Terry Skiverton said that our new management team are edging closer to improving the squad, but he stressed the importance of remaining patient in pursuit of the right players.
In his first interview with us after being appointed as Assistant Manager, Terry said: “We’re really close on two or three, but we’ve got to be patient. The thing is when you’re looking at experienced players, as well as some younger players and maybe one or two loans, there’s other clubs in the market.
“What we’ve got to do is make sure we’re not only competing with the other teams in this league, but also the one above, and that we’re bringing in the right characters and the right people that will drive this club forward.
“What we don’t want is players that are coming in for their last pay day. We’re looking at players who want to have a good last three or four years to their careers at this club, including a couple of winning seasons. Our aim is to get back to where we were, but also to put in the process that says we’re going to be there or thereabouts this year and we go again and again.
“League Two is a competitive league and it’s a very tough division to get out of, as we all know, but the right people will be coming in and it will be at the right time. We’ve got some very good players here, but we all know where the gaps are within the squad, and we just ask that the supporters are a little bit patient.”
Having worked with new boss Johnnie Jackson at Charlton last season and with vast experience in management, the former Yeovil boss knows exactly what is required at this early stage in our preparations.
“There’s been a very good response from the players, but I’m not really fussed about smiles on faces,” said Terry. “I’m more into hard work and really having a positive, strong day, out there and the players really showing us what they’ve got. I’ve been impressed with them so far and long may that continue.
“The manager is very rock and roll and likes to get at teams and I’m a defensive coach that doesn’t mind attacking, so I think our styles complement each other quite well, and we can really find a balance to get results.
“At times we can be bad cop and bad cop, but at other times he is a good cop and I’m bad cop. Then he may be ‘indifferent cop’, but I’m still bad cop! I think that might explain a little bit about my character.”
Watch our extensive conversation with Terry, via the video link below to our official YouTube channel.