Spartans manager Tom Wade finalised his eighth addition of the summer with defender Arjun Purewal signing on for the season at Croft Park and revealed he was “over the moon” with how his squad was shaping up ahead of the new season. However Wade insisted that the recruitment drive will carry on as he looks to put together a squad to help his side improve on last season’s performance and that both he and Assistant Manager Colin Myers know exactly where they need to improve.
“We are looking at two or three more along with today’s signing of Arjun Purewal(pictured above). I’m over the moon with the lads who have come back from last season and the new lads as well, they are all doing exceptionally well. We are talking to other players and it’s a good thing that players want to sign for the club but we have to ensure they are right for the club and want to come for the right reasons.”
He continued “We do understand that the league we play in is a physical one and we are working on bringing in some lads to help us with that but football wise I think we play some great stuff this season.”
Many of the new additions at Croft Park have been younger players who in Wade’s words are “hungry” to make a name for themselves at the club. The likes of Dean Holmes, Rob Nolan and Matthew Wade have impressed during the opening three pre-season fixtures and the former Gateshead manager feels that is down to everyone involved at Spartans to give the younger players the chance to grow throughout the season.
“My philosophy in football has always been that if players come in then they have to work for the club no matter who they are. I’ve never been a believer in signing players purely because of their name or who they are. I would rather sign two or three players who are up and coming and are hungry to make a name for themselves in the game and we want to give them a platform to do that.”
Wade was frank in his assessment of the situation involving the younger recruits and admitted that on previous budgets at the club the youngsters might not have got their chance to shine. However he did reassure the Croft Park faithful that he is putting together a squad of players who want to be at the club and who want to do well for the club first and foremost.
“I’m very proud of the lads and some of them I’ve known since they were Under 11s and I’m delighted to see them coming through. If the budget was great then these lads might not have got their chance at the club but the fact is we have some great lads, with great attitudes who want to do well for this club and for our supporters.”