Time to focus, warns Miller

May 13 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

DARLINGTON’S first leg hero Ian Miller believes the Quakers must discount all thoughts of Wembley as their play-off semi-final remains in the balance.

The Quakers may be just 90 minutes away from a Wembley date and a crack at promotion but a quick glance through the history of play-offs past should be enough to eliminate the last hint of complacency as they look to take a decisive step towards League One.

Miller’s injury-time header snatched what could prove to be a decisive advantage for Darlington on Saturday but their lead is a slender one and no-one at a club that has twice come up losers in the play-off lottery will need reminding how quickly the complexion of the tie can change at Spotland.

Rochdale looked dangerous for long spells on Saturday and are primed to go on the offensive from the start at Spotland, a venue where the Quakers slipped to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat on New Year’s Day.

While Darlington are set to be boosted by the return of striker Pawel Abbott, there is no chance of leading scorer Tommy Wright making the trip North West.

But, whatever the line-up, Miller believes thoughts of a third Wembley final in 12 years should be far from the minds of every single member of playing staff at Neasham Road. “Wembley’s a possibility but we’ve got to remember we’re only half-way through the tie,” he said.

“We did really well in the first leg, especially in defence when you consider that we had players out of position in energy-sapping conditions but my goal gives us the upper hand but anything can happen at their place.

“So we can’t get complacent but we’ve just to focus on doing an efficient job so we can celebrate getting to Wembley.

“To be honest I think that every player that says they don’t get nervous when Wembley is beckoning is lying.

“But then again nerves can do players a world of good as well but it’s a case of controlling them. Nerves do play a big part but they will more so at Rochdale, especially when time is running out.

“That’s when accidents can happen and that’s why we’ve got to make sure we avoid thinking about open-top bus tours around Darlington when we’ve still got ten minutes to play.

“That can happen and that’s why we’ve got to make sure we stay switched on for as long as necessary – or 95 minutes in the case of the first leg – until that final whistle goes.”

One experiment that probably won’t be repeated is the enlisting of former England manager Steve McClaren in the run-up to Saturday’s visit of Rochdale,

McClaren remains locally-based and is a close friend of Darlington boss Dave Penney, hence his recruitment ahead of the Quakers’ biggest game of the campaign, and Miller says his input was welcome.

While McClaren’s disastrous spell in charge of the national team has stained his CV, he remains a well-renowned coach who served with distinction under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and the Darlington defender was happy to welcome him.

“It was good to have different perspective on things,” he said.

“His training was different from most of the things we’ve done before but the lads treated him like they would do any other coach even though he used to be the manager of the England team.

“He was great with all of us and it was a fun, enjoyable session. It might have played a part in the first leg it might not have but I think that we need to do that sort of thing more often. His coaching went down well with all the lads.”