Ossett Town manager John Reed. Picture: Mark Gledhill
John Reed is hopeful that Ossett Town can avoid a rocky Evo Stik Division One North season this time around.
Ossett went through a tough period at Christmas and found themselves sucked into the relegation battle until an upturn in form in January steered them from danger.
The Ingfielders eventually claimed 18th spot – a slide of ten places from the previous campaign and Reed has previously spoken of his disappointment.
However he believes his side can do much better and he told Non League Yorkshire: “I’m very optimistic and I don’t say any daft things.
“If you said to me ‘would you make the play-offs’? I’d say it would be a massive surprise to me if we were because we are going against teams with massive budgets compared with us.
“It is no secret and most people know that we have one of the lowest budgets in the league.
“I’m looking for us to be more mid-table if we can.
“I want to improve on last year and I would be disappointed if we can’t finish a better position than sixth bottom.
“I was disappointed in that, if I’m being honest. There were circumstances behind that, but we have moved on and we have a great spirit within the club at this moment in time.”
Reed’s pre-season recruitment has been relatively quiet until the last week.
Only Nathan Quinlan and Tom Morgan signed for Ossett in the early part of the summer.
Reed has signed Tyrone Gay, David Brown, Ryan Mottam-Henry and T’nique Fishley this week.
Reed added: “We played a lot of young players last season and now they’re a year older.
“Somebody said to me recently that I haven’t brought many in, but I didn’t need to plus the fact I can’t go and compete.
“The number of people I have thought I would get, but I have lost out and seen them go two leagues below on better money is unbelievable.
“I’m not crying in my milk, but I’m giving bare. However, myself, John Francis and Dave Merris think we have a side that can do better this year.
“We have a lot of pace in the side and a good spine which is massively important.
“Tom Morgan, Dave Merris, Steven Jeff, Nick Wood, Sam Akeroyd and Nathan Curtis give us an experienced spine and it is something we didn’t have last season for many reasons.
“We had to make a lot of changes last season which is something we’re not going to do this year.”
Ossett host Northwich Victoria on the opening day tomorrow.