THE seasons may change at the Butchers Arms but the question doesn’t. Can this be the year when Droylsden finally put their relegation problems behind them and start heading back up the non-league pyramid?
Assistant-boss Aeon Lattie is cautiously hopeful that it just might. He believes an enterprising end to the last campaign — when the Bloods lost only one of their last five matches, drawing with Farsley and beating champions Lancaster — promises better times ahead.
Droylsden’s midtable placing was their best since 2011-12 when they finished ninth in National League North.
“I’m a bit more optimistic than usual, and that’s on the basis of where we finished last year. We were on a run and even had a chance of making it to the play-offs at one point,” said Lattie.
“Another reason is that we’ve kept the majority of the squad from last season. We can pick up where we left off. We’re not starting with 20 new players like we did 12 months ago.
“Several of the signings we’ve made are men who’ve been with us before, like Ben Barber and Alex Frost, who understand our style of play.
“We still need to bolster three positions and make sure they’re right, but that’s all I’m prepared to say on that at the moment.”
The summer signings made by Lattie and manager/chairman Dave Pace include a sprinkling of entirely new faces.
Striker Danny Hall has moved from Stalybridge Celtic and Lattie says he has adapted well to the Bloods’ style of play. The same applies to midfielder Wayne Riley, brought in from Nantwich Town.
Another midfielder, George Leigh, has been signed from Stirling Albion as back-up. Goalkeeping coach Will Jones has also put his name to a form although James Coates will continue to be first choice for the number-one jersey.
In a stroke of bad luck, Clitheroe striker Dimitri Tuanzebe is out for a lengthy period. He broke a foot playing five-a-side and won’t be able to take off the walking boot until next week.
Lattie continued: “I think we’ve got the nucleus of a good side and I’m happy with the way things are.
“If we’re going to do well it’s important we get off to a good start. But what we’ve also got to do is make the Butchers Arms a fortress as it was in the past. That’s the key.
“Last season we won most of our points in away matches. Our home form was way below target.
“The friendlies have given us cause for hope. I realise they can give you a false sense of security, as they did last year when we won every one. This time we’ve played stronger teams like Stalybridge, Ashton United and Witton and we acquitted ourselves well — even against Stalybridge although the result would say otherwise.
“Dave and I set out to win the title at the start of every season and this year is no different.”