Defence is key for the Quakers

Apr 1 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THE attention of Darlington’s fans might be on whether the club can find two fit forwards to pair at Barnet tonight, but manager Dave Penney is more concerned about the other end of the field.

The Yorkshireman has told his players they must rediscover the miserly streak that put them in the League Two promotion race or risking dropping out of it. The Quakers entertain Barnet having fallen out of the automatic places and their manager is in no doubt as to where the blame lies.

Darlington’s defensive record had been the best of the 92 clubs, but the nine goals conceded in their last four games has ruined that. “We aren’t winning football matches and keeping clean sheets so we need to get back to that as soon as possible,” he said. “We’ve conceded nine goals in four games, which isn’t like us.”

Ian Miller will be hoping to force his way back into the side as Penney looks to eradicate the basic errors which have been so costly.

“I thought we actually played quite well in the first half against Bradford on Saturday, then we conceded some sloppy goals,” he said.

“We’ve got the option to make changes at the back if we need to.

“It’s just bad mistakes that are costing us, nothing more than that. People are losing their markers and making daft mistakes and it’s costing us. But we’re certainly not throwing in the towel when it comes to automatic promotion.”

Julian Joachim, who has spent most of this season on the right, threatens to be Darlington’s only available forward with Richie Foran suspended for his red card against the Bantams. Penney, though, is hopeful that will not be the case.

“We’re hoping Tommy Wright and Gregg Blundell will be available but we’ve got Guy Ndumbu-Nsungu and Pawel Abbott injured , so we’re a bit light up front but it’s up to the players who get their chance to step up to the plate,” he said.