DEAN Evans’ decision to stay at Weymouth was a “no-brainer” as he looks to help the Terras improve on last season’s showing.

His side just missed out on the play-offs last season but the battling midfielder feels the club are moving in the right direction after Jason Matthews has already signed up nine of the first-team squad on new deals.

He told Echosport: “It’s a massive thing to keep the squad together. When you get to know each other’s games it helps. Team spirit goes a long way and we have that in abundance.

“It helps on the pitch, when you’re close you want to work for each other and you go the extra mile to help your mates out.

“The club is going in the right direction, we all want to make that step up and it’s only a matter of time before it happens.”

With such a tight-knit squad at the Bob Lucas Stadium, Evans feels there aren’t many areas to improve.

He added: “I think we could do with another striker, because last season we only had Ben (Thomson) and Yetts (Stewart Yetton).

“Another wide man would be good, but I know Jason (Matthews) has it all under control.”

After the midfielder signed his contract, Matthews told Echosport that the 29-year-old was an integral part of his side, a compliment Evans is happy to receive.

He said: “It’s always nice to receive good comments.

“It makes you feel wanted and good about yourself. It gives you the extra bit to push on.

“I’m loving my football at Weymouth and until that stops I can’t see myself leaving this club.”

Before his return for pre-season at the end of June, Evans is taking on the Yeovil Marathon to keep himself “ticking over”, a very different definition to most players summer break.

“I’ve always wanted to do one and I’m really looking forward to it,” he explained.

“I’ve been putting in the miles recently, something to keep me ticking over.

“I’m hoping to run a time of around three hours, but we will have to wait and see.”