Story by Kevin Luff - 15th December 2006
Quakers will look to return to winning ways this weekend with their home game against Notts County. Darlington have lost their last two league games and will be keen to return to winning ways ahead of the Christmas period. Opponents Notts County are just a single point ahead of Darlington in the table and a positive result could see them leap-frog the Magpies.
Darlington manager Dave Penney enjoyed a fantastic start to his time as Quakers' boss but will be more keen than most to see his side get back into the points this weekend. Penney however has had to contend with horrendous injury problems in the centre of defence and feels a return to home soil could take some of the strain off a patched up defence.
"We had a great start with six wins from six. Then all of a sudden we start loosing personnel in the shape of the goalkeeper and centre-halves. All of a sudden we look vulnerable defensively," admitted Penney. "We have to try and get people back. We have had two tough away games and should have done better but defensive injuries have killed us to a certain extent but we are at home so hopefully we won't have as much defending to do."
With both sides so close to each other in the table Penney knows it is a chance Quakers would do well to take up. Notts County have lost their last three games and are themselves in need of a good result. The Darlington manager is still expecting a tough afternoon despite the dip in form from the visitors.
"They are a point above us so it is a great opportunity for us. It is a tough game for us. They are a strong, physical side and they like to play the ball back to front very quickly. They have a lot of experience and they are doing quite well because they were struggling last season and Steve Thompson has gone in there and turned a lot of players around and they have started the season great. They are a point above us so it is an ideal chance to try and catch them," said the Quakers' boss.
The defensive problems that Penney has suffered of late could be eased with the return of Darren Holloway. The former Sunderland player has trained but was not risked in the reserve game against Hartlepool United last night and could well be in contention for a return to first team action at the weekend. Notts County meanwhile are also suffering from problems. David Pipe is set to miss the game through injury and forward Jason Lee is suspended for picking up ten bookings so far this campaign.
Ahead of the trip to the North East Magpies manager Steve Thompson wants his players to become a bit more aggressive out on the pitch in a bid to return to form.
"What I have said to the players is perhaps I've signed a nice bunch of players, but now it's time for one or two of them to be a bit more ugly and put themselves around a bit," said Thompson. "I don't mean go out there punching the daylights out of each other, but not to be too nice to each other when we are out on the pitch. If they want geeing up, gee them up. That's what I've told them."
