Dave Penney is hoping Darlington's approach of quality rather than quantity will help their promotion hunt.
Darlo boss eyes promotion with smaller squad
Dave Penney is hoping Darlington's approach of quality rather than quantity will help them in their League Two promotion hunt.
The Quakers looked on course to escape the basement division before an end-of-season slump, where they won just two of their final 12 games, saw them slip back into the play-off pack.
And they suffered heartache at the semi-final stage, going out on penalties against Rochdale at Spotland after drawing 3-3 over two tense ties.
Penney has seen his playing budget reduced for the new season and has been forced to cut his cloth accordingly.
And while the former Doncaster boss accepts that the Quakers will have their work cut out with a reduced squad, he is hoping the players he has brought in will help them challenge once again.
Tougher
He told
Sky Sports News: "There's only one team can win it, and three that can go up, with 24 teams going for it.
"There are a lot of teams spending big money at this level and paying big wages, so it's going to be tougher than last year.
"We haven't got the depth of squad we had last year, but we're hoping we have a little bit more quality."
Quakers skipper Steve Foster could not bring himself to watch the play-off finals after their Spotland despair, but insists the squad are now fully focused on the new season, which kicks-off next Saturday with a home meeting against newly-promoted Exeter.
Bright
And Foster believes two of Penney's summer signings - Stockport midfielders David Poole and Adam Griffin - will provide the width which was missing from last term's failed promotion bid.
He added on
Sky Sports News: "I didn't watch any of the finals, because we wanted to be there. As soon the play-offs were over with, you just get on with your holiday and look forward to the following season.
"Everyone has come in and training has been bright. Everyone is just raring for the 9th to come.
"I think we struggled a little bit on the wings at times last season, and the gaffer has managed to bring in two wingers who are very direct and will get at players."
