Walker weighs up his options
DOVER ATHLETIC boss Clive Walker cannot wait for the season to
start and is confident his squad is strong enough to win the Ryman League
Division One title, writes Justin Allen.
His and chairman Jim Parmenter's wheeler dealing skills in the
transfer market have seen the club bring in three top-rate players for the
price of one.
Tommy Tyne, Tony Browne and Lee Spiller add valued experience
to what is a talented young squad of players - and despite losing Matt
Carruthers to Welling United as part of the deal Whites have a stronger set-up
now than they did when the season finished.
Walker said: "We're not likely to make any more signings
because the budget is now spent. I could've brought more players in, had I not
gone for these three lads, but I'd have struggled to get the same quality of
player.
"It's vital that we got in top quality players, rather
than quantity. We have a squad of 19 now and that's all we need - and
there is a pool of good reserve players that can make the step up if needed.
"Matt, of course, has left, which means we've lost a wide
player but there are plenty of options in the squad that will give us width.
Also I will be looking at a new formation for next season.
"Players like Tony Browne and Daniel Braithwaite can
certainly get forward in wide positions and that's what we'll be looking at.
We may play 3-5-2, with Tony and Daniel on the flanks. Also there's 4-3-3 and
some other options.
"We're going to look into this during pre-season but I'm
confident that this squad can get us promoted out of this league, because
that's absolutely vital."
The former Chatham Town boss insists that he has no shortage of
options with a number of players being able to play in different positions.
He said: "Tommy Tyne can play in midfield if need be and
then you've always got someone like Craig Wilkins who can play at the centre
of defence in emergencies, not to mention (Craig) Cloke who can play in a
few different positions - so I'm very relaxed about the squad.
"It's not going to be an easy league - I've no doubt about
that. But we have the players who can win the division and, providing they
focus on that target and work hard, we will get ourselves up straight away.
"We're aiming for a double promotion - so this is very
much a two-year plan. If we get up this season, then we will add more players
next season to the squad to get us into Conference South. We're going to give
it a real go - that's for sure."
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