Blog: Hopes high for new AFC Telford season

A settled defence provides the foundation on which ?Telford will aim to build, writes Bucks fan Rob Hughes.

The 2012-13 season is almost upon us. In a way it has almost snuck up with Euro 2012, Wimbledon, the Olympics and anything else that might have caught sports fans slightly off guard.

For me though, the opening game for Telford is the highlight of the sporting calendar.

Sad I know, but there is something about the club, particularly since AFC Telford United was formed, that makes me want to follow them to far flung locations. The opening fixture at Barrow fills me with more than a few nervous thoughts. What will the season bring? How will we cope?

Have we learned valuable lessons from our first battle at this level?

At the moment, I feel we have a strong looking platform on which we can build.

We have one of the best keepers in the league in the form of Ryan Young and two solid full-backs, with youthful back up/competition. My concern is that if both first-team backs are unavailable for any reason, we don't have the experience to come in.

In central defence we have a couple of options – two seen in action for us last season – providing solid foundations.

Michael Briscoe has a wealth of experience at this level and we need him to hit the ground running, having missed most of pre-season with his broken nose.

I am confident we have a solid back five who know each others' games, but our attacking midfield has always been an area that we have needed to improve.

They have always been good at supporting a rearguard action, but to improve on last season I feel more quality is required.

We have some youthful exuberance in the middle with Davies and Rooney, and the latter hopefully being able to pull the strings, especially if given more game time.

In wide areas, Steve Jones at 36 is looking our chief tormentor, I just hope he can stay fit for at least 75 per cent of the season.

He has creativity, enthusiasm and hunger for the game. We have to hope Andy Sinton can steer him through games to ensure optimum fitness in a difficult campaign. Jon Brown should complement Jones and score goals. Hopefully, our youthful central midfield can get up in support of the lone central striker.

Trust in Lee Carter to ensure the club remains suitably run, that outgoings don't outweigh the incomings.

In Darren Read's capable hands the under-18s had an unbeaten pre-season with several excellent prospects.

With Andy Sinton operating with a smaller squad, some must surely get first-team experience.

I am quite excited at seeing a localprospect promoted. It has been a while since Elliot Durrell came in and scored on debut!

Now it is over to Andy Sinton to allow the players to go out and express themselves.

I'm sure that with the positivity and support of Bucks' fans, we will have the united ability to improve on last season's finish.

How much belief the individuals are given, will be crucial in how far we can go.

Let's now look on the new season with optimism, it's a fresh start, a clean slate.

See also:

• Ryan Young targeting milestone at AFC Telford

• Keeper next on AFC Telford wish-list

• AFC Telford snap up Shrewsbury Town old-boy Steven Leslie