Boston United boss Hurst happy with squad after duo sign ahead of Saturday's opener
New-look Boston Town have added two more new faces to the squad ahead of Saturday's big National League opener at home to Aldershot.
Vastly experienced centre-half Niall Canavan, 35, and former Derby County striker Lennon Wheeldon, 20, have both signed one year deals and boss Paul Hurst said: “The squad is coming together nicely.
“We were looking at Niall before we signed Jamie (Grimes).
“It is important we have some experience in the squad, and having someone else takes the weight off one person by having another experienced head at the back.
“If someone gets injured early on there is another one there to fill the void or they play in the team together.
“I was impressed with Lennon's attitude and work rate. He is a young player who I think has more development in him.
“He was in a South Shields side on loan from Derby last season who were fighting at the top end of the table and he contributed well.
“I like what I have seen of him. He has an aggressive side to him and is a strong boy for a young man. He runs in behind which is something that seems harder and harder to find these days.
“He can play as a 10 or a centre forward so gives us options in an area of the pitch in which we were a bit light.”
He added: “I have probably got room for one more player in an attacking area to help what we've got already.
“But I am very happy with what we've got.
“It may be a case of seeing how things go over the first few weeks of the season, though things can happen quickly and if something came up that was do-able we will always try to act upon it.”
The Pilgrims ended their pre-season schedule with a home midweek 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town and a 2-0 defeat at Hednesford on Saturday.
“I was disappointed with the result and the performance at Hednesford and the Grimsby game was okay but a slow tempo,” said Hurst.
“Maybe it was the warm evening, but maybe it's also about getting ready for the games that do matter, starting on Saturday.”
Aldershot, who avoided the drop by just four points last season, have responded with a new manager and, having let 25 players go, have brought 21 new faces in.
“We have had them watched and I have managed to watch one of their games too so I think we have a decent idea of what we'll be coming up against in terms of the team and the structure of it,” said Hurst.
“We will know bits about the actual individuals in it but not as much as some of the other sides like Boreham Wood.
“But at the same time there has to be a focus on ourselves being the first game.
“We will be respectful of them and it's all a bit unknown as we will be for them too.
“At the start of the season everyone goes in with high hopes and ambitions.
“It's like everyone can pretend they're a boxer until they get smacked in the face. It's then how you react.
“I am sure that will happen to most teams including ourselves in the opening weeks.
“But we're looking forward to it. I think now you want the season to begin.
“We will be in front of our own fans and the aim will always be to try to get off to a winning start.
“But I am sure Aldershot will come with very much the same intention.”