Crawley Town manager Steve Evans believes he has significantly strengthened his squad as they continue to prepare for the new season.
However, he has warned all Reds` fans that the competition in the Blue Square Bet Premier will be tougher.
Michele Kuipers (Brighton), Danny Hall (Chesterfield) and Steve Masterton (Greenock Morton) have all been recruited for next season and give a much stronger look to the team from last season who as we all know did brilliantly to finish in seventh position.
Grimsby Town, Darlington, Newport and Fleetwood will all ensure the quality of standards are raised as will Wrexham, Luton Town, Cambridge United and Wimbledon who have all significantly strengthened their respective squads over the last few weeks.
Evans said: “We have made three quality new signings to add to what is a squad of decent players from last season. We will lack in squad depth but that is purely down to the budget but on the other hand we could have signed lots of players, forgotten about the quality and be in a relegation fight - that is not an option.
“We know the players we want and discussions continue with a couple of other targeted players but like the three new deals we have done it will have to be cost effective on our part. We cannot compete with the so called big clubs in this competition and it would be a waste of energy trying to do so.
“It is our objective to improve on last season and we all know that will be very difficult but with careful player recruitment and a clear strategy then we do have a chance. Some teams will line - up on the opening day of The Blue Square Bet Premier and be under massive pressure to win, the fact is that if your Directors give you as the manager a budget worthy of promotion they in turn have a right to expect that.
“Our team budget is at the bottom end of what clubs pay in The Conference Premier but as Bruce Winfield tells me the budget is where it is. In simple terms it is my responsibility to put the best squad of players in place I possibly can in return for that budget. That is what we are working hard to achieve, it’s not easy but I believe it can be done. Our three new signings certainly improve us as a team but the quality bar has been lifted for the season ahead so only time will tell whether we have got it right.
“Our pre-season match schedule is fantastic, it has the right mixture of opposition and I know the players, staff and supporters are rightfully excited by it.
“This weekend I will meet up with a striker that I would like to add to what we have in the door, he really would be a good signing. The lad has other options, most good quality players do but it will be very important to me that he wants to join us. At our first meeting he could tell me our new signings, our pre-season opposition and said he watched us last season so that tells me he is keen to perhaps take it further, I really hope he does.”
The Reds kick off the new season when Championship new boys Millwall bring a full strength team to The Broadfield Stadium on Saturday, 10th July 2010.
