Leatherhead boss Richard Brady believes the first month of the new Ryman Division One South season is all about avoiding the “head-rush”.
The Tanners open their campaign at Ramsgate on Saturday, followed by Corinthian Casuals and Peacehaven & Telscombe at Fetcham Grove on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.
Brady has recruited over the summer, including goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim from last season’s play-off winners Maidstone United, although he insisted the remaining core of last season’s squad will be just as important as the new boys.
However, how the team will gel and how it will perform will not be clear until the glut of seven matches before the end of August is completed.
Brady said: “It will take some time to see where you are as a team, and by the end of August we’ll have more of an idea where we stand.
“The first few games of the season are always a head-rush, and everyone seems to go a bit crazy.
“You always get odd results that, come September or October, look completely out of context.”
He added: “What we have to do is take each game as it comes, it’s a cliché, but we have to play ourselves into the season.
“If we can stay calm and level-headed, then it will give us a good grounding for what is a very long season.”
Driving force: Paul Semakula tries to free himself of the Welling United midfield SP78317
Clear: Jamie Coyle prepares to end a Welling United attack SP78317
Blank: Kev Terry missed out on any goals in Saturday's 3-0 defeat SP78317
Man mountain: Keeping hold of defender Neil Jenkins is a major boost to the Tanners new campaign SP78317
Goals in them boots? Can Allan Tait get the goals to fire Leatherhead up the table this season SP78317
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here