DEREK Adams has hinted that he may call on the old boys’ network in his City rebuild.
The new Bantams boss is poised to start the recruitment drive to refresh the squad he has inherited.
The first signing of the summer is expected to be unveiled shortly as fans prepare for a rush of new faces.
Some of those are likely to be familiar ones with Adams, who has a reputation of bringing players with him from previous clubs.
As the Telegraph & Argus has reported, City are already being strongly linked with the likes of Morecambe duo Cole Stockton and Yann Songo’o and former Plymouth utility man Oscar Threlkeld.
Captain Sam Lavelle was the only player in Morecambe’s Wembley-winning starting line-up under Adams who is still in contract after this month.
So there could be a mass exodus of the Shrimps side that made club history by reaching League One for the first time.
“It could potentially happen,” said the City chief, when asked about targeting players from his former clubs.
“If they’ve done well for me in the past and I think they could do well for me here, then there’s nothing to say I won’t do that – although that’s not saying I will.”
Midfield enforcer Songo’o, in particular, has played for Adams at three previous clubs and followed him from Ross County to Plymouth and then Morecambe last season.
Adams is happy to work alongside recruitment head Lee Turnbull at Valley Parade with identifying potential signings. But the manager will have the final say.
He added: “Speaking with Lee already, I’ve outlined the players and positions I would like to address and what we need to strengthen.
“We’ll do that over the coming days and weeks.
“It’s important you all have ideas of players I think can adapt to the system of play we have and can come in and do well.
“Lee will have obviously watched games as well and he’ll put players to me and then the final decision comes down to me.”
Adams has preferred to play in a 4-2-3-1 system at his previous clubs but wants players who can adapt to changes.
“The fans want to see is hard work but they also want to see skill and players that excite the crowd and they want to win – that’s the main element.”
City are also set to announce news on the four players offered new deals, Sam Hornby, Matty Foulds, Kian Scales and Jorge Sikora.
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