Source: Northern_Echo
Play for the club, pleads Cooper
MARK Cooper is urging his Darlington players to stand up and be counted in today's Blue Square Bet Premier match at Mansfield.[LNB] After starting with an eightmatch unbeaten run, the Quakers are now struggling to find form after three defeats on the bounce.[LNB] Cooper has seen his side slip from within two points of the play-offs down to 14th position and the former Peterborough boss thinks it's time his players justified their places.[LNB] It's time for action now,[LNB] Cooper said. I'm fed up of them talking and me talking, asking what's wrong and watching dvds of games. You can only do that for so long.[LNB] We've been talking for three months now about what they think they can do and how good they are. It's time for action now.[LNB] I'm fed up of hearing excuses from them. I work hard, the staff work hard and now it's time for the players to roll up their sleeves and play for the club because they're not doing that at the moment.[LNB] The reason we've lost games is the lack of the desire to run about, the lack of desire for defenders to head the ball, fear from midfield players about going to get the ball and play.[LNB] They're playing with an incredible amount of fear.[LNB] All I want is 11 players who want to run about, head the ball, have a shot, tackle and enjoy playing football and we haven't had that in the last few weeks.[LNB] I just want a reaction. I want somebody to say Look at me gaffer, I'm running about and sweating for the cause,' that's all I want. I can forgive the rest but we haven't had that.[LNB] Sooner or later you have to stand up and be counted otherwise you have to be replaced.[LNB] Mansfield have gone four games without a win but Cooper insists the Stags will be up for the battle and expects a tough test at Field Mill.[LNB] They are a good side but they've had a hiccup as well and lost two or three on the bounce. So it's not one for the faint-hearted I'd suggest,'' he said.[LNB] Cooper also revealed that defender Paul Arnison will miss the trip with a stomach strain but Liam Hatch could return after an illness and Chris Moore is in contention after returning from a loan spell at Spennymoor.[LNB] Arnison joins Paul Terry on the treatment table after the midfielder suffered cruciate ligament damage last weekend and will now miss the rest of the season.[LNB] Paul Arnison has pulled a muscle in his stomach, Liam Hatch will come back in after illness and it'll be good to have him back if he's firing. So we'll be looking to use him in some way,'' added Cooper.[LNB] Chris Moore is the only one that hasn't had a chance and I really hope if he does get it he proves me wrong.[LNB] Meanwhile, Cooper has signed Carlisle midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson on an initial one-month loan deal.[LNB] The 31-year-old has also played at Derby, Stockport, Bradford and Port Vale.[LNB]
