Tom Talks Part One: Good start but patience required

After seeing his Spartans side begin their Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season with a four game unbeaten run Tom Wade insisted that everyone connected with the club has to show patience. The former Gateshead manager pointed to the "reality" check of coming close to a first defeat in Monday's 1-1 draw at Stocksbridge Park Steels as a sign that the side are still very much a work in progress, however insisted that he and Assistant Manager Colin Myers would get it right.

"We are very happy but we could have had the maximum twelve points but this is where we are. We are a young side, a growing side and there will be times when we are up against it like on Monday at Stocksbridge when we were close to defeat, that has to be a reality check for us. It's going to be tough and the lack of experience and the reality of the league means we have been punished for not finishing teams off but both myself and Colin know that will come in time"

One aspect of Spartans start to the season that seems to have pleased those connected with the club is the style of play that Wade and Myers have instilled in their side. The early signs seem to show that the side are playing a more patient but exciting style of play with several new additions making an impact during the opening stages of the season. Wade pointed to the quality Spartans possess in the middle of the park as the key ingredient to helping the side express themselves fully.

"There will be times when we have to go long but what we are doing is if we have to go long we are doing it into the channels and getting our quicker lads to push on. With the likes of quality of the likes of Neal Hooks, Matty Wade, Damen Mullen and Craig Hubbard we have good footballers in midfield so they don't want the ball sailing over their heads. We have played some great football and we can only improve because that's the way we want to play the game"

No fewer than thirteen players have joined the club during the summer in what has been a hectic pre-season. With the majority of the signings being younger players there have been concerns that a lack of experience may cost Spartans but Wade feels that he has the blend of youth and experience to ensure his side can have a positive season.

"We have a lot of enthusiasm and a great set of lads here. They've all come in and the spirit is great, they are all working hard for each other, for the club and for the fans. Colin(Myers) has them working and believing in themselves and that's massive for young lads. They look up to the senior players and there is some peer pressure to perform. The senior players have been brilliant but we have been around long enough to know it will be up and down this season but hopefully there will be more ups."