Dwayne Samuels: AFC Telford must recruit
Player of the Year Dwayne Samuels admits AFC Telford United's squad needs improving this summer if they are to challenge for a top-six place next season.
The popular right-back won the supporters' vote as their choice as the Bucks stayed in National League North with a game to spare.
But the former West Brom youth-teamer believes changes are needed if Telford are to look to turn their great escape into a play-off challenge next season.
Samuels said: "There needs to be changes. Let's not kid ourselves that just because we stayed up with a game to spare we're suddenly world beaters – because we're not."
"As well as ability, we showed a lot of character and desire at times and things started going for us.
"But if I was the manager, I wouldn't be thinking after we finished 18th 'this is the side that kept us up, so this will get us into the top six.'
"A club like Telford should be looking at the play-offs as a minimum so I definitely think there needs to be a few improvements in the team."
Samuels insists he would like to be part of a better future at the New Bucks Head, however. He said: "I'm out of contract so if there's an offer on the table then great.
"I would love to play a part in what happens to the club in the future and where it wants to be, but that's down to the management."
Samuels is settled at Telford and revealed with some pride that survival after being bottom of the table for so long was his best achievement in football.
He said: "Up to this season, getting to the FA Cup first round with Harrogate few seasons ago was the best thing I'd done in football, but after being where we were, it has to be this.
"Coming to a club like this means a lot to me because my family are supporters and my nephew comes to watch the games. The club doesn't deserve to be in a lower division.
"It's got a nice stadium and great fans. I kept thinking 'surely it's not going to happen?'"
Samuels admitted he was surprised to win the award but was delighted, adding: "When you come to a club in October like I did, you never consider you're going to be a player the fans are going to vote for.
"But my mum and dad were there and they were chuffed for me and it was a great feeling. I was over the moon – so a massive thank you to the fans."