1. Us the remaining warm up games properly and play the players who will be starting in the opening league game from the start. Taking aside some games listed as a Lincoln City XI, we in reality have two games left before the Exeter opener. Those games against Grimsby and Blackburn should now be about getting the team to work as a team. Getting minutes into legs is important but we are now at the stage where players need to properly form those on the pitch bonds that will be vital. We have a new goalkeeper (again) and he will need to know and trust the defenders directly in front of him. Whether to stick or twist on crosses will depend upon having that knowledge of the abilities of the central defenders to deal with high balls. Those defenders will need to know when the keeper will come and get them. Attackers need to know where their team-mates are and where they will prefer the ball to be played. Over the top, to feet or into space. These two games before the Exeter match will be key in getting those partnerships and understandings working so use the players who will start a week on Saturday.
2. Use substitutions properly. We will be allowed to make 5 substitutions again this season and how they are used will be important as the season progresses. It may sound somewhat cynical to suggest that the flow of a game can be easily disrupted by making that many substitutions, but if you are holding onto a narrow lead, such tactical considerations must be made in order to succeed. Also we have a couple of players in Kendall and Adelakun who just might be better as impact subs coming on with twenty minutes to play to get at tiring defenders. How we use substitutes this season will be interesting. Get it right and you'll end up earning more points as the season progresses.
3. One for the supporters. Give the lads your full support for the 90 minutes. As is the way of football nowadays, the first match will be again be full of players who will be making their debuts and in front of a likely full house. Many seem underwhelmed with how the squad currently stands. We saw last season how expectations can dilute performances if things don't go well. I do think that those expectations are very much lower than they were this time last season but supporters will still be quick to vent their spleens over a pass back to the goalkeeper from an attacking free kick in the opposition half. Give the lads the chance to play as we hope they can. Mark Kennedy has said how he wants to play the game and that is with a high press and speed. That bodes well, but that kind of game is difficult to do for the whole match especially if the current temperature endure. Patience will be needed in the stands. Get behind the players folks.
