Increased attacking threat will bolster title push, says Holleran

Brakes fell away after Christmas when the goals of Ben Mackey dried up before a late spurt secured a play-off spot.

But after bolstering his side’s attacking options with the addition of Ryan Rowe, Ahmed Obeng and Rob Thompson-Brown and seeing midfielder Darren Pond join from Oxford City, Holleran believes his squad are now better equipped to stay the course.

“I’m happy with the way things are,” said Holleran who missed Brakes’ 2-1 friendly defeat to Worcester City because of a holiday in Ireland.

“The balance is not far away.

“The defence remains solid and the addition of Darren Pond gives us a bit more in attack.

“With Robbie, Ryan and Ahmed we’ve now got plenty of options.

“It’s important we get more goals from our attacking midfielders – that will be key for us.

“We still don’t want to lose our work ethic and solid defence but we’ve got to score more goals from all over the pitch.

“If more players can chip in with goals we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

Leamington kick off their Southern Premier campaign at home to Cirencester tomorrow before making the trip to Kettering on Tuesday evening.

The Poppies are one of the sides Holleran has earmarked as potential title rivals but he admits up to half the division will fancy their chances of a promotion push.

“It will take a while to settle down but there will be the few sides that went close last year, Hitchin, Redditch, Weymouth and Kettering.

“Chesham are a good side and I expect them to bounce back and be a threat.

“Then there are the sides who have come down from the Conference – Basingstoke remain a full-time side.

“And there is King’s Lynn. I could reel off ten teams off the top of my head.

“The finances are filtering down and it’s going to be tough to mount a challenge

“But if players like Rowe and Ahmed can get back to the levels they can be it will stand us in good stead.”