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Having enjoyed a trip to Majorca with the squad last week, the boss hopes that the side will be able to put the disappointment of missing out on the Play-Off final behind them, before re-grouping in his bid for automatic promotion next season.
“The tour is part of that healing process, we had an absolutely brilliant time,” he said. “It all went well, considering there was a group of about 20 young men it went without any trouble, good team bonding.”
As the Play-Off final between Carlisle and Stevenage got underway, Brown and the players were still on their flight home. The boss did admit, however, afterwards, that Carlisle's 1-0 win was just the result he had been hoping for.
“The timing of the tour was perfect so that we didn't have to sit through the final. The result was what we wanted, it's a journey we can cross off and it's a big-money club out of the league.
It's a reasonable result although looking at some of the game I still feel it should have been us,” said Brown.
But for now it's down to business and Brown will be finalising the ins and outs of the squad this week and meeting with chairman Karl Prentice, before trying to entice his two transfer targets to the Recreation Ground next week.
“I have a meeting with the chairman today (Monday), and I'll be meeting players throughout the week, starting with our current players then hopefully speaking to a couple of new players next week,” said Brown.
One key area that the boss will be looking to strengthen is up front, and Brown will be looking at bringing in at least two new experienced strikers to help ease the pressure on Tim Sills.
“That's an area that we particularly need to strengthen, and I think that will make a difference to our campaign next season. We are looking at players with league experience who will be able to help us next year,” added Brown.
But before negotiations can start with new players, the boss is focusing on keeping hold of the nucleus of this squad. With roughly half on existing contracts and some, like Brett Johnson, Nikki Bull and Darren Barnard attracting league interest, Brown must also have to weigh up the options quickly if he is to piece together his new squad sooner rather than later.
“If the talks go well with the people that we want to stay, there won't be a million triallists,” he explained. “I've gone up that road before where you look at every Tom, Dick or Harry and don't finalise the squad until August.
"I'd rather be sure of the real nucleus of the side and then look at maybe a couple of youngsters.
“I know all the fans and everybody want to have the best possible team out for the first game of the season but it never actually works. I'd like to have a bit of money in the kitty so that if a good pro isn't getting in the side we would be able to go in and get that player, like we were able to do with Darren Barnard.”
By the end of the week, the players that won't be featuring at the Rec next season will be looking for clubs elsewhere, whereas others will be mulling over new deals.
But if the Shots are to go that extra yard and secure a place back in the Football League, Brown knows that the hard work must start here.
“The boys are able to look at this season and say ‘we were nearly there, let's improve on it for next year'. It's about going five or ten per cent better, and not just the players, I have to do my job better as well.”
With thanks to the Aldershot News.