PRE-SEASON UPDATE: Craig Harrison prepares squad for league start in pre-season tournament
New Saints' boss Craig Harrison is using pre-season games to run the rule over his playing squad ahead of the club's inaugural Football League campaign. However, things haven't got off to the smoothest start.
Firstly, the team travelled to Spain to visit Segunda Division side SD Huesca, only to fall to a 2-0 defeat. This wasn't a concerning result for Harrison necessarily, given the gulf in quality between the two teams and the amount of new players TNS had playing together for the first time.
Next up was a tour of Scotland and two games against Scottish Premiership opposition. This began with a 3-0 defeat to Dundee United, a sobering loss for TNS with the eve of the season drawing near. In truth, Harrison's team was never really in the game.
The next leg of the Scotland tour was more encouraging, with TNS only narrowly defeated by St. Mirren in an entertaining game that finished 3-2. Chris Draper scored both goals, confirming his starting spot for the season ahead, but Saints' defensive frailty will be causing some concern to Craig Harrison.
With the transfer window still open, TNS may wish to strengthen before the deadline. Chairman Mike Harris has made £750,000 available for new transfers (including signing-on fees), which may present difficulties in terms of securing top talent in the fee-paying market. Harrison may have to look toward free agents and trialists instead.
