Spartans finally get their 2014/15 Evo-Stik Northern Premier League campaign underway on Saturday as they welcome Grantham Town to Croft Park. Ahead of the game defender Nathan Buddle and the former Hartlepool United man has called on the Green Army to continue making Croft Park “one of the most hostile places to play at” for opposing sides.
“Playing at Croft Park is something completely different to everywhere else in our league. For the opposition it has to be one of the most hostile places to come to. The Green Army really let their feelings be known and are our twelfth man; we really appreciate that and know they’ll be right behind us this season”
The game against the Gingerbreads is quickly followed by a tough looking away double header against Ashton United and Matlock Town. Buddle challenged his side to get off to a good start and stressed the importance of doing so.
“I think it’s hugely important to get off to a good start. We have got to get off on the right foot and begin as we mean to go on throughout the season”
An honest Buddle assessed his own pre-season campaign by saying he felt “slightly behind the pace”. However he was more positive about the performance of the team as a whole throughout past six weeks.
“For me personally I am not happy with my pre-season. I felt slightly off the pace but I am sure I will be back in the swing of things come Saturday. Overall though the team has been outstanding. The new lads have settled in straight away and we have added some real quality to our squad”
An unlikely play off challenge faltered under the pressure of a jam packed fixture schedule last season but Buddle feels that the play offs should be the “minimum target” this time out and pointed to the increased squad depth as the reason for his confidence.
“After seeing the performances and style of football we have played in pre-season, not to mention the depth of our squad, I think the minimum target has to be the play offs. Obviously we will take it game by game but I am sure we will do well”