How do Tonbridge Angels improve on mid-table?

Tonbridge Angels have once again finished in mid-table.

The Angels were one of the favourites to finish in a play-off position this year, but with one game of the regular season left they find themselves sitting in 13th position.

The 2023-24 campaign marks Jay Saunders’ second full season upon arriving at the club; last season they narrowly missed out on the top seven, finishing in 9th.

As such, the aim – already – for next season will be how they can bridge that gap and make it into the play-offs. Good question.

I have decided to look at areas where I think they may need to add during the summer, and suggest some targets that Jay Saunders should consider on his list.

Centre-Back – Michael Chambers (Dulwich Hamlet)

The first player on this list is someone who I have felt for a number of years is playing at a level below what they are capable of, and that is Dulwich Hamlet centre-back Michael Chambers. Especially with Kodi Lyons-Foster departing recently to join Worthing on a permanent deal, I think they need to add some experience and as such would consider the Hamlet man.

Chambers is no stranger to having played at a higher level, spending time with Wrexham in the National League and has also spent time with Bromley and on the books of Crystal Palace earlier in his career. He is currently on the books of Isthmian Premier League side Dulwich Hamlet, with Hayrettin’s side sitting in relative mid-table this term, and so in terms of providing a selling point of coming to Tonbridge Angels – a higher league – I think it could be a fairly easy sell.

The former Red Dragon would certainly provide Tonbridge Angels with an out-and-out defender. Physically strong, aggressive, a good size, someone who can engage in foot races, decent in the air and committed in the tackle; he provides them with a player in the classic mould of a no-nonsense defender, while perhaps providing them with a little more mobility than what they already have.

Experienced defender – Lewis Kinsella (Maidenhead United)

A simple glance at the league table will provide some direction as to what they need to add / improve on during the summer; their defence. Even with a player like Jonathan Henly in goal, they have conceded 64 goals in the league to leave them on a negative goal difference and only four sides in the top 14 places in the league have a worst “goals against” column.

I have already mentioned Michael Chambers as being a useful addition to their backline, and the next defender on this list is a defender who would be moving down in order to sign for The Angels; Maidenhead United left-back Lewis Kinsella.

Maidenhead United have once again made sure of another season in the fifth tier and left-back Lewis Kinsella has played a sparring role in those efforts with much of his game time this term coming in the form of a loan spell at Hayes and Yeading United. While he may not have hit the heights he would have liked at York Road, all of the reports I hear about Kinsella – coupled with what I have seen of the defender in the flesh – suggests that Kinsella is a player of ability and would be more than a coup for the National League South.

Kinsella is composed on the ball, has a lovely left-foot, can pick a pass and he defends smartly. Granted, he has had his injury worries, but I think he would represent a smart capture and given that his time at York Road is likely to be coming to an end, to pick him up on a free would be ideal.

Powerful Midfielder – Siju Odelusi (Aveley)

If Tonbridge Angels are going to bridge the gap between mid-table and the play-offs, Jay Saunders is going to have to go and make a statement signing that is capable of taking them to the next level. The player that I think could well do that is Aveley midfielder Siju Odelusi.

While one may reference the fact that Aveley are sitting on the edge of the play-offs and form the opinion as to why Odelusi wouldn’t want to swap that for a side who are seemingly no better off – at least in league standings – I feel Tonbridge Angels could potentially be able to offer him a better financial deal than he has at Aveley. The Angels are by no means heavy hitters in a financial sense, but Aveley are one of the lowest budgets in the league and Saunders may be able to make him a credible offer.

In terms of what I think Tonbridge Angels are crying out for in terms of profile, Odelusi ticks a lot of boxes and feel that he is the perfect option capable of transforming their midfield. Odelusi gives them the physical and power that they lack, provides an obvious goal threat in making clever runs from deep and arriving into the box, and offers Saunders a box-to-box player who will only strengthen them defensively while on the other hand making them a better force in attack.

Winger #1 – Luke Coulson (Dartford)

With Tonbridge Angels without the serious financial clout of some of the other sides in the National League South, one avenue that Tonbridge Angels could look to use during the summer when it comes to recruitment is signing players from the relegated sides. One player who may be of interest – a player who I feel is still hugely capable at this level – is Luke Coulson.

Coulson is an experienced player, one that has played at a higher level before, and more pertinently has two successive campaigns in the sixth tier under his belt. Indeed, he has once again made North of 40 appearances for Dartford this term, and is one away from the 50 mark in all competitions.

The midfielder has had a good season individually while the team as a collective have underachieved, registering a decent return of 12 goals. With The Darts having been relegated, I would imagine that at the age he is – still only 30 years of age – and considering his ability, he will want to remain at this level at the very least. As such, I expect him to depart Princes Park.

Coulson can be used as a more conventional wide player, or – given his technical competencies – I feel he can be used more centrally, too. He brings experience of winning, and the fact that he has managed to produce such good numbers in a team that otherwise haven’t is indicative of his superior quality. If he is going to remain at National League South level, Tonbridge Angel makes geographical sense given his role within the Bromley Academy. He has a lot of “ticks in the box” and should be a priority.

Winger #2 – Kalvin Lumbombo Kalala (Lewes)

Tonbridge Angels are a side that I categorise as being a “steady” side; they are always going to be hard-working, difficult to beat, well-organised and perhaps one that trades fashion for function. However, if they are going to go and get promoted, they need to add that player of real quality and in particular one that can make them a better side going forward.

The player that I feel Saunders should look towards is Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala. As a Torquay United fan, I know all to well about what the French winger offers and I stand by my view that he is one of the best players I’ve had the genuine pleasure of watching at this level in recent years. When he is operating at his best, there aren’t many defenders that are able to stop him in his tracks.

The winger has dropped down into the Isthmian Premier League and signed for Lewes in recent years; that is without a doubt a step – or two, maybe three – where his talent is befitting of. Lewes have finished the season in mid-table and so I think the winger may be looking to move on during the summer and seek a move up the pyramid for where his ability suits. If that is the case, I’d be trying to get to the front of that queue if I was Jay Saunders.

Striker #1 – Nathan Odokonyero (Ebbsfleet United)

Every team that is going to get promoted needs to add a striker that is capable of scoring 15-20 goals in a campaign. The first striker that I think Jay Saunders should go for is a player who has spent much of the campaign on loan with The Angels in the form youngster Nathan Odokonyero.

Odokonyero is on the books of National League outfit Ebbsfleet United, after he signed from Bognor Regis Town in the summer. Despite not being able to make a name for himself with Ebbsfleet United, I think that there is a talented player there; I held that view when Odokonyero was playing for The Rocks and that view doesn’t change now. Indeed, from what I have seen of the striker during his time with Tonbridge Angels, it has only reinforced my view.

Since Danny Searle has taken over at Ebbsfleet United, Odokonyero has not been in his plans and so regardless of whether they remain in the National League or are indeed in the sixth tier next year, I don’t think that Odokonyero will be kept on and will depart in search of regular first-team minutes. Given that he has spent time out on loan with Tonbridge Angels this season, I think there is a very good chance that Jay Saunders will want to re-sign the front man and more than likely may land.

Since Jay Saunders has been at Tonbridge Angels, Saunders has made use of Jordan Greenidge primarily prior to his departure earlier in the season. Jordan Greenidge had a decent return, but I felt that there were limitations in the front man and so in fact I feel that signing a player of Nathan Odokonyero ticks all of the boxes and provides an upgrade on the former striker; he maintains the physical profile, while providing greater mobility, better movement and more of a rounded skillset.

Striker #2 – Greg Luer (Worthing)

One thing that I think Tonbridge Angels have missed at the top end of the pitch this term is that little bit of nous and knowhow of how to lead the line; more so than anything the experience of getting out of the division. As such, I think that The Angels should go in for Worthing front man Greg Luer.

Greg Luer is currently with Worthing, who are of course still very much in the mix for promotion via the play-offs. Luer has found minutes tough to come by this term – with his involvement limited largely from the bench – given the form of Ollie Pearce and the emergence of Bradley Dolaghan, amongst other factors. As such, regardless of whether or not they are indeed promoted, I think that the forward may look to move on.

In the same way that Luer has proven to be of value for Worthing this season in coming off the bench to lead the line with his experience and understanding of the game, I feel those skillsets would be of value to Tonbridge Angels to help them try and build on a mid-table standing and push for promotion. Coming off the bench and managing games, providing a focal point in the big games when composure is required, and offering an alternative option in the final third.

Luer has experience of being promoted from the division before in 2018-19 with Woking, and so he already has the previous of how to get out of the league at the right end; that first-hand experience may be of benefit for an Angels side looking to do similar. One thing that Luer does provide to Saunders’ side is the intelligent, well-rounded game understanding that Angels need at the top of the pitch. Every top team has that wily player in the final third, and Luer provides that.