BRIDPORT assistant-manager Paddy Behan has urged the club to recruit experienced players this summer.

The Bees have done well considering the inexperienced nature of their squad, and Behan says that they must focus on adding experienced heads.

He said: “I think we need a core. We’ll probably be looking at a more established centre-half, or someone who is a bit more flexible. I think we also need someone with experience in the middle of the park and we need someone up top or an attacking midfielder who is going to chip in with 10 or 15 goals through the season.

“Mark Salter is irreplaceable, but we need to get some more experienced support around him.

“There were games last season where we were on top but couldn’t see sides off. When Sam Buckler arrived for the last five or six games of last season, he gave us that bit of calmness whereas some of the younger, and less established players would have panicked.

“We have a young squad and you just need an old head to control things, and you can only get that from playing football year in, year out.”

But while seeking more mature heads, Behan is hoping that the club’s current squad will remain next year.

He said: “We’re hoping that they’re all going to stay. The lads worked really hard this year and we’ll be having a few words with some of the lads this week but I can’t see any reason why they won’t stay.

“We know that there’s going to be interest in certain players, and I’m sure one or two of them will be approached by other clubs but I just hope they will stay with us and believe in what we’re doing.”