Shots Kids Get Their Chance

Last updated : 31 March 2006 By Stray Shots Team

Aldershot News reporter Rebekah Wheller has reported that with the chance of making the play-offs now realistically over, Brown is already preparing for his assault on the Conference next year as he casts his eye over potential summer targets.

“We're going to have a look at several of the young boys, and I'm going to as many matches as possible to watch these players” he said.

“There will be an opportunity for these players to feature in the coming games, bearing in mind we only have seven games of the season left.”

Indeed, the boss is so keen to shore things up early for next season, that he has enlisted the help of former Football in the Community Officer and reserve team manager Simon Pullen, now a well-respected scout.

Brown said: “With Simon on board it means we've got someone who can watch a player several times, finding out not just their ability but their attitude as well.

“We've had some young players come in that haven't done the job because of nerves or a variety of reasons. I want to make sure that the players I bring in are ready for this level so that next season we can go out and win the title.”

Brown is trying to put this disappointing season behind him, and from his plans, it's clear that lessons have been learnt.

“It's been a shocking season, we never got going or really had a team in place from the start of the season, down to injuries and down to the fact that I didn't get the players I wanted.

“We've been playing catch-up all year, it's not just one area either, it's clear I need to strengthen in the defensive department but it's also up front, we haven't scored enough goals this year.”

There are however certain games the boss will want to win more than others — the home matches with Grays Athletic and Woking immediately springing to mind.

The boss went on: “I will be making some changes to the side, playing the youngsters in with the senior players. But obviously there are some games we want to win, and for those it may mean more senior players rather than the young boys.

“We're looking now for next season, no one else can come in, so we'll also be looking over what we've got and making decisions as well as who we want to bring in over the summer.

“It's not just youngsters we're looking at it, senior players too, the Ray Warburtons of this world, but I need to know they will be able to do a job at this level.”

With the club no longer able to take on loans now that the deadline has passed, the news that key defender Greg Heald has chosen to leave the club leaves the boss with limited options at the back.

Talking about Heald's departure, the boss continued: “Greg has been our best defender this year but we knew when he joined that he was training to be a teacher and would leave at some point for his exams.

“Had we been in a play-off position he would have stayed on to help us but it's sensible for him to be moving on now. He wasn't staying on next season, so it gives me the chance to start looking at centre halves now as well,” said Brown.

With several players looking to earn contracts next year, the boss is also keen to keep hold of several players of a senior level.

As well as the centre halves, the boss is looking at a Tim Sills-esque target man and a pacy goal scorer.

The boss is now preparing for Saturday's trip to Gravesend & Northfleet (ko 3pm) and has an injury concern over Darren Barnard, who fell on his shoulder in last weekend's disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Scarborough.

Hamstring victim Jonny Dixon has another couple of weeks on the sidelines but the good news is that David Lee is on course for a return in the Woking game.

Gravesend have had little reward from the Shots over the seasons, taking just a point in the 2003/04 season with a 2-2 draw.

Departed striker Sills has always been at the forefront of these fixtures, twice scoring in the last minute to snatch wins for the Shots.

Last time the side visited Stonebridge Road it was Dixon who netted a hat-trick for the victory — then in his first loan spell.

With thanks to the Aldershot News.