Ilkeston Town boss keen to keep settled squad next season

Martin Carruthers wants to keep Ilkeston's squad settled next season. Pic by Lee Prewett.

Ilkeston improved greatly following a slow start to the season with Carruthers impressed by what he saw.

But he knows that he must now keep changes to a minimum as he looks to mount a successful promotion charge in the 2021/22 campaign.

“I have an idea of how I want the squad to look next season,” he said. “I didn't think we were too far away from being a top three side and I don't like to make too many changes.

“Ideally I want 2-3 changes maximum, but a lot will depend on the players and their mentality.

“Some might want to move on, but I would like to think if we can keep the squad 95 per cent together then we will be a major force.

“We had got in a good place and did some really good stuff in the games we played. We learned a lot.

“We looked like a good outfit in and out of possession when the season finished.

“If we get our training right and have the right facilities then we will be a real force to be reckoned with.

“It was disappointing that we didnt get more games to show what this club is made of. We could have competed with the best teams in this division.”

Carruthers has already begun to focus on next season in anticipation of the existing season being officially made null and void in the coming days.

“I don’t think it would be possible for the season to continue so we have to be positive and plan for next season,” he said. “It is still going to be exciting.

“We want to prepare for an uninterrupted season and a return to normality.

“Now we have a clear idea of when we can start to train and play again we will put a fitness plan in place to get players back to some sort of shape for when we return.

“It is a special club and it is exciting to think how far we can take it. The future is exciting.”

Carruthers also praised the board for giving him brilliant backing as he looks to get the club up the football ladder.

“I was keen to get tied into a new deal. It’s an amazing football club. I get tremendous support from the board,”he said.

“I have been given everything they can give me to drive the cub forward. It is a clear statement of intent for taking the club forward.”