A place in the Evo-Stik League First Division South play-offs has to be the aim for Spalding United this season.
That’s the verdict of ambitious boss Pat Rayment, who takes his Tulips side to Romulus on Saturday (3pm) for their first league game of the new campaign.
Rayment always starts each season with the aim of bettering the last. And, given that Spalding finished just two points shy of the play-offs last year, it’s a very reasonable goal this time around.
However, the Tulips chief does feel that the division is much stronger this year.
“The aim for every year is to improve on the last,” said Rayment. “We finished seventh and took the play-off race to the last day, so obviously we’ll look to be in the picture this time.
“It’s going to be a hard league to predict. I’m aware that there are a lot of big budgets this year, so I’m expecting the standard to go through the roof.
“We’re a new-look team, so the initial aim is to get off to a good start and attempt to build from there.”
Ironically, the Tulips both finished and started last season at Romulus’ 4G Coles Lane base, which they share with Sutton Coldfield Town.
Rayment’s men were beaten 2-0 by Sutton in their opener, then lost 3-0 at Romulus on the final day to see their promotion dreams crushed.
Spalding now train at Yaxley’s 4G facilty once a week, so the boss feels they are better prepared this year.
He added: “We ran into Romulus at the worst-possible time last year. They finished the season as the league’s form side and beat us comfortably.
“Saying that, the majority of that Spalding side had given up by then – hence why most of them have been moved on and replaced.
“We’ve done a lot of preparation on Yaxley’s pitch and we feel ready to give a better account of ourselves on that surface.
“I think we’re better equipped to deal with the elements, too. Our side is much younger and more expansive now, so the 4G should suit our style.”
The new-look Tulips signed off their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 loss at Skegness Town on Saturday – and Rayment does feel they’ve flattered to deceive in their friendly fixtures.
He’s promising that fans will never be bored at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, with his youthful side looking to play fast, attacking football.
But the Spalding supremo is angry that he and his side have had to wait a week longer than everyone else to kick-off their campaign.
“What an anti-climax Saturday will be,” bemoaned Rayment. “Seeing everyone else get excited about last weekend was weird.
“We’ve got to play more games than the likes of the UCL, yet we start a week later. Work that one out! It’s very odd, verging on lunacy.
“I am looking forward to playing some competitive football, though. Pre-season is always patchy.
“We desperately need this side to gel together – and the only way to do that is by playing proper games.
“We’ve made a lot of changes and replaced experienced heads with youngsters. The fans will have to bear with us, we’ll be a different side.
“We’ll play an expansive, fast and exciting brand of football. Now the club is established as a step four side that can compete at the top, we’ll hopefully be able to attract more players in the future too.”
Spalding are still searching for a new central defender, with key man Nathan Stainfield still sidelined with a long-term injury.
He misses the Romulus trip and Tuesday’s home date with Loughborough Dynamo (7.45pm).
Midfielder Dan Banister is also likely to miss both matches.
Meanwhile, Spalding have signed former Hull City midfielder Jack Barlow.
Barlow once famously moved to the Tigers from Grimsby Town for close to £100k and was linked with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City.
He could feature on Saturday.
