GUISELEY joint boss Russ O’Neill admits that his side need to add a more “ruthless edge” to their performances next season.

Prior to the 2020/21 campaign being declared null and void, the Nethermoor side found themselves just above the drop zone with 15 games played and with a tally of only 17 goals scored to their name, which proved to be a hindrance in the Whites finding consistent form.

But the recent signing of prolific striker Jake Day from Alfreton Town, could prove to be the missing piece in the jigsaw leading into next season, or so O’Neill hopes.

He said: “Jake Day will bring a presence to the side. I’ve watched his career as it has developed, because he has always scored goals, wherever he has been.

“But the last eighteen months to two years, he has really knuckled down and started to dedicate his life towards the game. He’s in exactly the same position, Aaron Martin was in when he signed for us.

“He scored a similar number of goals as Aaron in the lower leagues, their ages were similar, and I think it’s exactly the right time to give someone like him an opportunity.

“We are also hopeful that he can replicate the same form as Aaron, because I feel that the performances were good last season, however we just didn’t have enough goals in the side.”

O’Neill added: “We have tried to identify that this summer, and we’ve brought in Jordan Thewlis and Jake Day. Andy Kellett and Kaine Felix have signed on too, so hopefully we’ve got a lot of goals in the side, and we begin to add that ruthless edge to our performances."

Guiseley return to pre-season training on June 29, and in line with their comeback, friendly fixtures have been announced against Everton U23's, Ilkley Town, Gainsborough Trinity and most recently Bradford City.

And O'Neill was quick to express his delight with the prospect of football returning, and even more so for the fans.

He said: "The last two seasons have been destroyed because of the pandemic, so it's going to be a massive lift to everybody to get back.

"We have been back for the previous month, but only once a week, and there is a real buzz around the place.

"It's going to be great to get back playing games, but for now it's one step at a time. June 29 will see us move to three sessions a week, so that's the first step.

"Once we start training again, the lads will want the games to start coming thick and fast, and realistically the next step is the games.

"Gainsborough will be a tough test for us, as will Everton, but a different test. They've got some of the top end youngsters in the country. And Bradford have just appointed a top manager from their division, so we are anticipating them bringing a strong first team."

O'Neill added: "We are looking forward to all of them fixtures because they will offer us with some good pre-season tests.The fans are returning too which is huge. I think the biggest thing which has been missing throughout the pandemic and football, is the supporters. Players have still been able to play behind closed doors, but it has not been the same."