Seagulls boss Craig Laird refuses to break bank in striker search
Weston-super-Mare boss Craig Laird is refusing to rip up the seaside club's wage structure in a bid to win promotion from the Blue Square South League.
Since Saar Kabba left to join Havant & Waterlooville last summer, the Seagulls have lacked a 20-goal-a-season striker.
Although Laird has again steered the seaside club into play-off contention this season, the team's lack of firepower was highlighted when Weston missed a host of chances and went down 4-2 at home to West rivals Bath City in midweek, in the process surrendering a six-match unbeaten run.
While Laird recognises that the recruitment of one decent Blue Square South standard striker could deliver a play-off place in May, he is not about to break the bank in pursuit of glory.
This week's delicious £5 5 O'CLOCKTAIL is a refreshing Tequila Sunrise. Available everyday from our Bar for only £5 between 5pm & 7pm.
Terms: £5 cocktail applies to the cocktail of the week.
Contact: 0117 2448281
Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013
He told The Post: "We are not shopping at Harrods, but at Lidl. I knew the situation when I first came here and we cannot compete with what a lot of other clubs in this league are paying.
"I could change what other players are paid and offer more for a striker, but that only causes divisions within the squad. Every player is on pretty much the same here and it fosters a good spirit within the dressing room.
"As much as I would like a striker who can score 20 goals or more in a season, I'm not going to change the way we do things and put the future of the club at risk.
"We are always looking for strikers and the lower leagues sometimes throw up real bargains."
Weston travel to Hayes & Yeading tomorrow intent upon embarking on another unbeaten run.
But Laird is warning his players they must improve upon their last performance in both penalty areas.
He explained: "We missed a lot of chances and conceded some sloppy goals against Bath.
"Overall, I was pleased with our performance and some of the football we played and, had we been clinical in front of goal, we could easily have led 5-2 at half time.
"We have to better in that respect against a Hayes side that has just come down from the Premier Division."
Comments