Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey wants to sign a prolific striker in the summer
Signing a prolific striker is at the top of Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey’s summer shopping list.
Tracey is set to carry on as Albion boss next season and he believes his side’s good form at the end of the campaign demonstrates that his club can be competitive in the Evo Stik Division One North.
Albion finished second-bottom, but look primed to receive a reprieve from relegation due to Cammell Laird’s resignation.
Of his current players, young winger Ryan Harrison is top of the charts with seven goals so Tracey admits that signing a marksman is a priority.
“We always want to add to it (the squad) and the form we have carried through (at the end of the season) suggests we can do better (in the league next season),” he said.
“We certainly need to add goals to the team. We haven’t had anyone get into double figures this year and that’s not going to help you compete.
“We have to get someone who can get us them 15 to 20 goals and that gives you have half a chance.
“Our finish in the last ten games will help us have a pull on players now. People can see us moving forward as a club.”
This season has been an eye-opening experience for Tracey in his first full season as a manager. Albion were bottom of the table from October until the Easter Monday victory at arch rivals Ossett Town – a win that was ultimately their salvation.
Bizarrely, despite losing 27 times in the league, Albion were only beaten by three goals or more on just five occasions. Every other defeat was narrow loss and Tracey, who also looks ahead to next season, said: “It has been frustrating and difficult because we have never been a million miles away.
“The Padiham defeat was probably one of our heaviest defeats. Very rarely have we got rolled over.
“There have been games where teams have that bit more cutting edge and we don’t have that at the moment.
“I honestly believe that if we can work hard in pre-season and step it up this year’s hard work will help us move forward.
“Sometimes I’m been too nice because there has been players here who have had more than a fair crack of the whip and weren’t good enough.
“But then again, it is difficult to replace players because you’re on a limited budget.
“There are a lot of things, not just what I’ve learnt. You’re battling against set routine at the club like you’re can’t train on the pitch.
“We need to be training on it for set-plays. We need to improve the attendance at training. We pay that little that lads can’t turn a shift down at work.
“All these things will help the club move forward.”