Story by Kevin Luff - 4th August 2006
Darlington entertain Macclesfield Town this weekend as they look to kick off their Coca-Cola League Two campaign on a winning note. Quakers have bought in several new players as they bid to climb out the division and will go into this match on the back of an excellent pre-season where only Leeds United were able to inflict defeat upon David Hodgson's side.
Quakers have several players who could make their debuts. The likelihood is however that some may well have to wait to make their bows in front of the Darlington faithful. Darlington have completed nine pre-season season signings with the latest (Darren Holloway) signing on the dotted line yesterday. Striker Barry Conlon is one new addition to the squad from last season but he won't be making his bow on Saturday - he's already an old head when it comes to pulling on the Darlington shirt.
The Irishman returned to the club after an ill-fated two year spell at Barnsley. Conlon enjoyed a good start to his time with the Tykes but injuries caused problems. Conlon will be as keen to have a good season as Darlington are following his move. Much talk has been made over the last few weeks of Quakers pushing the boat out in search for another forward but any such deal before Saturday is unlikely and even it were Hodgson is not keen to change things so late in the day. Instead it seems that Hodgson will turn to Conlon and Giallanza for the goals during the opening period and the Darlington boss believes Giallanza will top the scoring charts.
"I think it's possible that he will come out with the most goals at the club next season. I have a real feeling that he will do very well for us," said Hodgson in the Northern Echo. "It's sometimes difficult for foreign players to adapt, but he has settled in straight away. It was a big decision for him to leave Switzerland with his family, especially with his wife due to give birth. He wants this to work and I have every confidence that it will."
Hodgson is more than happy with his current set-up, one that he believes may be better than the one that made Wembley in 2000. "We have a strong squad. This squad might be stronger than the one that got to the play-off final in 2000. But then we had Marco Gabbiadini, and do we have anyone now who can get over 20 goals?," said Hodgson yesterday on Quakers World.
Darlington have few worries going into this game. Midfielder Michael Cummins missed the final pre-season game at York but is confident he will be able to figure in the League Two opener. Macclesfield Town meanwhile will be without Andy Smart for the trip. The defender has missed most of pre-season with an ankle injury and faces another couple of weeks on the sidelines. Silkmen manager Brian Horton has attempted to add another new face to his side before the season starts but like Hodgson may have to wait. Instead Horton will make a late decision between goalkeepers Tommy Lee and Jonny Brain, while Jimmy McNulty, Carl Regan and Colin Heath could make debuts.
