Taken from the Post....
Bristol Rovers' manager John Ward is unlikely to bolster his squad with any new wide players before the start of the season.
Ward released experienced wideman Joe Anyinsah at the end of last term, but will not immediately seek a replacement after promoting promising youngsters Shaquille Hunter and Alefe Santos to the first-team squad ahead of the new season.
The former youth-team starlets will join Fabian Broghammer, Ellis Harrison and Eliot Richards in competing for the two places available on the flanks of the senior team ahead of the new season.
Ward said:
"I'm happy with what we have available to us in the wider areas. When I first came to the club the need to strengthen the spine of the side with some experience was evident and that is were I placed all my emphasis. We've got it strong down the middle there now and I think we have the players here already to add a bit of flair on the outside of that. I feel excited about what we may see from these younger players next season. They bring a youthful exuberance about the place and I've seen enough over the last six months to suggest that they can last the pace and make a decent contribution. The likes of Ellis and Fabian, who both played a lot of games towards the end of last season, know that they are at a stage now where they have to take on a lot more responsibility and I'm looking forward to seeing them do it. I've been encouraged by the way they have worked in pre-season so far, so let's see how they go. We have four or five young lads, so it may be a case of rotating them at times to cater for any little bit of pressure or tiredness they feel over the course of the season. That is where my man-management and that of my staff will play a really important role because we have to get these young guys through a really long ten-month period of football without a problem."
Bristol Rovers' manager John Ward is unlikely to bolster his squad with any new wide players before the start of the season.
Ward released experienced wideman Joe Anyinsah at the end of last term, but will not immediately seek a replacement after promoting promising youngsters Shaquille Hunter and Alefe Santos to the first-team squad ahead of the new season.
The former youth-team starlets will join Fabian Broghammer, Ellis Harrison and Eliot Richards in competing for the two places available on the flanks of the senior team ahead of the new season.
Ward said:
"I'm happy with what we have available to us in the wider areas. When I first came to the club the need to strengthen the spine of the side with some experience was evident and that is were I placed all my emphasis. We've got it strong down the middle there now and I think we have the players here already to add a bit of flair on the outside of that. I feel excited about what we may see from these younger players next season. They bring a youthful exuberance about the place and I've seen enough over the last six months to suggest that they can last the pace and make a decent contribution. The likes of Ellis and Fabian, who both played a lot of games towards the end of last season, know that they are at a stage now where they have to take on a lot more responsibility and I'm looking forward to seeing them do it. I've been encouraged by the way they have worked in pre-season so far, so let's see how they go. We have four or five young lads, so it may be a case of rotating them at times to cater for any little bit of pressure or tiredness they feel over the course of the season. That is where my man-management and that of my staff will play a really important role because we have to get these young guys through a really long ten-month period of football without a problem."
