With Pre-Season concluded and less than a week away from the season’s opener, here at Spencer Reds I will discuss my season preview on what we can expect. This blog aims to analyse new Manager Mark Jones, predict the top goal scorer and young player of the year award alongside delving into a case study into the importance of survival and not fall into the famous footballing saying, “Second Season Syndrome”.
Mark Jones
After the Success of Andy Whing’s tenure at the Puritans, it was paramount for the board to appoint a manager who can aid and develop the foundations set, not just on the pitch but growing the club off the pitch too. This led the club to Mark Jones as Banbury United was drawn to Jones' National League experience, recognising the importance of having a manager who understands the unique challenges and demands of that level of football. His time spent at various clubs, including those with higher league status, has provided him with the tools necessary to take the reins at Banbury United.
Since Mark took over, he has already overcome multiple challenges as he was left with only two players from the previous season agreeing to sign on for the forthcoming season. Mark has subjugated this adversity astutely in his limited time at the club as he has now recruited a squad mixed with experience and youth thus following on the pathway for youngsters to express themselves at the Puritans to propel themselves back into full time football. Jones expressed his background is very much in coaching and development and working with younger players to develop them, noting that this is a strength of his. With Banbury Signing ex Shrewsbury player Josh Barlow and Craig Hewitt returning, the Townenders can be excited to watch their development over the course of the season through the gaffer’s stewardship.
Since the 1st pre-season game at Easington, Jones has dwindled the squad full of trialist from 24 down to 13 with a handful of trialist still in the frame to be signed on to add further depth in the squad together with using his connections to utilise the loan market. Jones discussed his use of contacts in Pre-season “When I got the job, myself and Chris Hackett [Oxford United academy coach] messaged each other to explore the opportunity for their players to come and play National League North football, and that’s something we’ll keep discussing.” This shows the Banbury and Oxford connection retains strength and the puritan faithful can be excited for any young prospects sent to OX16 as the productivity of previous loans spells of James Golding and Aidan Elliott -Wheeler presents fans hope that another gem could be on their way.
Following on from his predecessor, Mark Jones has followed on the possession-based football with various adaptability in a couple of formations. Across the 6 friendlies, it was evident to see a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3 being deployed thus showing we are looking to dominate the midfield with Maye sitting at the base for protection creating the licence for D’ath and Barlow to support the attackers. With the versality of numerous signings has helped Mark be interchangeable with formations in game without a change of personnel, highlighting Banbury have multiple ways to put on a show this season. This can be seen as fans have witnessed numerous players performing in other areas of the pitch such as Tai Fleming can operate in centre back, Right back and at the base of the midfield, Jack Davies is comfortable performing in a left side of a 3 or at left back in a flat 4 and Yonis Farah can provide energy down the left side regardless if he's at wing back or in a back 4.
As mentioned, the style of play operated in pre-season, is possession-based football but with a keen eye on getting the ball forward quickly. This has been evident through switching the play with ‘DIAGS’ (A Long diagonal ball) from Finn Tapp in defence releasing the wingers to get at the opposition quickly and fluidly to exploit spaces in the attacking third. Secondly, developing further on the tactic ‘possession with an impetus of playing forwards quickly’ Banbury have been witnessed to pass through the lines to allow the midfield trio to get on the ball as well utilise the physical presence of Ken Charles or Tope upfront to allow the wingbacks/wingers and midfielders to join the attack. Lastly, what we can expect from Mark Jones’ side is hard work, the players are expected to run and press and be physically fit to meet the demands of the gruelling season step 2 presents itself each year.
Top Goal scorer
I have deliberated on this between Tope and Ken Charles for Top goal scorer this season as they both have got a range of attributes to excel in the forward positions and ultimately score a lot of goals. I believe 22-year-old Ken Charles will pick up the club’s golden boot award this season, as in pre-season he has been a handful for defenders with his interplay, aerial prowess, positioning in the box and willingness to shoot. He has already proved he can perform at this level with his loan stint with relegated Cheshunt where he scored 9 goals in 24 games. To put this in perspective, Cheshunt only scored 19 goals in the 24 games Charles played, showing King ken can score goals despite limited service. Under the guidance of Mark Jones, Ken will have the opportunity to play alongside talented attackers like Tope and Hewitt in conjunction with a creative midfield trio in behind which will enhance his goal-scoring opportunities even further. His potential to flourish in front of goal, combined with the team's supportive environment, makes him the prime candidate for the Clubs top goal scorer.
