Highlight from this morning's chat with the manager
Darrell Clarke today confirmed that he has made offers to a couple of players, and has not ruled out a new face before tomorrow night’s game against Coventry at the Memorial Stadium.However, nothing is definite, and the manager will remain patient, to make sure he gets the sort of players he is looking for.
He said: “I have put offers in over the last couple of days for a 3 month loan for a winger, and I have put in an offer for a permanent striker, and I am also in talks with another defender.
“I am in talks with Jamie Turley, so we will wait and see how that develops.
“We could possibly see a new face before the Coventry game, we are waiting on one or two decisions.
“Nothing is a certainty in this game. If I could get two out of the three sorted by Monday morning, I would be very happy.
“I have a good solid 16 players at the club at the moment and I have four first year pros learning the trade and developing.
“If I can add another two or three I will be delighted.
“I don’t want to work off too big a squad this season, I can actively look to strengthen the team all the way through the season. If players aren’t performing I will be looking to change things.
“I have been working hard throughout the summer to get 18/19 players that are well balanced to fit into two of three formations, and that is why I have been a little bit frustrated with the targets I have missed, because one or two of them would have fitted in to it.
“And that is why I am being a little bit patient and why I am making sure I get the right to fulfil the right balance.”
Although there is no structural damage to Lee Mansell’s knee, the manager thinks tomorrow night will come too soon for him.
Ollie Clarke and Tom Lockyer will also have to be assessed ahead of the last pre-season friendly match.
Darrel said; “Lee Mansell is still struggling with his knee, we have had it scanned, and there is no structural damage, which is great news, and we are hopeful he will be available for the start of the season, but tomorrow night’s game probably comes too soon for him.
“Tom Lockyer has had a bit of a tight hamstring this week, so we will see how he is today, whether he will be passed fit for tomorrow night.
“Ollie Clarke missed the early part of the week, but has trained the latter part of the week.”
With just over a week to go, the manager and his team are looking forward to the start of the season.
Although Darrel is hoping to pick up points early on, he knows that it is a long campaign.
He said: “We are looking forward to the start of the season, but we have a tough game tomorrow night and another week’s preparation to do.
“The games come thick and fast when the season starts, but I am really looking forward to it, and so are the players.
“We will try and win every match we play, and that will be the score this season, we won’t be going out for a point.
“You can play as many games as you like in pre-season but you don’t really know where you are until the first game of the season and it is competitive.
“It is important to get a decent start if we can, but it is important we improve through the season, it is 46 game season, and it is not won or lost on the first day.
“It is about developing the side and picking up things quickly. It is great to get some early point on the board, and that is what we will be looking to do, but it certainly won’t be a crisis early doors. “
For the full interview visit Gas Player.