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It's noses back to the grindstone time again for the Men in Red after quite a good run of results in the pre-season games. Wins against Walsall, Worcester, Redditch and the Swifts followed defeats against the West Country trio of Gloucester, Cinderford and Bristol City.
We started with a squad that could barely be called that but after doubts amongst the fans Jan has done the business and built a fine squad in just a few weeks.
After the massacre of last seasons squad when we saw a host of old favourites leave we now have, on paper, an exciting attack minded squad. Jan hasn't forgotten the defence though and once Reuben Hazell is fit we will be pretty solid at the back.
Let's not be hasty though, we haven't really played a real game yet so lets just give them time to gel.
We all know that Rushden came down last season after only one term in Division Two so I won't dwell on that. Oh! my sides.
After spending most of the season in mid-table they suddenly plummeted down to the bottom when chairman Max Griggs withdrew his backing and the manager, Brian Talbot, stayed in Oldham following a game, never to return.
The high paid members of the squad all left, including ex Harrier Marcus Bignot, and Rushden bought in the unknown Ernie Tippett as their new manager and, like Jan, he has had a massive job rebuilding his squad.
I won't go through the list here, it'll take too long, but we'll be seeing most of them on Saturday. Gareth Seddon and Robert Duffy will be missing through injury while Barry Hunter is suspended.
Ian Foster is suspended for us too after his stupidity against Northampton at the end of last season and Big Jan is also missing from the touchline after being 'sent off' at the Orient. On the injury front we'll be without Reuben Hazell and Abdou Sall so Jan has gone back to Swindon and borrowed Adrian Viveash for a month to solve the mini injury crisis.
John Danby and Lee Jenkins should be fit enough after missing a few friendlies.
It'll be good to go back to Nene Park, if only to take the rise out of some of their fans in the AirWair Stand who get a bit mouthy.
One warning. It's going to be an expensive day out. £17 to get in, £2 to park the motor, £2.50 for a programme and then there's a pint on top of that.
If you want a pint then find a pub. On no account buy a drink under the stand. It's putrid.
Teams
Harriers from:
Danby, D Lewis, Burton, Viveash, Hatswell, Mellon, McHale, Advice-Desruisseaux, Jenkins, Appleby, Keates, Diop, Christiansen, Gleeson, Brown, Rickards, Russell.
Rushden from:
Turley, Worgan, Connelly, Hawkins, Mills, Allen, Gier, Hay, Gray, Bell, Burgess, Dempster, Sambrook, Braniff, Talbot, Gulliver, Dove, Kelly, Okuonghae.
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