While Tamworth have powered emphatically to the National League North title this season, next year promises to be a much tougher affair.
Back in the National League for the first time since 2015, Andy Peaks side will have their eyes on at least matching the club’s best ever finish in that division of 15th place.
Blowing away all around them including pre-season full time favourites Scunthorpe United, the Lambs have been head and shoulders above the rest, but how will they fair in non-league’s top division?
Part time and hybrid teams are a rarity in what is predominantly a full time division and they will have their work cut out to compete. Maidenhead United are the example club to follow. Written off year after year, Alan Devonshire finds a way to get just enough to keep the Berkshire side competitive, the blueprint Peaks will need to take and identify how to make it fit.
Wealdstone and Dorking Wanderers will be others that Tamworth will look at, both sides also finding the going much tougher this year. Being able to adapt and prepared to change styles or tactics in order to get results has to be a must for part time clubs.
The Staffordshire-based side’s success this season has been built on a sound defensive platform; a mere 27 goals conceded over 44 games is outstanding. A run of nine clean sheets in a row from early January for keeper Jas Singh and his defenders further emphasises how Peaks has built from the back forwards in order for maximum effect to pick up points.
That defensive stability will be tested to the limit next year with full time sides able to spend more time on the training ground in a bid to find ways to break through and steal a march.
At the other end of the pitch, scoring goals has been shared around the team. Top scorer with 14 goals, Kyle Finn hasn’t been out of place across the division and comparing that with sides who are going to finish mid to lower placing in the top division, they can replicate that to enjoy a successful season and a building block for a long term future back in the top league.
Set plays become more important too, but there is only so much you can cram into a couple of hours on the training pitch. They will heavily rely on players absorbing a lot of information away from the pitch itself.
Peaks is unlikely to have one of the biggest budgets in the National League and stepping up a level to a much different standard will bring some squad changes. Having been in pole position for a majority of the campaign, eyes would have been on targets who can improve his team but fit into a mould that has won successive promotions.
With the potential of three more full time teams joining the Lambs in promotion from the North and South divisions, Tamworth will need a strong start to get points on the board and make their Lamb Ground a fortress as per this season. If they can fulfil both of those then they should comfortably survive the campaign.
A renowned non-league blogger and Barnet FC fan, Trevor covers National League divisions with expertise and passion.
