WEYMOUTH’S David Oldfield has revealed just how challenging this summer has been for the Terras’ manager.

Oldfield has overseen a mass exodus of players following relegation from the Vanarama National League.

Weymouth have lost the experience of Josh McQuoid, Sean Shields and Ollie Harfield among others in the off-season.

The Terras came in for criticism from some fans for a perceived quiet summer, but sprung into action before pre-season, announcing 13 players before the Poole Town friendly with more in the pipeline.

And Oldfield has now laid bare the struggles facing him and assistant Tom Donati this summer.

Asked how difficult this summer had been compared to his previous managerial summers, he told Echosport: “It’s always difficult.

“Geographically it’s always a challenge to recruit players. It is very much the same in most football clubs.

“Some clubs will keep a core of their group and others will want to shuffle and change. It depends on how the previous time has gone.

“I know that we have to change our mentality at the club, make sure we are much more competitive, much more often.

“We’re obviously operating at the level below last season and we need to make sure we understand the challenges and difficulties ahead.

“It’s a very competitive league. I know the teams that went up last season (Maidstone and Dorking), I know them well and they are good sides that will flourish in the league above.

“It’s been a difficult challenge, but it is what it is. We are in a rebuild and that brings its excitement as well.

“Hopefully we can excite the fans, if not in the short term with signings, certainly in terms of getting a hard-working, exciting group that are really working and playing together.”