Manager Neil Harris has said that despite Millwall making their targets early this summer, and moving on them, he’s not closed the door to additional signings this season.
With David Worrall, Shaun Hutchinson and Gregg Wylde all joining officially on July 1, 38 year old Harris told the official site that he was again happy with the work the club had done and he feels that we have now covered ourselves in the positions he wanted to as we look to improve on last campaign – but whilst still wanting a smaller, tight knit squad to work with, he’ll now see how pre season goes and see what becomes available before deciding whether or not he’ll add anybody else.
‘I said I wanted three in but it just might not be overnight now. It might mean monitoring situations and looking at pre-season to judge our own players and making sure everyone gets through it free from injury. If I need to add one more then I might do so.’
He went on to add.
‘Everyone knows by now how I want to work. I don’t want a big squad. What I want is player harmony, competition for places and real spirit amongst the group. We had that last year in abundance. I want everybody who is fit, available and free from suspension to know that they have an opportunity to either be in the team or on the bench. I don’t want unhappy players.’
With Harris also sticking true to his development words when it comes to younger members of the squad getting good game time to bring them on, again not overloading the first team means a pathway continues to exist for them should more be ready to make the step up.
And he already has thoughts about a few others – going as far as no doubt boosting their confidence by naming them.
‘In my eyes we’ve got three, four or maybe five players that were close to the first team squad last year who have got a year older. They will get an opportunity in pre-season to impress. We’re talking Jamie Philpot, Alfie Pavey, Kris Twardek, Kyron Farrell and Noah Chesmain, who is slightly younger. Then you have Tom King as a goalkeeper. As I’ve shown at this club, if they impress and perform and show they’re good enough then they will get their opportunity. A smaller first team squad gives that pathway for our own players through our Academy to come in and play.’
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