The Young Star
Again, I pondered on Josh Barlow and Craig Hewitt for the Young star, yet I went for the Ex-Shrewsbury Midfielder Josh Barlow. Craig will undoubtably have an impressive season with his blistering speed, dribbling and fearless displays yet I have also been impressed with Josh Barlow. Despite his young age, Barlow plays with an old head on young shoulders as he is very relaxed on the ball and likes to play forward. Josh is at the forefront of the tactics of keeping possession due to his passing range and possesses the ability to play the ball in between the lines as he has shown to thread the ball through tight spaces. During pre-season JB has found himself on the scoresheet once as well as not shy to open fire at the goal from distance which will be an asset to have as Barlow will be keen to add goals to his game helping alleviate the pressure from the frontmen. Lastly, with the guidance of playing alongside senior pro Lawson D’ath this can help Barlow propel to new heights in his development helping him to become one of Banbury’s standout stars of the season.
Second Season Syndrome?
Despite the adulation of winning the league at a canter in 21/22, surviving in the National League North is an achievement just as significant if not more important than the league title win and the same again will be the objective this season for BUFC. Come end of April if Banbury have swerved the drop, it will be seen as a successful season for the club as we are competing with astronomical budgets. Hereford raised over 60k from fan donations with Chester and Darlington raising £116,000 and £162,000 respectively proving the clubs benefitting from their fanbases they gained from their ex-football league days. Despite the big budgets, Banbury's rebuild looks promising with ex-football league stars Lawson D’ath and Tope bring a wealth of experience alongside a range of young talent who have already plied their trade at step 2 such as Jack Davies, Tai Fleming, Ken Charles and Finn Tapp. This means as the season develops game by game, we could end up looking further up the table.
However, back to the importance of maintaining survival and not going into second season syndrome. Second season syndrome is described as a ‘downturn in form suffered by a team in their second season after promotion, having performed relatively well in their first season’. There have been a few examples of this in the National League North and the Case study I will examine is Lowestoft Town. The team from Suffolk earned promotion to the NLN in 2014 and finished in a similar position to Banbury as Lowestoft finished 3 places above the drop with a 6-point cushion. However, in their next season they were relegated from step 2 creating a catastrophic effect on the club. Following relegation, the Trawler boys plummeted to midtable at step 3 and eventually after plateauing as a mid-table side saw relegation from step 3 just 5 years after the heights of step 2. Not only did the success on the pitch diminish away but also did the crowds thus effecting their culture of the club and playing budget. During their time in the NLN the Suffolk side boasted an average of 660 through the gate and this had deteriorated to crowds of 370 in their relegation season from step 3.
Lowestoft Town situation could share multiple comparisons to Banbury if we fall into the second season syndrome category. Banbury are on the cusp on rising after the sleeping giant of the town is finally awakening with crowds of over 1000 have been attracted in, memberships are increasing, and a new grandstand has improved the stadium not only on the naked eye but in capacity too. With all this in mind, it is paramount Banbury maintain our status at step 2 in Mark Jones’ rebuild season to ensure United’s status in the community is at the forefront raising the profile on and off the pitch. If the club saw relegation, the Lowestoft town comparison could become a reality and the process will have to hit the reset button. However, I am an optimist and I have every belief we will not suffer with 2nd season syndrome.
Overall
Overall, Mark Jones possesses all the qualities needed to lead the red and gold army to a successful season as his experience, tactical knowledge, and connections will greatly benefit Banbury. The signings made during pre-season show promise and will improve with regained match fitness which we saw with a great victory over step 1 opposition Maidenhead United. With a new season and a new team, let's fill the terraces and get ready for an exciting season ahead. WATCHING BANBURY UNITED……..
Thank you for reading, please like, comment and Retweet/share as always. Also comment who you think is going to be our top goal scorer and young player of the year.
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