Swan praises balanced squad (12.08.05)

SURVIVAL is the main aim of the forthcoming season according to Maidenhead United chairman Jon Swan, but he believes the manager and players should be aiming higher.
Following last season’s lucky escape from the drop and a mixed pre-season, both in terms of results and in terms of bringing in new faces, the Magpies supremo did not want to set his stall out for unbridled success in the Conference South this season.
He said: “We have got to be honest with ourselves. If we can survive I think that is a successful season, but Dennis (Greene)’s ambitions are a little bit more than that, and he is looking for us to finish comfortably in mid-table.”
However, Swan was delighted that his manager was able to make use of a full pre-season to prepare for the battles ahead.
He said: “I’m quite pleased with how it’s gone. I think it’s great for Dennis as he has now had a whole pre-season to put his team
together.
“Last year he came in during the middle of the season and had to work with someone else’s players, but now he has had a chance to put together his own squad.”
The chairman was also quick to dispel any gloom caused by the inconsistent results in recent friendlies, such as the 3-1 defeat to Slough on Tuesday.
He said: “I would not go by some of the results. There was only one registered player playing against Slough.
“The rest were all on trial or young players hoping to make a mark. It was a great opportunity for someone to make themselves known to Dennis.”
Swan added he was pleased with how the squad seemed to be shaping up, with an encouraging mix of experience and youth coming through.
He said: “It’s got a good balance to it. A lot of good young players are coming through there, which I like to see.
“James Partridge, for instance, I’m particularly pleased to see come through the ranks and it looks like he will be playing a lot for us this season.
“He’s a good young player and we always like to see young players come through – it’s a tribute to the club, the players and the youth set-up here.”
The Magpies chairman added there was still money available to bring in new players, and revealed Greene is hoping to bring in possibly another three players before the team kick off at Sutton United tomorrow (Saturday).
Swan added: “Now I just want the season to start. I cannot wait to get it on.”