Source: Northern_Echo
Davey keen to see all his squad in action
SIMON DAVEY has been manager of Darlington for just a week but he has already learnt plenty about the players under his wing at The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] The ex-Barnsley boss has been at the helm for two matches Saturday's win at Burton Albion and Monday's home defeat to Hereford fielding the same starting XI in both games.[LNB] But there are likely to be changes for Saturday's match at The Northern Echo Arena when Accrington Stanley visit as Davey continues to assess the squad before he begins summer rebuilding work.[LNB] Most players are out of contract at the end of the season and he would like to see them in action, with matches providing a more accurate indication of a player's ability.[LNB] He said: You learn about players during games and on Saturday and Monday I learned a hell of a lot.[LNB] Training is always different.[LNB] Players can look like Lionel Messi in training but then they come out on to the pitch for a game and they're a different player.[LNB] The same can work in reverse.[LNB] Some players, within a group of 20-25 players, can't show themselves but come Saturday they come alive.[LNB] There's no substitute for playing games. We've got to win games, assess the players and also there's other players who haven't played yet who are champing at the bit to impress.[LNB] It's about finding that balance in trying to get results and also looking at players for next season.[LNB] We've got pros within the club that we've got to asses and decide whether we want them at the club next season.[LNB] There's lots of players here out of contract which is an ideal scenario. I'd have been disappointed if I'd come in and there'd been lots of players under contract for another year.[LNB] Meanwhile, Davey has moved to quell any doubts that the club's youth system could be affected by Darlington's impending relegation.[LNB] The consequence of dropping down a division is a reduction in the level of funding available to Quakers' burgeoning youth set-up which has provided numerous players to the first-team this season.[LNB] Josh Gray, Dan Groves, Curtis Main and Michael Smith all featured in Monday's match, a vindication of the work undertaken by head of youth Craig Liddle and centre of excellence manager Neil Maddison.[LNB] If we go down into the Conference the funding changes but Craig and Neil are going to stay here for the duration, said Davey.[LNB] They're doing a fantastic job with the youth team.[LNB]
