Radcliffe: Experienced heads are needed
By Adam Summers

Tuesday 10th August 2010

SIMON Radcliffe believes the next few days will be key to how Weymouth line up for the start of their Zamaretto Premier Division campaign at Halesowen on Saturday.

The ex-Dorchester Town defender has been impressed with the batch of youngsters at the club but admits that more experienced heads are required if the Terras are “to hit the ground running” in the opening weeks of the season.

Boss Ian Hutchinson and his assistant Andy Mason have been working day and night over the past few weeks in a bid to bolster their squad and Radcliffe is confident that the management duo can force through a couple of key signings before the big kick-off.

He said: “Pre-season has gone well. Everyone is looking sharp and fit but to expect so many youngsters to step up so many divisions and immediately produce the goods is a big ask and Hutch and Andy are fully aware of that.

“They know we need a few more experienced heads around the place, who have been there and done it, and they have obviously been working very hard on that. All we can do now is hope a few deals come to fruition this week.

“We need someone in the centre of the park who can hold the ball when we are under pressure and help knit everything together.

“Having experienced heads in key positions and a strong spine to the team is vitally important. We have a good keeper in Tom Manley and the fact that we have managed to bring Ben Gerring in as well at centre back is fantastic.

“We just need a couple more and hopefully they will materialise very soon because if we can get that spine right, we can then blend in the younger ones around it.”

Radcliffe has been particularly impressed with Sam Clarke this summer. The ex-Portland United centre-back was playing in the Dorset Premier League last season but has so far handled the step up in class with aplomb.

Radcliffe added: “Sam has looked like the future of Weymouth. He is a decent player and there are others coming up behind as well.

“There is a big group of local players here who have the potential to push on and make the step up, and like I said if we can add a few more experienced heads, Hutch and Andy are the perfect pair to carry it forward.

“What is important though is that we hit the ground running. Games will come thick and fast in the opening month and with the 10-point deduction we have, we cannot afford to be sluggish.”

Radcliffe has suffered an injury-hit pre-season but he did skipper the side in the 3-1 defeat against Dorchester Town on Saturday.

He said: “It has been a frustrating one for me this year. I have been carrying a hernia for the best part of 18 months but I have been to see my brother, who is a physio at Preston North End, and he diagnosed it as not being big enough yet to do anything with.

“That, and the ligament problem I had in my right ankle, have held me back but I still feel pretty fit and I cannot wait to start playing competitive games again.

“I cannot see there being a major difference between the Conference South and the Zamaretto Premier Division, so we have to expect tough games week-in week-out. The main thing is that we get to grips with it as soon as possible.”