DEPARTED County ace Paul Bignot has set the template in boss Anthony Hudson’s mind as he looks to complete his squad recruitment in time for the new season.

The Exiles once again had a number of trialists in their ranks as they beat League Two Cheltenham 1-0 on Saturday but of that group only right back Paul Rodgers and midfielder Guillaume Velez seem certain to be offered contracts.

And Hudson revealed that ‘Mr Consistent’ Bignot, who joined Championship club Blackpool for an undisclosed fee, is exactly the type he is looking for. “We’ve had huge numbers in, but what we need is consistency, like you get from a guy like Paul Bignot,” he said.

“Consistency will be key for us and that’s why we continue to look for new faces.

“The performances are the main thing, the results don’t mean anything to me, they really don’t, because we could go through pre-season unbeaten and then get to Kettering and it’s a tough game and we lose. Pre-season results don’t mean much.

“But a winning mentality is what I am looking for in the team.

“Recruitment is taking up virtually all my time and we need to make sure we get the next two, or three or four right and that takes time, you can’t see someone for 30 minutes and decide he’s for you.

“I’ve stated I want a squad of around 20 ideally, I can have a squad of 16 or 30 if I want within the budget, the amount that we’ve set for ourselves, but 20 seems about right.

“Every day we are getting towards the core of what we want, but player wise we need more and I’m grateful we’ve got another two weeks of pre-season to bed down. There were things against Cheltenham were we weren’t at our best and the next fortnight will be massive.”

Hudson saw two Pauls – Rodgers and Robson fill the void left by Bignot and seemed keen on both players as potential signings.

“It was positive from Paul Rodgers, he fitted in quite well,” he said. “I think we are very close to doing a deal with him.

“Paul Robson I know from America, he’s English, from Hull, he’s never played for me but I know him from the second division out there and I know he could easily have played Major League Soccer. He was hindered by their foreigner quota.

“He’s not a flashy type who is going to set the world alight, but he’s very consistent with a great attitude and I don’t think I’ve seen him have a bad game.

“He’s a free agent, reliable and could be another option for us.”

Despite the stresses of playing the transfer market, Hudson is enjoying making his mark.

“This year I am building my team, the way I what things to be done, we are starting fresh and we’ve added some experience and it feels like starting from a clean slate and that’s probably the best thing for me,” he confirmed.

Hudson revealed striker Craig McAllister missed the contest with a bruised heel but expects him to be fit for the start of the new campaign. Away from Spytty Park, it was a good day for assistant boss Lee Harrison who enjoyed his last game as a professional, skippering Barnet against a Tottenham XI.

The Bees were 3-0 up when Harrison went off and eventually won the game 3-2.

Follow us on Twitter. Search for @argusoncounty