Story by Kevin Luff - 19th October 2006
Gray knows all about Kandol
Quakers welcome Tresor Kandol to the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena this weekend. The Barnet player spent a short spell on loan with Darlington last season. The twenty-five year old only scored twice during his seven game stint with the club before returning to Conference side Dagenham and Redbridge.
His return to Dagenham lasted just one game before he found himself back in League football with Barnet where he notched four goals - one against Darlington at Underhill in the Bees 1-0 win. Despite a troubled summer the former Quakers loan player is still in London with Barnet and has already bagged six goals. Having seen the player first hand in a FA Cup tie at Hartlepool United before his move to Darlington in 2005 Martin Gray knows all about Kandol.
"He is one to watch out for but we know what he is about"
Martin Gray on Quakers World
"He is a handful. Evan though he didn't hit form with us I remember me and Mick Tait went to watch him playing for Dagenham and Redbridge against Hartlepool in the FA Cup he is someone who will always catch the eye because he has got pace and he wins his headers," said Gray. "He has proven this season he does score goals. He is one to watch out for but we know what he is about. He has been around here and the players are well aware of what his strengths are."
Barnet are currently struggling around the bottom end of Coca-Cola League Two and will be desperate for a positive result. Paul Fairclough's side are without a win in seven league games. Kandol will be an important figure for Barnet this season and his goalscoring prowess may well go a long way to deciding if Barnet escape the trap door to the conference. Despite this Gray and Neil Maddison are not intending any special treatment for the player.
"I think personally it is about what we do. It is about how we prepare," declared Gray after last night's reserve defeat. "We know what his strengths are but I don't think we need to change the way we play just because of his game. I think it is important that we prepare the way that is right for us and not because of one player on their team."
Subduing Kandol will be one step towards getting three points. Under Gray and Maddison Quakers steadied the ship last weekend with a deserved 1-1 draw with Hereford United at Edgar Street and having tasted the first point as a management duo the pair are now eager to chalk up the first win. Gray feels a win this weekend is absolutely crucial. With no wins since September he will struggle to find anyone who disagrees with that statement.
"It is a must win this weekend. We can't afford not to get three points and there is no reason why we shouldn't. We've just got to be positive. We have a good selection of players to chose from and hopefully come quarter to five we'll be sitting with smiles on our faces. They'll come up with a game plan but at the end of the day it is about what we do. I am desperate for three points. Its important to get some points on the table because it will take the pressure off everyone and it settles things down and allow us to move the club forward," said Gray.
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