Ian Allinson believes he has got the perfect balance in his St Albans City squad ahead of their first Vanarama National League South fixture – even if he would like to add another forward

Saints go to Oxford City on Saturday on the back of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Hitchin Town in the Herts Charity Cup.

But the City boss is happy with how pre-season has gone and what the make-up of his team.

He said: “The balance of the squad is good and we’ve got players who can fit in all over the park.

“It’s only going to be a 17, 18-man-squad. We’re not in a position to carry a massive squad and if we can get an additional forward in that will be great. If not we’ll see where we are.

“That’s the squad, we have to get on with it and we can’t moan about it. But like last season we’ll assess it after 10 or so games.”

That desire for an extra forward comes from the fact that despite others who can play in that position, Sam Merson and Charlie Walker are the club’s only two recognised front men.

And Allinson knows that strike power will be vital in the season to come.

“It’s something we’ll have to look at but I’m not going to panic before the weekend,” he said.

“I like the balance of the squad and I like the shape.

“I know we can play two or three systems now, which is important, and we’ve got some good, explosive players.

“The one thing we have to do is turn some of our possession into goals.

“It also allows me to have two players up front which is something I have to look at because we will have games where we have to go and score goals.

“They’ve given us seven places for a play-off and that’s what we’ve got to target.

“This year we’ve got to get moving and take the game to the opposition and pick up as many goals as we can.”

City did score two good goals at Top Field on Tuesday night and Allinson was still pleased with the performance against Hitchin, even with Saints’ exit from the competition.

“Hitchin could have playing against us in the league this season if they’d beat Leamington,” he added.

“But they have a very good team and to come here a get a 2-2 draw, even though we lost on penalties, I was more than happy.”