GRIMSBY Town will definitely be challenging at the top of the Conference again – but it will be tough for Halifax to rival them this season.
That's the view of the Shaymen's assistant manager – and former Mariner – Lee Nogan.
The Welshman, who spent two seasons at Blundell Park, helped Neil Aspin to mastermind two victories over the Mariners, on Halifax's way to sealing a place in the play-offs.
But speaking to the Telegraph, Nogan admitted that, this time around, it's going to be difficult for his part-time outfit to replicate the success of what was the club's first season in the Conference Premier for five years.
"Being honest, we overachieved at Halifax last season and it's about handling the increased expectations now," he said.
"We're part-time – we train two nights a week – and people often don't realise that.
"We've got to be realistic – last season, initially we were just happy to survive and that's no disrespect to the players or being detrimental to them.
"But there are a lot of good professional teams in this league or teams who do three mornings a week, so are near enough full-time.
"There aren't many part-time clubs like us, doing what we're doing, so it's going to be tough this season.
"But if we finish mid-table, I think we'll have had another successful season."
On Town's chances this time around, he added: "Grimsby have always been known for playing good football within a 4-4-2 system – it's just always been that way.
"From what I've seen of them over the years, regardless of the managers who have come and gone, that philosophy has seemed to stay.
"We obviously pitted our wits against them last season and tried to come out on top, and managed it on both occasions, but they were both tough games.
"Grimsby will be up there again this season, no doubt about that.
"They've made some good signings so far and, like last season, they'll be one of the teams that everyone wants to beat.
"They got into the play-offs for the second season on the trot last year and Paul Hurst knows what it's all about.
"I fully expect them to be there or thereabouts this season."
