DK - 'chipping away' - RedPassion.co.uk

Ddraigoch · 24th August 2020, 20.25:26

Wrexham manager Dean Keates is hopeful of adding more players to his squad this week after completing his fourth summer signing.

Former Northampton right-back Reece Hall-Johnson has agreed a one-year deal with the National League club.

Jamie Reckord, Elliott Durrell and Jordan Ponticelli have also signed with Keates confident of further arrivals.

"We're chipping away and optimistic over the next few days we may get one or two more in," Keates said.

"We'll just see how they develop. But we won't count our chickens before they hatch."

Hall-Johnson, 25, came through the ranks at Norwich City and having also played at Grimsby Town and on loan at Chester he spent last season with Northampton Town.

"He's had a Premier League upbringing and he's still only young," Keates added.

"I've spoken with people he's played under and with players that he's played with and he'll be a good addition for us.

"Last season he was a bit of a bit part player and now he wants to go and establish himself and be at a football club going forward and play week in, week out."

Wrexham's first team squad resumed training on 17 August after the 2019-20 regular season had ended early because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the National League's final standings decided on a points-per-game basis, Keates' side finished 19th having been involved in a battle to avoid relegation.

"We were more than confident that we would have stayed up off our own backs," Keates added.

"But it is what is is. We've come through it, last season's finished and the line's been written under it to say it's been done.

"We're looking to go forward now and getting ourselves as good as we can and as prepared as we can be, ready for the season ahead."

Windsor Mike · 24th August 2020, 20.33:07

Mustn't hold it against the lad, the fact he's been on loan at Jester, good luck Reece, here's hoping he'll be back in L2 this time next year

Red Light · 24th August 2020, 21.50:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor Mike

Mustn't hold it against the lad, the fact he's been on loan at Jester, good luck Reece, here's hoping he'll be back in L2 this time next year

If he does a job for us that is all that matters.

Couldn't give a xxxx where he has come from or who he has played for before - a pro footballer has a short shelf life and has to support himself and his family - do the best he can. That Chester reject Gary Bennett being the greatest example we will ever see - still my absolute favourite player of all time - because of his additional entertainment value and rapport with the fans - and guess what he came from Chester - well spotted Flynnie - without doubt the best signing he ever made.

Chipping away indeed - plenty of players out there looking for clubs - we have to get the right blend - not necessarily the most expensive assembled team - if we finish above Stockport County we wont be far off.

Inside Left · 25th August 2020, 11.02:23

DK must have a shed load of money for bottom 6 club. Onwards and upwards - top 6 on the horizon.

dixienormous · 25th August 2020, 11.20:40

Need two more decent strikers and two centre halves, and a physical presence in in midfield imo.

ColwynBayGaz · 25th August 2020, 11.30:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixienormous

Need two more decent strikers and two centre halves, and a physical presence in in midfield imo.

A Kyle Storer/Brad Walker type in midfield would be a treat and would undoubtedly free up Jarvis/Harris to do their jobs with more freedom. For all Keates' undoings (tactics/training...etc...) His signings last season Keillor-Dunn, Jarvis, Harris and the new lads so far do show he can get good players in midfield/defence, but strikers are where we have struggled in recent years... (8 years since the likes of Speight, Wright, Morrell, Pogba and the £1 million superstar Obi)

pricey · 26th August 2020, 19.48:06

Some good signings so far to be fair.

I still feel we need more players who know the area well for us to be successful.

Bigmike · 28th August 2020, 09.20:45

I remember a quote from Kevin Keegan when he was manager at Newcastle "the most important part of the job is recruitment" I dont want to count chickens before they have hatched however "on paper now" and previously he does seem to be at least quite good at it.

Prodigal Dragon · 28th August 2020, 09.28:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmike

I remember a quote from Kevin Keegan when he was manager at Newcastle "the most important part of the job is recruitment" I dont want to count chickens before they have hatched however "on paper now" and previously he does seem to be at least quite good at it.

Agree. Good effort so far, but we’ll need to see them play before we really know how effective we’ll be.

We do, however, need a CF who can hold the ball and score goals. That is the next challenge, which will be crucial to how we fair.

24th August 2020, 20.25:26	#1-0 (permalink)
Ddraigoch Legend Joined: Aug 2013 Racecourse Spot: Mold Road Real Name: Stevie G Twitter: @	DK - 'chipping away' Wrexham manager Dean Keates is hopeful of adding more players to his squad this week after completing his fourth summer signing. Former Northampton right-back Reece Hall-Johnson has agreed a one-year deal with the National League club. Jamie Reckord, Elliott Durrell and Jordan Ponticelli have also signed with Keates confident of further arrivals. "We're chipping away and optimistic over the next few days we may get one or two more in," Keates said. "We'll just see how they develop. But we won't count our chickens before they hatch." Hall-Johnson, 25, came through the ranks at Norwich City and having also played at Grimsby Town and on loan at Chester he spent last season with Northampton Town. "He's had a Premier League upbringing and he's still only young," Keates added. "I've spoken with people he's played under and with players that he's played with and he'll be a good addition for us. "Last season he was a bit of a bit part player and now he wants to go and establish himself and be at a football club going forward and play week in, week out." Wrexham's first team squad resumed training on 17 August after the 2019-20 regular season had ended early because of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the National League's final standings decided on a points-per-game basis, Keates' side finished 19th having been involved in a battle to avoid relegation. "We were more than confident that we would have stayed up off our own backs," Keates added. "But it is what is is. We've come through it, last season's finished and the line's been written under it to say it's been done. "We're looking to go forward now and getting ourselves as good as we can and as prepared as we can be, ready for the season ahead."

24th August 2020, 20.33:07	#2-0 (permalink)
Windsor Mike Club Captain Joined: Jul 2015 Racecourse Spot: any I can get !! Real Name: Mike (obviously !!) Twitter: @	Re: DK - 'chipping away' Mustn't hold it against the lad, the fact he's been on loan at Jester, good luck Reece, here's hoping he'll be back in L2 this time next year

25th August 2020, 11.02:23	#4-0 (permalink)
Inside Left Due a Testimonial Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: DK - 'chipping away' DK must have a shed load of money for bottom 6 club. Onwards and upwards - top 6 on the horizon.

25th August 2020, 11.20:40	#5-0 (permalink)
dixienormous Printing My Own Banknotes Joined: Dec 2011 Racecourse Spot: Upper Yale stand, town end Real Name: Gavin Davies-Jones Twitter: @	Re: DK - 'chipping away' Need two more decent strikers and two centre halves, and a physical presence in in midfield imo. __________________ "We talk about it for twenty minutes and then we decide I was right." -Brian Clough

26th August 2020, 19.48:06	#7-0 (permalink)
pricey Due a Testimonial (info 1 & 2) (info) Joined: Oct 2004 Racecourse Spot: Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: DK - 'chipping away' Some good signings so far to be fair. I still feel we need more players who know the area well for us to be successful. __________________ "the lads here have always looked up to me" - Dennis Lawrence

28th August 2020, 09.20:45	#8-0 (permalink)
Bigmike Cult Hero Joined: Feb 2011 Racecourse Spot: Yale Stand Real Name: Mike Twitter: @	Re: DK - 'chipping away' I remember a quote from Kevin Keegan when he was manager at Newcastle "the most important part of the job is recruitment" I dont want to count chickens before they have hatched however "on paper now" and previously he does seem to be at least quite good at it.