Ian Watson sets South Shields transfer stance as 'three or four deals' considered
South Shields are hoping to add quality rather than quantity to their squad ahead of the new National League North season.
Ian Watson has revealed he has one clear aim as he looks to strengthen his South Shields squad during the summer.
The former Gateshead and Carlisle United assistant manager enjoyed a largely positive first season in charge at the 1st Cloud Arena as the Mariners narrowly missed out on promotion into the National League after suffering a play-off final defeat against Kidderminster Harriers. Despite that loss, there was major progress after a runners-up spot in non-league’s second tier represented the highest league finish in the club’s history after they had ended the previous campaign in the bottom eight.
Watson has wasted little time in kickstarting his summer work after it was confirmed senior trio Todd Alcock, Dan Ward and Martin Smith had departed the club as their contracts came to an end and young quartet James Sloan, Louis Burns, Kyle Seymour and Ewan McGowan were also released. Talks are also ongoing with former Newcastle United academy forward Kyle Crossley after his season was prematurely ended by an injury and there are high hopes the Mariners can also add new faces to their squad over the next couple of weeks.
However, Watson stressed he will be looking to add quality rather than quantity after overseeing a hectic summer of recruitment 12 months ago.
He told The Gazette: “We have had meetings all week with players and obviously we have a squad of players there that is really strong. We are just looking to add top players to the group and we are speaking to three or four of them and we will be looking to hopefully get something over the line in the next couple of weeks.
“We aren’t looking for loads because we have a strong team there. I think we need that depth because I feel that’s where we maybe fell a little short last year and we have to get players in the squad that can improve the game or change the game whether they start or come off the bench. We want competition in every single position and that’s where I want it to be. We aren’t just looking for numbers, our recruitment is being done with a fine-toothed comb and we are looking for the very best we can.”