I’ll bring more players in - then we’ll talk

LIAM Watson has admitted he’s kept his new squad “at arm’s length” during pre-season preparations as he aims to mastermind a route back to the Vanarama Conference.

Watson was promoted with Southport in both 2004/05 and 2009/10 while also lifting the title as manager of AFC Telford during the 2013/14 campaign.

With the Sandgrounders returning to training recently the manager revealed a variety of methods will be used as he aims to get his team into shape for the new season.

“It’s different. It’s different and it’s changed since I was last in full-time football,” Watson said after admitting he had been out of the professional game for almost two decades.

“Years ago the first two weeks of pre-season would just be running, running, running. For now though, it’s focusing on hard work and a lot of sessions on the track.

“There’s still some ball work but there will be a variety. When you start getting down to the friendlies, that’s when we’ll start looking more at tactics and how we want to play.”

When asked if he has warned his players that the malaise of last season will not be allowed to continue during his reign - Southport lost eight of their final nine games - Watson says he’s biding his time with the current set of players at his disposal.

“We still need to bring in a couple of more,” he said. “But no, to be perfectly honest. I’ve not said anything to be fair.

“I’ve kept them all at arm’s length and concentrated more on the fitness aspect. Gradually, over the next six weeks, we’ll concentrate on how I want to play this season.”