Source: Northern_Echo
Duo rely on positive thinking
COLIN TODD and Dean Windass have labelled Darlington’s position at the foot of the Football League as “disastrous” and “embarrassing.”
Few Quakers supporters would argue with the views of a management team who have overseen a run of seven games that has yielded just one point.
However, a positive result against League Two table-toppers Bournemouth this afternoon would relieve mounting pressure on Todd and his assistant, while narrowing the gap between Darlington and a position of safety.
In mitigation, Todd will point to the wholesale rebuilding programme he has undertaken since taking charge at The Northern Echo Arena at the end of May.
In total, 18 players have been recruited since Todd’s arrival, several on a short-term loan basis, and the lack of seasoned professionals in his squad has begun to tell.
Darlington may be out of administration but the legacy of being unable to offer contracts at the end of last season, or compete in the summer transfer market, is still visible on the pitch.
Midfielder Jamie Chandler has been one of the few youngsters to have thrived during his loan spell while the likes of Nathan Porritt and David Knight are more typical examples of promising young players who don’t appear equipped to secure Quakers’ future.
The divison’s leading side boast an impressive record of six victories and one defeat, prompting Todd to bring some experienced figures into his squad.
“Any way you look at it this has been a disastrous start but it’s early days,” said the manager.
“The Bournemouth game is perhaps the time to look to some of the players who have been there and done that and relieve the pressure on the younger lads.
“Some of the young players have done very well but I am aware that I have maybe asked one or two of them to do too much too soon and I take the point that it could be time for experience to play its part.”
Few are more experienced than goalkeeper Russell Hoult, a veteran of over 400 league games, and his arrival on loan from Notts County should bring some authority to the Darlington goal.
Similarly, skipper Steve Foster, who has flitted in and out of Todd’s starting line-up, is expected to start, along with right-back Tony Kane, who met his new teammates yesterday after he arrived from Carlisle United on a onemonth loan.
He will offer competition to Paul Arnison, who is due back in training next week, but defender Mark Bower is not expected to feature this afternoon after picking up an ankle injury in training.
Windass is another vastly experienced figure pressing for a start and the assistant boss admitted the club need to arrest their decline as soon a possible.
“I know that as manager and assistant manager we are judged on results,’’ he said. “The pressure is relentless and I knew that before I took the job.
“Colin and I realise we have to get results – the quicker the better.
If we do that, then our job becomes easier.
“But the pair of us are still bright and bubbly every day and even if some of the players are a bit miserable we put good sessions on and prepare them to win.
“Saturday is a great challenge but it may suit us better because the lads know they’ll have to be at their best against the top-of-thetable side.
“We want to knock Bournemouth off their perch.
“I think when I play it helps the lads to have my experience on the pitch.
“They respect what I can do and it calms a few nerves down. There are a few young lads who’ve not got many games under their belts and they get deflated. It’s my job to lift spirits and lead by example.
“I find it embarrassing to be bottom of the Football League but we have to deal with it, if you feel sorry for yourself you may as well pack the job in.
“We can’t keep going downwards and hopefully Saturday will kick-start a run up the table.”
