By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver says he’s already signed one of his main transfer targets this summer – and is close to another.
The Newtonians boss tied popular defender Darren Craddock down to a deal last week.
And he reckons he’s got at least one new signing in the offing very soon.
Oliver guided Aycliffe to a ninth-placed finish in the Northern League first division last season.
The ambitious manager is hoping to improve on that in the 2012-13 campaign, by adding a handful of quality new signings to his promising group of young players.
After signing Craddock last week, Oliver was asked if he was any closer to bringing new players into the club.
“I’ve definitely got one I wanted,” he told Aycliffe Today.
“I’m very close to getting a second one, and I’m confident the lads I get in will improve us no-end.
“If you add that little bit of quality, it keeps everyone on their toes. I’m a big believer that familiarity breeds contentment, if players are comfortable then performances drop, and we want to move on again. Can we finish higher than ninth?
“I’ve seen what’s required now, and I would like to say we’re not far off.
“We can beat the top sides on our day, but it’s not good enough to just beat them every now and again, you’ve got to be at it week in, week out, and I don’t we had the mental strength or experience last season to do that.”
Aycliffe are currently busy working on a number of exciting pre-season projects to bring in additional funds.
With their Give Us A Quid! Campaign launching last week, and a pre-season friendly at home to Premier League giants Sunderland to look forward to in July, Oliver is already relishing another new campaign.
He added: “I have a great feeling about the season coming.
“The season just gone, I was admittedly a bit cautious about how we would do, it’s quite a higher standard than the second division.
“But now I’m really looking forward to this season. I’ve had a good look at all our players over the year and I just know what’s required, but we’re not far off.
“The will to win and camaraderie in the squad is great, we just need a bit more quality but that’s what we’re striving to do to take the club forward.”
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