DORCHESTER Town manager Leigh Robinson admits he is looking to sign players “on the way up” over those in the autumn of their careers.

Robinson has identified youth and dynamism as key traits as he goes about building his first squad as Magpies’ boss.

So far, the former Taunton gaffer has added 14 players to the ranks and admitted more would soon be on the way.

However, in looking to turn Dorchester’s fortunes around, he stressed the need to recruit hungry players keen to make their mark.

He told Echosport: “Across the board we needed to be a lot more dynamic team, we needed to get a lot more legs in the team.

“As a club, we’ve got a lot to offer players in terms of facilities, pitch and setup we’ve got.

“Crucially, we need to make sure we’ve got the right personalities in the squad in terms of the hunger.

“When I came in, I didn’t see that hunger from players. A key part of recruitment is to make sure we kept our Tom Blairs, Franklyn Clarkes and Tom Baths as well as bringing in people who are up and coming and hungry to prove themselves.

“Really try and avoid players that are on the way down. We’ve tried to go quite young and people on the way up or people who’ve proved themselves in this division.”

Asked which positions he would like to strengthen, he said: “Probably all over, there’s no unit – i.e. defence, midfield and attack – where I’ve said ‘we’re done, we don’t need anyone else.’

“We as a club, and with coronavirus as well, are in a position where if someone comes along who’s better than what we’ve got, then we have to look at it.

“Dorchester badly needs a massive turnaround from the last couple of seasons and the only way to do that is by ensuring we find the strongest possible 16 players come September.

“I’m not shutting the door on anyone yet.

“If someone comes in and proves they’re better than what we’ve got, it poses the question to me.

“It’s quite likely we’ll have at least one signing in defence, midfield and attack as pre-season progresses.”

Dorchester have not yet signed a keeper but Robinson moved to reassure fans.

“That’s all under control. I can’t announce anything about that at this stage but should be announced in the next couple of weeks or so,” he said.

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