Deano: New City boss deserves our respect

Nine points and 15 places separate National League South leaders Billericay and City ahead of the latter’s trip to the AGP Arena.

Town have won all three games since Brennan took charge, scoring an impressive 15 goals including nine against Whitehawk in the FA Cup last Saturday.

But Brennan insists Gloucester, who appointed Chris Todd as their new manager on Wednesday following Marc Richards’ departure to Hereford Town, will be a stern opponent.

“I watched them a few Sundays ago against Plymouth Parkway in the FA Cup and they are a technical side,” said Brennan. “They have just changed their manager and Chris Todd knows this league quite well. The players will want to impress their new manager and they have a goalscorer in Joe Parker.

“Confidence is created but it is easy to destroy,” he added. “We won’t get complacent as that is a cancer. The players know their roles but starting brightly is important. The league is our bread and butter and the most important thing to us.”

Town will welcome Taunton Town in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup next weekend after the Somerset-based side saw off St Albans City 5-2 in a replay on Wednesday.

Brennan was at the game and he is excited at the prospect of the match and pleased at the home draw.

“I watched Taunton and got back at 2am yesterday,” he said. “Having watched them I know it will be tough. We all want to get into the first round but we take it one session at a time.

“It is great having a lot of home matches in the weeks ahead [six of Town’s next seven games are at home]. The supporters were great in the rain last weekend and we will need their support again if we want to keep progressing. The pitch played well in the rain which bodes well also.

“The home tie in the cup is very important and we will now embrace the challenge.

“We all need to keep pushing in the same direction.”

Callum Kennedy will return for Billericay against Gloucester although Ricky Modeste remains sidelined.