Keeper Adam Collin became manager John Sheridan’s fifth summer signing on Wednesday morning and the new boss confirmed at his weekly press conference that he was more than happy with the way the summer arrivals had already started to bed in at the club.
“They’ve all fitted in well,” he said. “There’s now a good mix of young players and experienced heads and there’s some good quality about us.
“I’d like to add to that and, in my eyes, I still need four or five players to come in. I’m in the process of doing that and hopefully we’ll be getting a few more signed up in the near future.”
“Adam [Collin] obviously knows the club and he’ll have felt like he’s never been away,” he continued. “That’s the same with Macaulay Gillesphey. He knows a lot of the lads and staff anyway, so it’s been smooth for him.
“Gary Miller is an experienced lad, so he takes it in his stride. He’s the type of character who just comes in and gets on with it. That makes him really easy to work with.
“Joe Fryer is working with Dan [Watson] now, so he’s happy to be going through his keeper drills. He has a great mentality and he wants to listen and learn.
“With George [Glendon], he’s another hard-working lad who just gets on with his job. He’s at a good age and he could easily go on to become one of our better players.
“The pleasing thing is that all of these lads have been made to feel very welcome and that means that there’s a good vibe about the place.”
Speaking about his own settling in process, he said: “I’m getting myself in place slowly but surely. I’m very pleased and comfortable with everything I’ve got.
“In terms of the training facilities, I’m really happy with that. My staff are in place now, but the strength and conditioning position is something I’m looking at. I’ve been using Paddy Maher from our academy and he’s been doing a brilliant job in helping us, but we do need to get one through the door.
“For our scouting requirements I have a workaround which I’m comfortable with. I know the leagues very well anyway, and I’m aware of most players, and Tommy Wright is a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to players.
“Sometimes you go without things and, as long as you’re comfortable with that, and you have your workaround in place, you can get on well. I’m more than happy with the way things are going.”
And on working with the admin staff, he commented: “I’m the type of person who wants everyone to know who I am and to feel part of what we’re up to. I like to talk to people and get to know them, but that’s just how I am.
“I take a walk over to the admin offices and say hello almost every day because I want people to be happy about where they work.
“That’s all fine, I’ve said before that talking and being pleasant is easy, but ultimately I know I’ll be judged on having a football team that wins games.
“I’m hoping the fans all feel very positive about what’s going on at the moment. It’s a long season, but I want everybody to believe that we’re going to have a successful year. We’ve been really close to getting there at this club recently, so if I can improve on what’s been done by 10 or 15% then it means we’ll be there.”
