Bucks boss McIntosh happy to play the waiting game

Martin McIntosh will welcome his players back for training next week.

Buxton have already added several new signings to their ranks as well as retaining many of their key players from last season, the new campaign due to kick off on August 13.

But McIntosh says he will have to be patient when it comes to adding further new names.

He said: “You can’t rush into it. The reality is that so many good players are holding out for the right deals and if you try and get your squad done and dusted too early you run the risk of missing out on some real talent that might become available as the summer progresses.

“I’m happy with what we’ve got at this stage and am willing to be patient when it comes to more signings. I only want players here who want to play for Buxton, rather than just being here to pick up the cash, and it has to be the right fit for both parties.

“So we’ll have a few trialists in for pre-season and no doubt will give a few of them game time so we can properly assess them.

“It’s a long pre-season this year as our first game is on July 2, a good six weeks before the first league match, so we’ve got plenty of time.”

McIntosh was also keen to explain the reasons behind the departure of goalkeeper Phil Barnes from the Silverlands, the 37-year-old having recently signed for local rivals Matlock Town.

Barnes was a consistent performer for the Bucks last season before suffering an injury in the latter stages.

McIntosh said: “I’ve known Phil a long time and when he came in he was terrific for us for six months.

“The problem is that as a result of his injury, he’s had to have a major operation on his shoulder. With him being 37-years-old and given the nature of the operation he had done, I simply couldn’t risk having Phil here as my main or only goalkeeper in the run up to the season.

“I spoke to Phil and he agreed with me 100 per cent. I therefore wasn’t surprised when I saw he’d signed for Matlock, but on a personal level I couldn’t risk a situation where he might have got injured a week before the season started and I’d be left scrambling around for a goalkeeper.

“We’ve instead brought in Jan Budtz who will be a great signing for us I’m sure.”

McIntosh says he is now looking forward to what should be another competitive season of Evo-Stik Premier Division football, if something of a congested one.

He added: “It still amazes me that we’ve got one of the biggest divisions and yet are starting a week later than leagues with far fewer teams and that don’t have as many games to cram in, but it’s the same for everyone and once again it will be a busy time.

“I expect the division to be as tough as ever with lots of travelling adding to the amount of games, but that’s why putting a strong squad to gether is so important, so that we can cope with the rigours that kind of schedule brings.

“A good start will be key as there are bound to be lots of twists and turns along the way. We saw last year what effect losing three or four key players at once can have on a season and it was hard to recover, particularly with so many games to cram in at the end.

“But I’m looking forward to it as always and will be pleased to have everyone back in training next Tuesday night.”