Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll is aiming to bring a new player in to his squad ahead of this weekend’s trip to Eastleigh.
(If you missed it, the new player concerned was striker Olufela Olomola – see more here)
The boss also expects to unveil his new assistant manager next week and said he has picked an individual who is known to him and will have “the biggest impact” on his side.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
After Tuesday night’s defeat at Wealdstone, Sarll called for “a spike” in the dressing room on the playing or coaching staff – and it seems like he may be getting both in the next week.
On Friday, he said: “In my first year here we brought (striker) Mark Richards in at this stage of the season.
“I remember Luke Wilkinson saying ‘is that Mark Richards, blimey?’ He knew we were serious and trying to win it. Those moments can ignite a dressing room.
“I’m not sure we can afford a Mark Richards but we are still trying to do some work and we are hoping there will be a new one in before tomorrow (at Eastleigh).”
With only three teams – Wealdstone and the division’s bottom two sides, King’s Lynn Town and Dover Athletic – having scored fewer than the Glovers’ 26 this season, it would be no surprise to see the arrival being in a forward position.
However, the new arrival does not seem like it will be left-sided midfielder Alfie Bridgman, the apprentice from Portsmouth who was reported to be training with the Glovers ahead of a loan move.
Sarll confirmed the 18-year-old trained with his side last week, adding: “There’s nothing much more to say about that.”
The manager confirmed he expects to appoint his new number two next week, filling the void left by Terry Skiverton‘s departure to take up a coaching role at Charlton Athletic almost a month ago.
Sarll said he had not had time to conduct any interviews with potential candidates so the selection had been made by him going after the people he wanted.
He said: “Over the last couple of weeks, I have made phone calls to people who have qualities that we need. It’s about the quality they will bring to stimulate the dressing room, to make a difference and that takes a small pool of people.
“I have spoken to some friends, former colleagues, former players and took advice and also tried to whittle it down to a point that I knew the individuals who were going to have the biggest impact on our team.
“All I care about is winning, so who is going to help us win the most for the resources we have got?”
Full-back Mark Little and left back-turned-midfielder Jordan Barnett are both back in contention for tomorrow’s trip to Eastleigh.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
Neither were included in the squad for the midweek trip to Wealdstone with Little still making his way back to full fitness after a long lay-off, and Barnett having picked up an ankle injury against Solihull Moors last weekend.
Sarll said: “Mark trained yesterday (Thursday) and should be okay for tomorrow (at Eastleigh).
“Jordan should be okay. He’s got our training session today (Friday) to pass the test, but he should be okay.
“He would have been a real benefit to us on Tuesday night with his width, his left foot and his pace, so if he’s fit and available, he’ll be in contention.”
However, the trip to the South Coast is unlikely to see midfielder Lawson D’Ath feature.
The former Reading youngster did not feature in midweek having come off the bench to play 70 minutes of the goalless draw with Solihull.
The manager said: “We are trying to strengthen Lawson a little bit further. The 70 minutes (against Solihull) was maybe a bridge too far, even if he won’t admit it.
“We are doing a physical programme for him to get stuck in too. If I felt that Lawson could cope, he would play every minute of every game, he’s been fabulous.
“He’s a really good player and I want to make sure he does not go through the same journey as he did last year when he put himself on the coal face and almost cost his career (to help us).”