Source: Northern_Echo
Cooper is looking after his defenders
AS HE prepares his side for today's FA Trophy semi-final first-leg against Gateshead, Darlington manager Mark Cooper insists he has faith in his defenders, despite conceding a late equaliser to Ian Bogie's side on Tuesday.[LNB] Cooper was livid with his side after the meeting at the International Stadium, which saw Quakers throw a two-goal lead away in the last 19 minutes.[LNB] Conceding late goals has become a regular occurrence for Quakers this season, despite the fact they boast one of the best defensive records in the Blue Square Premier.[LNB] Before Tuesday night's draw, Cooper's side had only conceded four goals in their last nine games, form which has seen them make a timely surge up the Conference table to eighth, eight points off the play-offs with games in hand.[LNB] Despite the flurry of late goals, which has cost his side ten points, Quakers' boss is refusing to put the blame on his defenders.[LNB] "I don't want to make a big thing about defending set-pieces because if you do that players start expecting to concede," Cooper said.[LNB] "I think we've got the third best defensive record in the league and that doesn't happen if you've got defensive problems.[LNB] "There may have been lapses in concentration and that's something I've got to solve.[LNB] "I'll take the blame for conceding the late goals and I've got to come up with something to try and solve that."[LNB] Gateshead's first goal came from the penalty spot, awarded after Aman Verma was adjudged to have fouled striker Nathan Fisher.[LNB] Cooper had no qualms about the decision, while he also explained why the Heed were able to score the point-clinching leveller, saying: "It was a definite penalty.[LNB] "A tackle went in that didn't need to be made on a player that was in the box, and my big centre-back lost his man at a corner for the equaliser. It was two mistakes."[LNB] The re-arranged league fixture in midweek means today's clash with 12th-placed Gateshead will be the second instalment of the three-part series between the sides inside 11 days.[LNB] But Cooper believes Tuesday's result won't have any significance on the semi-final and feels the outcome will come down to who wants it more over the two legs.[LNB] Cooper said: "I don't think it makes much psychological difference (playing them earlier in the week).[LNB] "That league game goes out of the window. We could've played ten games beforehand and it wouldn't have made any difference because this is a semi-final and a chance to get to Wembley."[LNB] "Whichever team copes with the pressure and the game will get through.[LNB] "I don't think playing them on Tuesday has had any impact on the cup games because in a two-legged semi-final it's about what happens on the day.[LNB] "It's about which team turns up and does things properly and professionally."[LNB] Quakers have home advantage in the first-leg and after 533 fans made the trip to the International Stadium in midweek, Cooper is hoping they can generate a good atmosphere at The Northern Echo Arena today.[LNB] The boss also revealed he is pleased his side has home advantage today and hopes they can get a result which will stand them in good stead for the second-leg next Saturday.[LNB] "The fans have been brilliant in the last few weeks and have really got behind the team, myself and the chairman.[LNB] "They've made such a difference to the atmosphere in the stadium and on the pitch, and that can only be a positive thing," he said.[LNB] "I know from being a player myself, if it's a good atmosphere you want to play in it.[LNB] "They were really good the other night. I think they doubled Gateshead's crowd, so they've been brilliant and I'm sure they'll be out in force on Saturday.[LNB] "I just feel in the second leg of a semi-final, if you're at home there's a lot of pressure on you.[LNB] "That's just my preference. Hopefully we can still be in the tie come next Saturday.[LNB] "We just want to make sure we have a chance of going to Wembley with the second leg to come.[LNB] "I think it's going to be a tight game and I just want to make sure we're in with a chance of going to Wembley with ten minutes to go in the second leg."[LNB] Darlington are likely to field a similar line-up to that which played on Tuesday, minus the cup-tied Adam Quinn and Michael Smith.[LNB] Dan Burn replaces Quinn with Chris Senior most likely to come into the team for Smith, although Cooper could opt for the burly presence of Tommy Wright against a Heed defence that is likely to see the return of James Curtis.[LNB] The tall centre-back is a regular for Gateshead but missed out on Tuesday, as did leading goalscorer John Shaw, but both are expected to return for the Trophy.[LNB] As well as Smith and Quinn, also cup-tied for Quakers are John McReady and Greg Taylor, while Cooper says that John Campbell is unavailable for at least another week due to a broken hand.[LNB]
