I think we'd have liked to keep Clarke too, but it became clear that wouldn't happen. At one point we were looking close to getting Ginnelly, but that didn't get over the line and he went to Walsall.
It's hard to gauge to what extent Micky's remarks are aimed at a wider audience and an indicator that we're not in a position to pay excessive fees. Due to the transfer window closing at the start of the season, he knows that we need to have sufficient squad depth from the off, last season's loan signings DMH and Banks in particular turned around a dismal start, but a similar option won't be available now. It's always hard to know how much weight to attach to pre-season, but the first two games have been encouraging and provide some options to explore with regard to player recruitment.
My feeling is that the cost of being in L2 again has taken the owners by surprise and we cannot compete with the big spenders. In that context, I think Mark Palios should actually rein in any remarks raising expectations, when we appear unable to afford a marquee signing and haven't replaced Andy Cook. As Accrington and Macclesfield showed last season, money isn't everything, but without it, you need a fair slice of luck in avoiding injuries. Our minimum target for next season is to stay up and the signings we're yet to make will be pivotal in determining whether and how easily we can reach that bottom line.
