Steven Schumacher plans to do everything he can to make Wanderers better next season, writes Pete Oliver.
Schumacher saw Wanderers sign off with a 1-1 draw against Stevenage which brought their winless run to six games to end the campaign.
The Whites’ head coach will now crack on with his re-building plans on the back of a result that left Wanderers in eighth place in League One – 10 points outside the play-off zone.
“I think the first 15 minutes probably summed it up,” admitted Schumacher. “In the first three minutes we created two unbelievable chances that should have been goals and then created another one when Aaron Collins should score.
“From being where it should be 3-0 up and enjoy the day, party atmosphere and then pass the ball around it becomes a bit of a scrap. The game was closer than it needed to be.
“We got ourselves in front from another set-play goal, which was good, and then probably should have lost the game because the last 20 minutes was messy, scruffy. That game probably sums up the whole season.”
Schumacher will sit down with his entire squad next week to outline his plans, which involve out-goings and new signings over the summer as the Whites build towards a fifth successive season in League One.
“The hard work's already started,” he added. “I've made my mind up a couple of weeks ago on areas that we need to strengthen in the squad. It's not difficult to see where we're lacking, it's not difficult to see that we need better players, so that's what we'll try and do.
“There'll be people who are not in the plans that will get told next week and that preparation's already underway. What we've got currently hasn't been good enough this year so we need to make sure that we're stronger and to give us a chance to get promoted. That's the aim and that's what we've got to try and figure out.”
Schumacher was again pleased with the performance of the young players given a chance to feature again in an injury-hit squad which thanked the fans for their support after the final whistle.
And the Whites’ boss is determined to try and reward that backing when he starts his first full season in charge.
“It’s been frustrating for everyone. The fans are obviously the most important people at the club that we need to try and get it right for. They've been frustrated in this division for too long, so stick with us,” he said.
“I can see what needs to change, what we can try and do to do different and, as I say, put a team out there next year that can go one better.
“That’s the aim but thanks for all the support from them. They've been brilliant with us, with me in particular as well, since I've got here and I appreciate some staying behind today to clap the players off. The effort has been there the majority of the time, just the quality hasn't.”
Watch the full post-match interview with Steven on Wanderers TV