Story by Kevin Luff - 19th March 2006
Hodgson aims to pick up his troops for Barnet
Darlington manager David Hodgson has vowed to pick himself up after the 5-0 home defeat at the hands of League leaders Carlisle United on Saturday. The Quakers' boss is taking comfort from his side's performance in the first half in which Darlington were desperately unlucky to be 1-0 down at the break having hit the post.
"Don't worry about me," said Hodgson. "I will pick myself up without a shadow of a doubt. I will pick myself up because I will look at the performance of the first half and up to the hour mark and I will take a lot of strengths from that. I will use that to get myself in the right frame of mind to start again on Monday. That's what I do."
Carlisle, who have struggled for results in recent years in the North East, ran in four more goals during the second forty-five minutes as Quakers made mistakes at the back which the Blues lethally exploited. Hodgson now has the big task of picking his players up and the Darlington public up following the defeat.
"I've got to try and lift the team up and the public up and start again. I can't do any more than that"
Dave Hodgson on Quakers World
"Leading up to the second goal I honestly believe at times we were the better side, with better possession of the ball, better shape and better movement," said Hodgson. "Getting a goal against you in the forty-fourth minute is a cruel blow. To get a second in the manner which they scored was very hurtful. Of all the errors to happen it happened and then to finish it off with a fifth goal with how it happened was highly disappointing. Am I disappointed? Of course I am. I've got to try and lift the team up and the public up and start again. I can't do any more than that."
Hodgson felt that the difference between the two sides was Carlisle's strikeforce of Bridges and Hawley. Quakers had attempted to bring Michael Bridges to the TFM Darlington Arena earlier in the campaign but were unable to afford his wages. Hodgson also commented that the rest of the Blues side were strong and well organised.
"I think what Carlisle have got is a fantastic strikeforce," said Hodgson. "In other area of the field they are strong and disciplined but it is the two on the front line Bridges and Hawley which set them apart from anybody else at our level. Why? Because they are quality."
Darlington are now seven points off their play-off place target and games are running out. As it stands the manager feels that as long it is mathematically possible then Quakers can be in with a shout of making the play-offs. However Hodgson concedes that the game against Barnet next weekend is a massive one to see how and if Quakers can bounce back.
"We are seven points out and it is difficult," admitted Hodgson. "But as long as it is mathematically possible, which it is, then yes we can make it. Carlisle will come up against some of those sides above us and they will beat them. Then on the day that they beat them if we win all things change. I think the crucial match now is how we come back off this defeat at Barnet."
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