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Tough it out

Simon Smedley
20/ 8/2008

COUNTY boss Jim Gannon has been encouraged by his side’s opening week of action in League One, but he has warned his players that the tough games will keep on coming.

The single-goal Carling Cup defeat last Tuesday at Leicester aside, when Matty McNeil’s early red card certainly hindered hopes, County have played two league games and drawn both.

However, Gannon is fully aware that much more hard work will have to be put in.

He said: "Having reflected on the two draws I think it’s been a respectable start, but nothing more than that. We’ve got to use this as a platform to build on now. We’ve played well in both games, defended well and looked solid as a team, and we look like we can play good football. We just need to work hard to make sure we’re more effective in our attacking play, especially on counter-attacking and setplays.  We’ve acquitted ourselves very well, which is encouraging, but it is going to be tough for the players to put in that kind of effort, week in, week out. Our opponents won’t all be as good as Huddersfield and Leicester, but we will have to be at our best in most games and that’s demanding in itself."

County travel to Hartlepool on Saturday hoping to register their first win since promotion, but new striker Peter Thompson is a major doubt to make the trip due to a thigh injury. The former Linfield hit-man joined up with the Northern Ireland squad on Sunday ahead of tonight’s [Wed] friendly fixture in Scotland, but later withdrew before returning to County on Monday for treatment.

McNeil will be available again after suspension, so he may spearhead County’s attack at Victoria Park if Thompson is ruled out.

Meanwhile Gannon, who along with his assistant Peter Ward remains in negotiations with County chiefs regarding a new contract, has revealed that he might only be able add one, or maybe two, new players to his young squad before the September 1 transfer deadline. He added: "There’s not a great deal of money available.  If we are to make any more signings we will have to be prudent when considering who we bring in."

COUNTY’S goalscoring hero from last season, Liam Dickinson, has joined Huddersfield Town on loan from Derby County.