Graham Kavanagh on his new signings
Manager Graham Kavanagh spoke to us today about midfielder Gary Dicker and striker Billy Paynter, his latest additions to the squad.
“The two we’ve added today are good signings for us,” he told us. “Gary Dicker has a lot of experience and he’s a really good footballer.
“He got promoted with Gus Poyet at Brighton and everyone you talk to speaks very highly of him. He knows the level, he knows the game and I’m sure he’ll slot right in with what we want to do simply because of the way he goes about things.
“If I’m being honest, I didn’t think we’d get Gary because most of his career has been based down south. The fact that he’s prepared to make a move like this is testament to his attitude and to what he will bring to the squad.
“He is absolutely determined to make a mark and I can hear in the things he’s saying that he’s up for the challenge of turning the fortunes round at this football club. He has strength of character and presence on the pitch and we lacked that a little bit at times last season. With his footballing ability I think he’s one the fans will take to very quickly.”
“Every club likes to have a goal scorer and Billy Paynter is the type who should lead the line well for us,” he continued. “He’s another name the fans will recognise and he‘s done well at various clubs in his career.
“He was attracting a lot of attention and there were clubs offering more money. I’d managed to get in and talk to him very early, about 6 days after the season ended, and I made it my business to go and meet him face to face.
“We had a very frank and honest conversation and I explained where I wanted the club to go. I outlined my plans for him and he loved the idea of being part of it all. I want him to come into our dressing room and be a leader and to help to pull everyone together for the same cause.”
“With this situation, it was a deal where I knew I wanted to get it all sorted but I also knew he was in America. I had a chat with my wife and she told me just to take a chance and to get in touch with him again anyway.
“I managed to track him down and it was refreshing to hear him say that he was always going to sign for us. All that was left was to get the paperwork side of it done because I knew it was one that would really give the supporters a lift.”
“All four of the lads we’ve agreed so far are hungry and they’re looking forward to the challenge ahead,” he said. “I think what we need now is a centre half who will help to complete the spine of the team.
“We’ll keep working now to get more quality into the squad so we can get people excited about the football again. The club have really backed me with the four signings so far and I’m very hopeful that we’ll have more done for next week to keep the excitement bubbling over.”
We’ll have more from the manager over the weekend.
