Quakers urged to get sharp
Oct 31 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
KEVIN Richardson has asked Darlington to sharpen their shooting at Hereford United today.
The Quakers have scored just six goals in 14 games, a big reason why they will still be bottom of League Two regardless of the result at Edgar Street.
Newcastle-born assistant manager Richardson, a former coach at Sunderland as well as his home-town club, is anxious to see the statistic improve.
“We created enough opportunities last week (in a 3-0 defeat at Barnet), and didn’t put one in,” said the former Everton, Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder.
“We’ve been working this week so hopefully when we create chances this weekend someone will put the ball in the net.
“The good thing is we’re still creating chances. If you’re not creating anything, it’s a big problem. We created a lot last week and whether we need a bit more luck, it just wasn’t going to happen.
“It was a cruel result regarding the performance. I noticed a lot of Darlington fans there last week and that was good to see, hopefully they saw some positives and keep encouraging the players.”
Darlington’s problems are not limited to attacking, however. Their only clean sheet came in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win, with 24 goals league conceded. It is something Richardson is aware of, saying: “It might come down to goal difference, so we need to stop conceding goals.”
The flood of new signings which have accompanied the arrival of Richardson and manager Steve Staunton has continued this week, with two players set to make their debuts against the Bulls.
Ashlee Jones, a 22-year-old former Crystal Palace and Kingstonian goalkeeper, was signed after being released by League One Wycombe Wanderers. And 23-year-old midfielder Nathan Mulligan has joined from Northern League side Norton and Stockton Ancients.
A decision on Moses Barnett, whose loan from Everton expires today, will be made after the game. Darlington expect to have former Ibiza striker Mor Diop back from injury, but whether Ian Miller and Gary Smith return is less clear.
“We’re getting nearer to having everyone back,” said Richardson. “Mor started very well with us but just picked up a slight thigh strain. He’s been back in training but, again, it’s whether he has a reaction. If not I think he’ll be involved.
“We don’t think Ian will make this weekend. We’ve got our fingers crossed, but we have to listen to the medical people. Gary has been training with the physio this week and has been gradually progressing. He trained on Thursday with the lads and he’ll be assessed.”
Hereford’s options are also improving, with attacking midfielder Marc Pugh (calf) and defenders Darren Jones and Darren Dennehy (both ankle) back in contention after lengthy spells on the sidelines. James Walker has gone back to Southend United after Hereford opted not to extend his loan spell.
Last week’s defeat at Underhill took the shine off the first league win of the season at home to Shrewsbury the previous week, but Richardson said the players had been unaffected.
“I think you can tell by the body language of the players,” he said. “They’re more upbeat.”
