Gavin Allen: Recruitment is key to achieving Aberystwyth's high targets

Aberystwyth Town Women manager Gavin Allen has expressed the importance of recruitment in achieving the club’s high targets this season.

The Seasiders finished at the foot of the table last campaign, recording five points from 16 games.

Allen, who was manager of the men’s first-team last year, was appointed over the summer and has high hopes of climbing the table this season.

Having already taken steps to make his own stamp on the Seasiders’ squad, Allen insisted that further recruits are paramount.

‘’We’ve got a young squad. Hopefully there’s more players coming on board to fit where we’re thinking and where we’re going.

“I’m hoping by the end of this month there will be five new recruits at this football club. We’ve always kept the same squad nearly every year and that could have been the issue.

“Now we’re going out to look for players which is a completely different dynamic to our ladies team and trying to recruit what we need to strengthen in key areas.

“That’s what I’m looking for. It’s up for grabs for shirts, it’s up to them to do well, score goals, keep clean sheets and then we move on.”

In their 16 fixtures last season, the Seasiders recorded one win, two draws and 13 losses.

At the other end of the table were Swansea City and Cardiff Metropolitan University competing down to the wire for the title.

On the final day of the season, the Swans secured top spot, going the whole year unbeaten.

While Allen is realistic about competing with the league’s big-hitters, the Seasiders boss expressed the club’s long-term aim is to be among the teams at the top of the Adran Premier.

‘’If we are successful to bring in the five individuals that we want, it could be the difference between a bottom-four side and a top-four side and that’s where my thought is at this moment in time.

“It’s always going to be difficult to compete with Swansea, Cardiff Met and Cardiff City but we’ve got to have an overview of it.

“Our expectations and targets are going to be high. We don’t look back, we look forward and hopefully we can surprise a couple of teams this year.

‘’There’s an expectation from myself and my targets are high to be in that top four. We finished bottom last season and second from bottom the year prior, so it’s been a difficult time.

“This is a gradual process and we’re putting blocks together to grow the club in the right way. I’m hoping, if we can attract the right players and with new additions coming, it will be a massive boost and a huge step forward.”

With a clean slate at the start of the Adran Premier campaign, Allen has high hopes for Aberystwyth.

The Seasiders boss feels that the key to competing with the top sides is to focus on themselves.

‘’I think there’s more pressure on the top three than anyone else this season. Everybody knows about them and everybody will step up their games against them.

“We had Swansea in the semi-final of the cup last season and drew 0-0 in 90 minutes, so we’re not a million miles away.

“For us, it’s not about being too concerned about Cardiff City, Swansea City or Cardiff Met. It’s about what we can do as Aberystwyth Town Football Club and how we progress to make it a successful season.”

Aberystwyth got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-1 victory over Barry Town United at Park Avenue.

Having started his tenure with a victory, Allen expressed his delight at securing his first league win.

‘’Three points on the first day is what everybody wants as a club. To be honest, we didn’t play that well, but as we all know, the result is more important than anything else.

“It was really nice to see us scoring three goals, which we haven’t done for a while. We’re looking a bit more threatening going forward.

‘’We’ve played better and lost. We’ve had a really good pre-season, which was very tough and competitive.

“We wanted to make sure that when we do play against the higher calibre of teams, which starts this weekend against Cardiff City, that we are ready.

“For me personally, three points is a good start, a fantastic start. Now, we have to build on it.

“We’ve got to have a bit more confidence, got to keep the ball a bit better. We looked threatening when moving forward, but there’s always room to improve.”

Aberystwyth Town return to action this weekend as they face a difficult trip to take on Cardiff City Women.

The Bluebirds have strengthened over the summer with a number of new recruits from within the Adran Premier.

Iain Darbyshire’s side also secured victory on the opening day with an impressive 4-0 win at Port Talbot Town.

Ahead of facing the Bluebirds, who finished third in the table last season, Allen expects a very difficult test.

‘’I’m doing my research on how they’ve played over the last couple of years. I’m hearing they’ve made some very good signings this summer and they’ve strengthened a lot.

“They’re going to be very competitive in the top three with Swansea and Cardiff Met. We’re expecting a tough game, but if we’re disciplined and organised and we do it correctly, there could be a shock on Sunday.

“We’ve got to believe in it and that’s the mentality we need to get through now to the ladies in Aberystwyth. That is a gradual step and building blocks.

“We’ve got a good group, great vibe in the dressing room. Everyone has got their own responsibilities on the pitch.

“We’re always going to be underdogs going there on Sunday, but hopefully we’ll have the right mentality to take either one or three points.”

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)