Published Date:
15 August 2008
Rob Dunion's first match in charge of Rothwell Town sees the Bones get the unenviable task of going to BGB Southern League Division One Midlands newcomers Arlesey Town.
And Dunion will head to Bedfordshire with a brand new squad and an intention for the Bones to show their mean streak.
"It seems to have taken forever for us to get to this point. But I am happy with how have prepared for the game," he said.
"This is certainly not the easiest start we could have had and I think if we make sure we don't lose rather than be anything gung-ho then I'll be happy.
"That's not being pessimistic or unambitious. It's simply a case that I could have 11 new players out there at some point tomorrow and we can't just play free-flowing attacking football straight away.
"That said, I'll be playing two strikers in Kevin Byrne and Chris Difante who know how to put the ball in the net.
"But they'll need good support and we'll need to ensure we keep a solid shape.
"If we can keep taking something from our away games, even if it's only a point, then we'll be in pretty good order".
Arlesey have switched to the Southern League from the Ryman Isthmian League where they finished 15th in Division One North last season.
Dunion has had them watched and from the reports he has had back he will be fielding a side not afraid of getting its hands dirty.
"I'll be picking players like Pete Sneddon, Robbie Maddox, