Bartlett confident about squad (From Harrow Times)

Bartlett confident about squad

12:30pm Friday 8th August 2008

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Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett believes his squad is the strongest since he joined the club.

The Stones are building up to the start of the Ryman Premier season on Saturday week and Bartlett is happy with how his players are shaping up for the big kick-off.

Bartlett said: "I went on record as saying the squad last year was the best I have worked with. But now I think it has improved and I'm delighted with how the players have responded during pre-season."

The Stones have added to their options by signing midfielder Kieron Forbes after he was released by Watford. They have also snapped up 19-year-old full-back Marvin McCoy, another ex-Hornet, from Leyton.

Bartlett said: "Both have enormous potential and they have real pace. They're technically very good and want to get back into the professional game and we want to help them achieve that."

Meanwhile Wealdstone winger Graeme Montgomery played 75 minutes for a Watford XI at St Albans on Tuesday night as part of his trial with the Championship club.

The Stones were held to a 1-1 draw at Enfield Town on Tuesday night as they continued their preparation for the new campaign. Midfielder David Hicks maintained his goalscoring form with the opener for the visitors before they were pegged back.

"I thought we were very good for 30 minutes in the second half," Bartlett said. "I was very pleased because we were trying different systems and the players were responding to what I asked them to do.

"We lost at Burnham on Saturday 3-2 but it was still a very valuable game for us. We are learning about individuals all the time and about who to sign. I need to know which players are capable of adjusting during matches. If they keep coming up with the goods it's only going to benefit us."

Wealdstone entertain Hemel Hempstead Town tomorrow at Grosvenor Vale before their last warm-up game against AFC Hayes on Monday night.

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