[Ceejache]

Is anyone paying attention? ;-) No one is doubting the worthiness of the team, just that our defence needs strengthening and it is a concern that we have no out and out back up in centre defence as of yet. Our defence is only slightly above average in Conference terms and it needs to be better if we are going to deliver what we are all dreaming of this season. One resolute defensive display against the champions doesn't mean we have a mean defence as against some other class sides (and some not so class ones) we were getting penetrated frighteningly often and only some poor finishing spared us - we conceded five to Northwich over the two fixtures. Another sign that we struggled at the back was the amount of yellows and reds that we picked up - now I know that we were the victims of **** poor reffing at times yet some were the result of the back four struggling to deal with the step up in attacking class, no doubt this year will see a better drilled back four in that respect and the years experience will have done some good. I have seen some good defensive displays by us over the last year, but these obviously weren't often enough hence our 10th place (which, of course, was an excellent placing in our first season). Our defence isn't bad by a long way, it is certainly not in the bottom 8/10 teams, BUT can you honestly rank our defence in the top 5 (thats were we need to be this season).

I'm not trying to be negative or contrary just for the sake of it - I am just trying to be candid and objective (which of course is difficult when your footy team is the subject I agree!).