Toolstation NCEL Division One
Although satisfied with their start, Wakefield AFC chief Gabe Mozzini feels his side need to improve in two aspects.
Wakefield sit fourth after winning five of their opening eight matches and the new kids on the block are six points behind leaders Campion.
Mozzini says Wakey need to strengthen their squad and also adjust their playing style.
“There a few signings we need to make,” Mozzini told Non League Yorkshire.
“We need a striker. Jake (Morrison) is out and anyone who plays there is improvised so it could be Owen (Kirwan), Billy (Mole) or Danny Hernandez who is a winger.
“Potentially a centre-back as well. Jimmy (Morris) and Brad Swain are out.
“Jayden Sandhu has been a great signing and he definitely helps us.
“At the beginning of the season when we lost Danny Youel, Billy and Jock (Curran) we were definitely in a weaker position to keep possession as we like to do.
“That being said, teams will do what Campion and Retford did.
“They will press high with four, five or six sometimes and we need to train to work out how to get out of that pressure.
“If we have the right players we’ll be able to do.”
Injuries have been central to any disappointments about the opening eight games.
But Mozzini does admit he has to be happy with their points tally and league footing.
“We are in a strong position to keep competing for the top five and make the play-offs which I assume is the goal for every team in the league,” he said.
“I agree we are in a good position.
“We scored (the winner) in literally the last minute against Brigg and against Shirebrook we scored in the last two minutes of the game.
“The last minute goal against Brigg gave us three points and the last minute goal against Shirebrook gave us a point.
“We definitely could have been in a worse position so I’m not unhappy with where we are in the table and how many points we have got.
“We definitely need to improve and fix a few things in the team.
“We had a good start as we got three wins and one tie from the first four games.
“We were quite happy then injuries got us.
“Our holding midfielder was out for a few games and we struggled against Campion and Retford.
“Danny Youel got injured and is still out.
“Billy Mole was out for a month.
“Jock (Curran) was out for a month.
“Jake (Morrison) is still not back.
“Brad Swain tore his ankle ligaments in the very first game of the season and he is out for months.
“Jimmy (Morris) got injured against Wombwell Main last season and we thought he would be back but he’s had an MRI scan and he’s going to need surgery.
“Six injuries to starting players.
“Campion out-played us and so did Retford and they deserved to win.”
Victory on Saturday in their latest home game could see Wakefield rise as high as second.
Standing in their way is struggling Worsbrough Bridge who have recorded one win in ten games.
“I expect a tough game,” Mozzini said.
“I went to Campion to watch them on Wednesday. We lost 2-0 there, they lost 3-1.
“They managed to score against them.
“Their number nine is good. The goalkeeper is really good and they have a centre-half who is solid as well and they are in a difficult position where they need points at all costs.
“I expect a very difficult game.”
Wakefield are pushing for a big crowd again tomorrow.
Children aged between eight and 12 will be treated to a free football training session by a Level 2 coach if they arrive between 1pm and 2pm.
It is hoped the initiative will help build attendances and the fan-base which Mozzini says is growing.
“I have been very pleased,” he said.
“The first game of the season (against Glasshoughton) was 361 and it was the highest attendance in our league and the league above.
“We have been getting strong numbers.
“Tomorrow I really hope we get good numbers.
“We haven’t played at home and it is a local derby.
“I’ve also been really happy with our away followings. Often it feels like we have more fans than the home team when we play away.”