Manager looks ahead to the new campaign with just hours to go
By Matty Paddock - 07/08/2026
Posted 2 hours ago
PAUL WOTTON says he “doesn’t give two hoots” that some are tipping his team for a season of struggle as 2026-27 gets underway at Hornchurch on Saturday.
Harriers return to the National League following last season’s promotion, with Wotton’s new-look squad beginning the campaign against the side promoted from National League South.
The Manager has seen his team complete pre-season unbeaten and without conceding a goal but insists the focus has always been on ensuring his players are ready for the competitive action.
“I can’t wait. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I feel like we’re ready, I feel like we’re fit and I feel like we’re together. The squad’s coming together nicely and I feel like we’re ready.
“The character and togetherness are getting better all the time. We’re becoming more of a group and spending a lot of time together.
“I can see the lads gelling and I can see them all getting on. People are coming out of their shells a little bit more. The natural leaders and the people who are a little bit quieter are all coming out of their shells as well.”
Harriers will begin the campaign against a Hornchurch side embarking on its first season at National League level, and Wotton knows exactly what to expect from a club he encountered during his time with Torquay United.
“You’re going to get a well-organised team with an excellent manager,” he explained.
“They’ve recruited well in the summer, they had a successful season last year and they’ve got a togetherness.
“They’ve got a squad that has been together for a little while now and they’ve got a wealth of experience as well, with some players who have been there and done it.
“It’s going to be as tough a first away game of the season as you can get, I think. There are two teams who succeeded last year. One team has stayed together and one team hasn’t.
“It’s a tough place to go. It’s not easy to go there and win.”
Despite seeing Harriers widely tipped to struggle on their return to the division, the Manager is paying little attention to predictions made elsewhere.
“Everywhere I see, we’re tipped to get relegated. Good,” he declared.
“I don’t give two hoots. I couldn’t give two hoots what somebody on a podcast says.
“Those people on those podcasts making those predictions, I have definitely never seen them play football, so I’m not fussed.”
He added: “The real stuff starts on Saturday. I know we’ve got a good following going down there and the supporters’ buses are sold out.
“We’ll give everything we can to hopefully let the fans have a good trip home.”
This article is about: Management
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