Player recruitment top priority for Wotton

Paul Wotton is settling into his new environment as manager of Torquay United and the former Truro City boss is tackling the summer stress of player recruitment.

Every manager in the country, at every level, spends this crucial close-season assembling a squad they believe will give them the best opportunity for success once the real business kicks off in August.

For Wotton, and his football advisor Neil Warnock, that challenge is particularly exciting, with a virtual blank canvas to work from.

Although he intimated to discussions with some players from last season’s squad in his first press conference, there is no doubt the Yellow Army will have a whole bunch of new heroes to follow in the coming weeks and months.

“The first week has been very busy but I’ve been made to feel very welcome by everyone at the club,” said Wotton. “I’ve been at Plainmoor a few days and really excited to be here but the over-riding feeling has just been tremendously busy.

“There is always progress with player recruitment but it is also very tough because everyone knows we’ve got to recruit a lot of players. It is hard work but nothing we can’t handle.

“Every manager has a recruitment list, you start at the top and go through that list until you get the players you want. It’s just a case of ringing around agents, ringing players and trying to get the deals done.

“I have also had time to think about a backroom team and those discussions are ongoing. I expect to have more news on that very soon.”

The pre-season schedule now has three fixtures booked in, with trips to Buckland Athletic and Tiverton, plus a Plainmoor visit from Exeter City.

Again, like all managers, Wotton will use his pre-season campaign to galvanise fitness and tactics in the squad but arguably the most important element for United will be forging a new togetherness at the club.

“The first game at Buckland will be great for the fans to see the new team and for me to meet the fans, which I’m looking forward to, and also Exeter and Tiverton,” said Wotton.

“As a player, you don’t get up for a pre-season game in the same way as a league fixture but, boring answer I know, pre-season is all about fitness and, even more so this season, for the players to get to know me and each other.

“It will be my time to establish a footballing philosophy and show them how we are going to play. There is a juggling act between fitness and tactical coaching, so they are aware of what I want from them on the pitch.

“We’re not just identifying talent as footballers; we’re looking for characters and winners. All successful teams I’ve been involved with have all got on very well socially as well, so we will have events for the boys to bond.”