Football Season Guide

There is a growing sense of disharmony at Huish Park following a disappointing 2016/17 season. They won just 3 of their last 27 league matches to finish in a lowly 20th place in the League Two table and the pressure is on manager Darren Way to oversee a considerable improvement this season. Way has come in for particular criticism for his side’s unattractive style of play and has endured a tough summer with defender Alex Lacey rejecting the offer of a new deal to join League One side Gillingham. He was one of a trio of players to turn down new contracts with influential midfielders Kevin Dawson and Matty Dolan choosing to sign for Cheltenham Town and Newport County respectively, despite both clubs having finished below them in the table. Way will be especially pleased to have persuaded influential winger Otis Khan to sign a new deal, having been sorely missed during his three months out with an ankle injury. Leading goalscorer Francois Zoko has also signed a new contract this summer and although it can be difficult to attract players to this part of deepest, darkest Somerset they have succeeded in bringing midfielder Jake Gray and winger Rhys Browne from Luton Town and Grimsby Town respectively for undisclosed fees. Midfielders, Connor Smith and James Bailey, have arrived from Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United respectively whilst Daniel Alfei will replace departed Swansea City loanee Liam Shephard at right-back. The Glovers have taken a gamble on young Southampton striker Olufela Olomola in a loan deal. Despite that the Glovers still look a little short of firepower and Way will still be looking to add to his squad. Crowds have continued to dwindle at Huish Park with Chairman and owner John Fry increasingly on the receiving end of fans' wrath. It has created a dark atmosphere around the club which is unlikely to help Way turn their fortunes around this season.