After learning that his Spartans side had been handed a tough first game away at Marine this season Tom Wade was honest in his assessment of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, stating that the league is much stronger than last season. The likes of Kendal Town and Eastwood Town were relegated and have been replaced by Trafford, Barwell, Kings Lynn Town and Stamford and Wade thinks it will make for a tougher competition.
“It’s a tough tough league and I was looking at the teams last night and there is a lot of quality in there this year. There really are no easy games, none at all, the teams at the bottom last year are gone and the teams who have replaced them are stronger so it’s going to be tough no doubt about it.”
Spartans suffered a heavy defeat at the Arriva Stadium last time they faced Marine but Wade wants his side to be positive heading into the first game before making the most of a Croft Park double header in the first week of the season. Newly promoted Trafford and last season’s opponents Worksop Town travel to Blyth and Wade wants everyone at the club to play their part in helping Spartans start the season with a bang.
“We were poor there last year and they are a big strong side so it is a tough start but we have to look forward to it and give it a good go. After that with two home games and we have to take home advantage. The support for us here is massive and it’s really special when they get behind us, the young lads will grow into the club when they hear that.”
With many of Wade’s new additions new to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League many have speculated as to how the players will settle into the league and the Spartans manager feels that only time will tell how they will react. However he backed his squad to show what they can do and is “confident” that they will match up to his expectations.
“It’s a suck it and see situation for us, the lads have come in and done really well pre-season and in training but we appreciate it’s a totally different situation in competitive games. When the games come and the pressure comes it is tough but once we have the first eight games out of the way we will have learnt a lot about the new lads and I’m confident they will do us proud.”