2025-2026 League Preview

Poppies in pre-season action

Well it seems a long time since "that" play-off final defeat to Telford where we had victory In our sights to only go and throw it away. It's been another summer of comings and goings at Latimer Park both on the pitch and in the dugout with yet another squad rebuild and a new manager, Simon Hollyhead who joined from league rivals Banbury United to replace the outgoing Richard Lavery.

Hollyhead arrived with hardly a glowing farewell from the Banbury supporters with tales of him being a very unapproachable guy who can be difficult with the media and who has a dull and negative style of football. I have to say having heard media Interviews with Simon and hearing him speak at the recent fans forum, and having a good chat with him after the forum he came across as anything but unapproachable and difficult. And from what I've seen of the side in pre-season the style wasn't dull or negative.

But I always try not to read to much into pre-season. I think some times supporters can read to much into the games and go into the "real stuff" thinking they are going to walk the league after what they have seen or end up scrapping down the bottom end due to some poor pre-season results. It's all about managers looking at his players and players getting fit and use to new systems and new team mates.

The Poppies have lost some really key players from last season. Ben Hart, Connor Johnson, Aaron Powell and Devon Kelly-Evans are four players that have left who would all, for me walk into any team in our division. Three of those (Hart, Johnson, Powell) were key members of the defence and from what I've seen in pre-season they look like they will be missed the most of any of the other departing players. Defensively we have looked a bit shaky, but it is a new defence so you can say they are building an understanding with each game. Powell's replacement, Shane Flynn does look an excellent signing.

Of the other new faces, midfielder Ismael Fatadjo has really impressed. He is very much in the Kelly-Evans mould how he is a proper terrier like midfielder who might be small in statue but loves a tackle and loves to break up play. He however suffered a badly broken arm in the last pre-season friendly and looks like he will be on the side lines for some time. That's a blow as I don't think there are any other midfielders in the squad that play in the style he does.

Up front I think we are blessed, we have for me the best front two in the division. Jamar Loza and Leon Lobjoit are an amazing partnership for this level. Between then they scored 50 goals in this division last season and in pre-season both have been scoring and both look to be building up a useful partnership. With our defence maybe not being the strongest we might have to outscore opponents to win games and Loza and Lobjoit give us a good chance of doing that.

Finally how will the new manager do?, I think one thing is certain he's the complete opposite of Richard Lavery. Lavs was a loud, in your face manager who would pound the touch line almost kicking every ball. Hollyhead I think is a more thinking manager, he's happy to sit back and take in what he's seeing from the team. I can't see him being a tea cup thrower like Lavs but will put his point across in a more controlled way. I just hope he's given a fair chance by the fans. We have a tough first two months of the season on paper and there might be a defeat or two along the way. But we have to stick with it.

My thoughts for the season are I'm not as expectant as I was last season. Last season I thought we could win the league and it was a big disappointment we didn't. I think this season we will fall short of the play-offs although one thing in our favour this season is I don't think there will be the pressure there was on us last season. That will be on the likes of Harborough, Spalding and Real Bedford who are all spending silly money on looking to gain promotion. With that less pressure on us and if we can get a bit more solid defensively then maybe a play-off place can be achieved.  That is not something I'm expecting however

THE IN'S AND OUT'S OVER THE SUMMER

INCOMINGS

Paul White - Goalkeeper (Rushall Olympic)

Leon Lobjoit - Striker (Bedford Town)

George Forsyth - Defender/Midfield (Banbury United)

Connor Stanley - Midfield (Banbury United)

Ismael Fatadjo - Midfield (Leiston)

Josh Humphrey (Banbury United)

Edmond Oppong - Striker (Mickleover)

Shane Flynn - Full-Back (Ballymena United)

Levi Andoh - Defender (York City)

Archie Crowther - Defender (King's Lynn Town) - Loan

Finlay Corrigan - Midfield (Dundee)

OUTGOINGS

Ben Hart (Spalding United)

Connor Johnson (Spalding United)

Aaron Powell (Peterborough United) - End of loan

Alex Gudger (Brackley Town) - End of loan

Dan Jezeph (Rushall Olympic)

Tyree Wilson (Barwell)

Devon Kelly-Evans (Harborough Town)

Sam McLintock (Peterborough Sports)

Kyle Storer (Alvechurch)

Luca Miller (Peterborough Sports)

Jonny Edwards (Hednesford Town)