Source: Northern_Echo
Russell provides the right reaction
AFTER making a pivotal penalty save in Tuesday's win at Cambridge United, Darlington keeper Sam Russell hopes he has given boss Mark Cooper the reaction he was looking for.[LNB] The Quakers boss openly criticised the Middlesbroughborn stopper in the aftermath of the 4-0 defeat at Luton Town two weeks ago, but the 28-year-old was on hand on Tuesday to help his side record their second league away win of the season.[LNB] Just seven minutes into the game at the Abbey Stadium the hosts were awarded a spotkick, but Russell's save saw the game swing in Darlington's favour and gave them the momentum to win.[LNB] But Russell's heroics were not the first time this season Russell has given his side a helping hand. Last month, the 28-year-old also denied Tamworth's Alex Rodman from the spot, also when the score was 0-0.[LNB] The former Wrexham man accepts the criticism he received in the wake of the defeat to Luton, he said: As you get older you've got to have a little bit more mental strength about you and hopefully I have.[LNB] If the manager criticises me I think it's all for a reaction and hopefully I've given him the reaction that he wants.[LNB] Nobody likes to concede four goals and to be at fault for goals but as a goalkeeper that's going to happen and it'll probably happen more down the years but I'll keep plugging away and help keep things solid at the back.[LNB] Tuesday's result was also Quakers' third clean sheet in four games and Russell believes the fact the squad now has belief in themselves is behind their recent good form.[LNB] I think there's belief now that we didn't have in the first part of the season, Russell said.[LNB] It's a strange feeling, you can feel it out there on the pitch. There's more resilience so hopefully we can carry that on and if we do win the games in hand we could be in for a good month.[LNB] We've got a great bunch of lads and everyone is working hard and if we can do that the belief will keep coming and we'll turn teams over a lot more comfortably and hopefully end the season on a good run.[LNB] Darlington, now 11th and nine points off the play-offs, hope to make it four wins in a row when they travel to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.[LNB] However, Quakers will be without striker Liam Hatch who collected his tenth yellow card of the season at Cambridge.[LNB] He will serve a twogame ban so also misses next Tuesday's home game with Kidderminster Harriers.[LNB]
