Obi Anorou’s departure leaves Anthony Wright searching for Vauxhall Motors goalscorer

Jun 29 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

ANTHONY WRIGHT admits filling the void left by departed top goalscorer Obi Anorou will prove his biggest challenge during his premier summer as a number one at Vauxhall Motors.

Stepping up to the helm at Rivacre Park following the departure of Carl Macauley, Wright is preparing for life without Anorou who has returned to Wrexham at the end of his loan spell.

The Nigerian smashed in 16 goals during his season long loan for the Wirral outfit, top scoring and helping his temporary employers stave off any threat of relegation.

His departure looks set to leave goal scoring responsibility firmly at the feet of Leighton McGivern who finished last term in hot form - notching seven times in Motors’ final nine outings.

"The main problem will be replacing Obi really," said Wright. "He was top scorer and it will be difficult finding a replacement on our budget.

"We've got a couple for pre-season to look at.

"I've been working hard to get a couple of lads in but don't want to say who they are yet in case someone steals them.

"It's looking good though, a couple of lads who I want to keep have said they want to stay."

Brian Moogan also departs after two years with the Motormen and the retirement of Neil Prince has the new manager running the rule over a glut of trialists during this week's opening training sessions in a bid to improve his options.

At the club since 2004, Wright understands the financial constraints in place and will weigh up the acquisition of trialists when deals have been struck to ensure the services of his current crop are retained - admitting he will have to carefully pick and choose which trialists are worth an outlay.

"We've got to see what other players will be getting first and then we can take it from there," he added.

"We won’t be able to sign them all because people know we operate on a budget."

Despite the pressures of drafting in players, Wright is eager to get the season underway - insisting he is in no rush to make drastic changes from the formula applied by Macauley.

"It's a strange one to be honest," added the former player turned Motormen manager. "Karl was doing a great job, when he said he was going to leave for Liverpool's academy I had a decision to make.

"I've been doing it with Karl for a long time though so not much changes.

"The same philosophy. We're a footballing team who get the ball down. I feel I'm up to the job.”