Given the financial constraints at Aldershot, and a restricted playing staff, manager Gary Waddock did reasonably well to guide the club to 15th place in League Two last season, but there are signs that things will not get any easier for the Shots’ boss next term.
Waddock will spend the summer trying to craft a squad capable of challenging in the top half of the division, but that will be tough because of the lack of money at the club.
Waddock said: “Due to the budget cuts, decisions being made are financial ones. The good thing is that it is all out in the open. The fans know the situation and they know that some decisions being made are due to finances, not football.
“All we can do is get on with things as best we can and (his assistant) Martin Kuhl and I will always remain positive.
“But to wheel and deal is not going to be easy as many clubs are in the same position as we are and they are not going to spend money either.”
Waddock is hoping the club’s first season back in the Football League will have provided a building block for next year. He uses the example of
Dagenham, who struggled in their first season in the Football League before just missing out on the play-offs last term, as a model to follow.
“Dagenham were able to improve their group a little and had key players returning from injury,” said Waddock, who next season will be without the services of free-scoring on-loan midfielder Scott Davies, who has returned to his parent club
Reading.
“It will be almost impossible to replace Scott, but we have
Ben Harding to come back in and he’s a good footballer. Different, but good. And
Scott Donnelly is an attack-minded player.”
And Waddock has warned his squad to be prepared for a tough training programme when they return from their summer break.
“I think they will find that pre-season training will possibly be harder than anything they have experienced before,” added Waddock.
Shaily's verdict on Aldershot's season
A solid first season in the Football League. 6/10
Powered by: GiveMeFootball.com, the
latest football news
