Dearden Talks To NCM

How do you think the pre-season preparations have been going?

I’m very pleased. We’ve been back three weeks this coming Thursday, so we’ve had a good game down at Leicester last week behind closed doors, then they went to Ilkeston on Saturday and had a good workout there. But I’m very pleased with the way it has been going up to now.

How do you think the trialists / prospective new signings have been settling in to the new squad?

They’ve done very well. The lads who I’ve brought in cannot sign contracts right now because we’re in administration – which is a bit of a pain to me just now. But you’ve got to get on with it and hopefully as soon as we come out they’ll sign the contracts. They’ve done very well though, they’ve settled in the dressing room well – brought a bit of life and experience into the dressing room and I’m pleased with them.

Well big Clive up front gives us a different option, if we need it. Jenks and Barras, the two defenders who I’ve brought in are experienced players, very good professional’s – that’s what I want in the club. Simon Baldry in the last couple of seasons has had a few bad injuries, but hopefully he’s over that and if we can get him back to what he was I think he’ll be a good asset for the club.

Were you pleased with the work out at Ilkeston on Saturday?

Yes, our passing was not bad. I was disappointed we let a goal in, it was a silly goal but all in all I was quite pleased with the way we knocked it about

What do you think the players will gain out of their Italy trip this week?

Well I think it’s a good bonding trip for them. The new lads will go and I think we’re taking about 18 professionals including 3 goalkeepers and a couple of players who have needed treatment, they’ll be going. We’re not leaving anybody behind here. But it should be a good pre-season trip, it’s a high altitude where they are training in the Dolomites and apparently it’s a very top training venue.

Bill Dearden (right) with Notts County MAD Co-Editor, Tom Loakes (left)