HOOKER Jamie Folan says that Basingstoke’s results during the rest of October could have a big bearing on the way their season turns out.

’Stoke have made a slow start to the season but have games against several of the sides just above them in the table coming up – including a trip to fellow strugglers Tring on Saturday.

“It is vital that we beat Tring,” Folan said. “Both games against them last season were big contests so it will not be easy.

“We have already said that October is going to be a key month of fixtures for us. We will really be able to tell what way the season is going to go from how we get on and it could be a turning point.”

There were a lot of changes around Down Grange over the summer, with Junior Paramore replacing Jim Kelly as coach and a number of experienced players hanging up their boots.

Paramore has been forced to build a side almost from scratch and Folan, who is 22 and a product of the club’s youth system, believes that this is the reason behind Basingstoke’s bad start to the campaign.

“The new guys just need to bed in,” he said. “It is almost a completely new squad compared to last year and there are only a couple of us left from last season so it is just taking us time to get going.

“Things are going the right way though. We have played some good rugby and scored some good tries and it just needs to all come together over 80 minutes.

“Consistency is the key because we know we can do it. I do not see why we should not start winning games and move up the table.

“Barnes will be one of the top teams in the league this season but we made it a battle for the whole game when we played them. If we can play like that against the mid-table teams we will start to get more wins.

“Our attack looks good but in defence all of the new partnerships need to work out what works for them and put it into practice in the games. That is where we are getting caught out and we are working on the patterns in training.”

Having been on the bench at the start of the season, Folan has forced his way into the first XV – and he plans to stay there.

“I did not play much at the end of last season and was late back to training because I had a lot of commitments over the summer,” he explained. “I missed the first couple of games but have got my place now and am pleased with the way I have been playing.

“Our set pieces have been pretty good and the front row has been doing well, even against the likes of Barnes, who have been dominating other sides.

“The lineout has been a bit hit and miss. The calls are different from last year and we have new people involved but we have a good lineout unit and it’s just a case of getting everybody to sing off of the same hymn sheet.”

The season may not have got off to the best of starts – but Folan has certainly taken to the new coach.

“I have been very impressed by Junior,” Folan added. “You can tell that he played at the top level and he really puts his experience into practice.

“Junior has brought a real sense of professionalism to the club. Because of that we have attracted new players who are from the local area but have not come down in the past.”