Simon Grayson speaks to PNE.Com about his first delve into the summer transfer market with the acquisition of Jamie Jones and Calum Woods.
The Leyton Orient shot stopper and Huddersfield Town defender will move to Deepdale from the 1st July, and Lilywhites boss Grayson is more than happy with his first two recruits of the summer, firstly admitting that Jones was at the top of the tree when it came to assessing goalkeeping options for 2014/15.
“It’s no secret that we would have liked to have brought Declan (Rudd) back to the Club, but that was very much in Norwich’s hands, so then we pursued other options and Jamie (Jones) was top of our goalkeeping list,” stated the gaffer.
“He’s played a lot of games and got a lot of experience, and he’s played a major part in Orient being successful for the past two years.
“They say that goalkeepers get better with age, and I’m sure working with Alan Kelly, Thorsten Stuckmann, and Steven James, the goalkeeping unit will be very competitive which hopefully will lead to a successful squad.”
With versatility being such a big element in the present day game, Grayson was just as pleased to secure the services of defender Woods, a player with a wealth of promotion experience and someone the manager knows well from his time as Terriers boss.
“We are wanting players that are still young, hungry and vibrant, but also that have played a number of games, and a number of high pressure games as well, and Callum fits into that,” continued the North End boss.
“We’re not bringing in players here just to make up the numbers; we’re bringing players in to improve the squad.
"He’s got good pace, likes a tackle, and I do feel he’ll be another good acquisition for our squad.
“Huddersfield were close to keeping him but they decided against it, and as soon as I saw he was available I thought he’d be another one who’d fit well and truly into the squad we’re developing at this moment in time.
“Obviously we’ve landed two now, but over the next few weeks we’ll still be adding to the squad, because we feel the acquisition of a few more players could be the difference between missing out on promotion and going up next year.”