Story by Kevin Luff - 12th January 2007
Darlington host Peterborough United this weekend as they looked to avoid equalling a club record of nine defeats in a row. Not since the 1985/86 campaign have Quakers lost nine games in a row. Peterborough United however are hardly in spectacular form themselves. The Posh are currently in seventh place in the table but the best they have managed in their last six games is a draw.
Saturday's game will the first league fixture of the new year for Darlington and they will hoping the change of digits in the date will give them a fresh start. Quakers go into this game on the back of an improved performance in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Darlington lost 2-0 but looked much more solid at the back in the first period. It has been a long break since the last league match and manager Dave Penney believes the time off from the bread and butter of league football will have helped.
"To be perfectly honest we needed the break," admitted Penney. "The injuries and the illnesses that we have had over the Christmas period have been well documented. Now all of a sudden the players are starting to get fit again. The flu really knocked us sideways. Now hopefully they are coming back, we can add a few more bodies and we can look a bit stronger as a club."
Darlington have made a number of new additions including the loan signings of David Wheater, Lee Jones and Evan Horwwod. Darlington have also signed Tim Ryan and Kevin Burgess. Quakers have also seen the departures of Barry Conlon and Carlos Logan. Penney will be hoping the additions and changes can give Darlington fresh impetus in the league and he is refusing to write off the season.
"We went on a run of six wins and now there is a loss of eight. A draw would have been nice in their somewhere," said Penney. "We were a point outside of the play-offs and now we are eight. There is still a long way to go and a lot of points to be played for. We certainly haven't written anything off yet. The main thing is now that we don't get sucked in behind us and start looking over our shoulders. We need to get back to winning ways as quick as possible and start moving up the table."
Former Darlington manager Tommy Taylor is returning to the club this weekend. Now first team coach at London Road he is looking to avoid Quakers inflicting what would be a double having seen his side well beaten earlier in the campaign. Peterborough have bought in a number of new faces and will be hoping that this corrects their run of form.
"I believe our defence is a lot quicker now than it was when we faced Darlington earlier in the season. I think we have brought in some excellent players and it is an exciting time. I had a good time at Darlington when I managed there, I still know a few of the people there and I am looking forward to the game," first team coach Taylor said.
Posh have doubts over Ben Futcher (bruised cheekbone) and striker Danny Crow (sickness and diarrhoea) for the clash. Evan Horwood could be doubtful for Darlington. If he misses out Ryan will be handed his debut tomorrow.
