Lossiemouth manager Joe Russell feels his side must add a cutting edge if they are to climb the table next season.
The 16th-placed Coasters’ campaign was cut short with four games still to play. However, Russell was left frustrated by a return of only 22 goals.
Russell felt profligacy prevented his side from adding to their tally of 13 points, but he hopes the addition of experienced forward Martin Charlesworth can boost Lossie’s firepower next term.
Russell said: “There was an awful lot of frustration this year, because we were close in quite a few games.
“When we didn’t take our chances, the games ran away from us a little bit when we had the momentum.
“There were a few games like that, where the points total could have been a little bit better.
“Getting the goals was the obvious area needing improvement.
“Hopefully Martin can come in and get the goals-for column in a healthier position.
“Martin has trained with the boys and has been to a few games, so he knows how close we are to kicking on and hopefully getting up the table.”
Russell says a vastly-improved goals against column was grounds for encouragement, which he hopes to further build on with the recent additions of Jared Kennedy and Tom Palmer.
He said: “There were still massive improvements from the year previous, when we conceded 139 goals.
“Although this season was cut short a little bit, we only had four games left to play.
“We had improved the goals-against ratio – not quite enough, but it was about 50 goals better off.
“And we brought a few boys in to shore up the defence.
“We’ve got young Jared Kennedy who myself, Ian and Scott Campbell have got experience of working with at Elgin City when we took the youths, so we know what Jared brings.
“We’ve also got a lad from the RAF – Tom Palmer, who made his debut coming on against Buckie and played really well.
“These boys will shore up the defence and get the numbers down.”
Russell insists the experienced campaigners in his squad will have a crucial role to play, adding: “The experience of Martin and the likes of Kevin Flett is massive.
“You can’t buy that, you’ve got to gain it. Hopefully, he can pass that on to some of the youngsters and help them kick on a bit.
“Some of them have got real potential, but it’s about realising that potential. I think some of them don’t realise how good they could be.”
