Tommy Warrilow wants his Ashford players to make themselves heard next season.

Warrilow’s squad is taking shape, with striker Luke Burdon and full-back Bradley Simms the latest players to commit to another campaign at Homelands.

He’s lost Frannie Collin, who’s returned to Hythe, but with 13 players on board, there aren’t many spots to fill.

And as Warrilow puts the finishing touches to his squad, the vocal side of the game is one area that can be improved as the Isthmian South East play-off finalists bid to take the next step and earn promotion.

“Everyone’s got to take more responsibility, we need to be more vocal as a side,” said the Nuts & Bolts boss.

“When you’ve not got the ball it’s even more important than when you do have the ball because you’ve got to be organising and seeing pictures, from 1 to 11.

“It’s something I bang on about and if we get that right, that might help us take the next step.

“We need to be a lot more organised, we need a lot more talkers.

“When I was in the reserves at Millwall, we played in the big stadiums, which were nigh-on empty, and all you could hear were all the lads shouting and talking.

“I’m not talking about hollering for the sake of it, I mean organising stuff and constructive criticism.

“Some of the boys say they are talking but I want to hear them. It’s a big part of the game.

“There are players who’ve made a living on organising and talking and not being the best footballer.

“It’s part of the game I’ve always tried to encourage.

“For me, talking is about being organised, with and without the ball.

“When we’re attacking down the left, the most important player on the pitch is our right-back because he can see the whole pitch.

“You don’t want him standing there with his hands on his hips, you want him seeing things and passing it on.”

Warrilow, meanwhile, has high hopes for Burdon after the striker agreed a new deal with Ashford.

He did much of his best work as a substitute this season and Warrilow has challenged him to force his way into the starting XI, with Johan ter Horst, Michael Uwezu and Gary Lockyer for competition.

“A few clubs came in for him but he’s agreed to stay and get his head down here,” said Warrilow. “He could become an integral part of it.

“It was his first year with us and he did really well.

“He was frustrated at times because he wanted to play every game but this is his season to try and kick the door open.

“With a good pre-season, I don’t see any reason why he can’t do that.”

Simms’ decision to reject higher-level clubs and stay with Ashford is another bonus for Warrilow.

He looked set to move on for a time but the manager convinced him to stay.

“It took a while, he had a lot of interest,” said Warrilow.

“He’s a big player for us and I think there’s a lot more to come.

“I’m really pleased he’s staying because I thought we’d lost him at one point but he’s realised the grass isn’t always greener.”

Warrilow has wished Collin all the best after the 34-year-old returned to Hythe in a player-coach role.

The pair were reunited at Ashford in January, almost a decade on from their successful years together at Tonbridge.

Collin helped the Nuts & Bolts finish runners-up but has accepted an offer from the Cannons following Steve Watt’s return as manager.

“To be honest, once Watty went back in there, I could see Frannie going back and he’s offered him a coaching number as well,” said Warrilow.

“I’ve known Frannie donkey’s years, there’s no animosity. He’ll be missed.

“He’s had a fantastic career and, like I said to him, that will continue for a few more years if he keeps looking after himself like he does.

“It’s just a shame we couldn’t send him and Jay May out in the fanfare of promotion.”