Exciting times ahead for Reds
‘Some of the players have been offered more money elsewhere but are sticking with us’
STANLEY’S owner said he is ‘not nervous’ ahead of the new season and is ‘excited’ by the summer arrivals.
In the second of a wide ranging two-part interview, Andy Holt told the Observer he has ruled out fears of a relegation scrap next season and praised the loyalty of manager John Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell.
The Reds have already boosted their squad with several signings so far, and Holt believes last season’s success has helped make the job easier.
He said: “There are some signings which have been announced and we are not talking new players that have been thrown away by other clubs, we are talking some decent players.
“Players are seeing that things are changing at Stanley and I feel that John and Jimmy have a bit better choice.
“They are excited for next season and I’m really excited myself.”
After ten years of being one of the bookmakers favourites for relegation, Holt believes the fans can enjoy more stability this season and hasn’t ruled out another challenge for promotion.
He said: “How did we not go up last year? I still think about it to this day and the opportunities that we had.
“I’m really proud of what we achieved. I’ve got to give a big shout out to John (Coleman) and Jimmy (Bell) and some of the players have been offered more money elsewhere but they are sticking with us.
“I definitely don’t think we will go out of the league next year let’s put it that way.
“If someone wants to name the most likely team to go out of the league again then I think they would be making a mistake name us. I don’t think there’s much chance of that to be honest.
“My prediction is we won’t be going out of the league but we are going to have a good team and whatever happens, happens. If we carry on getting refereeing decisions like we did against Wimbledon then you don’t know where you’ll be. You can’t do anything about them.
“We had a great team and we will have a great team this year. I’m excited with the work John and Jimmy are doing and the shape of the team they’re putting together.”