Gareth Dean makes Brackley Town transfer admission as Saints targeting ‘robust’ new signings
Brackley Town have identified a need for ‘robust’ new additions this summer, with a proven track record of reliability an important requirement going forward.
Injuries were a huge problem last season, especially at the tail-end, so a big priority is signing players who have a good history of strong availability.
Gareth Dean, working alongside head coach Andy Whing and recruitment specialist Joe Taylor following his retirement, is working hard to fulfil this plan.
As Brackley only have two players contracted for next season as it stands in Lowe and Kyle Morrison, it may be tempting to rush into as many signings as possible.
However, there needs to be an element of patience, not only to save money as player wage demands reduce as the summer progresses, but also to ensure the right personnel put pen to paper.
“When you look at the budget we’re provided with, you need to look at players who are robust enough to deal with 40, 45 and 50-game seasons,” Dean explained in a recent club interview.
“You look at Matt Lowe as an example, an incredible athlete, he looks after himself better than most.
“He’s like a full-time professional in terms of the recovery work, the fitness work he does. Touch wood, he’s always been a player out there as a character.
“He’s robust! If you look at the group at the end of last year, we had too many people in the medical room. That then creates problems with players out of position.
“You might not be able to play the best XI. You might not be able to play the formation you want to play.”
Whing was understandably criticised heavily at the end of last season as Brackley lost 12 of his 16 games in charge.
But the former Solihull Moors and Barrow manager had to contend with a host of injuries, stopping him from playing anything close to his preferred three-at-the-back system.
“It’s really important we have players with a proven track record so they’re not just playing 12 or 15 games for this football club,” Dean added.
“There’s an expectancy that they will be playing 40 games and there needs to be a desire to want to play 40-plus.”
Although it’s quiet on the Brackley transfer front at the moment, movement is expected before mid-June.