Luke Young explained that competition for places can only benefit Wrexham as the Red Dragons prepare to open the Vanarama National League campaign against Eastleigh.
Three of the Club's six summer signings got their first minutes at the Racecourse Ground in last weekend's 4-0 pre-season victory over Macclesfield FC, and will be hoping to make their competitive debuts this afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the curtain-raiser against Eastleigh, Young said the new boys have settled in well, and will provide welcome competition for places throughout the campaign.
“We’ve got a very good group overall, so welcoming new lads into the group is easy," the skipper said. "Once you’ve been here for a couple of days it’s like you’ve been here for a couple of years.
“The mentality that we have is that we’re all in it together; we’re a very tight-knit group and we all work hard for each another.”
Five of the six summer additions have experience at EFL level, something Young believes will stand the squad in good stead going forward.
“We’ve got quality all over the pitch and now we’ve got the squad depth, which I think we lacked in stages last season. If you look now, we’ve got at least two players for every position, so everyone has to fight for their place.
“That’s only going to make it better if you’re in the starting 11 - if you’re not, you’re pushing that player ahead of you to get your shirt. It’s all good competition.”
Our first visitors of the season, Eastleigh, come to the Racecourse after finishing 19th last time out, but after making numerous signings themselves, they will be looking for an improved performance this term.
It was in the 2020/21 season we last recorded an opening-day victory, and Young stated it’s the hardest one to get.
“The start is key, the first win is the hardest one to get," he added. "If we can do that on Saturday then happy days; if not, we move on to the next one.
“I’ve got no doubt in my mind that all being well we’ll get that on Saturday. It’s a case of taking it one game at a time starting from Saturday. We’re ready to go.”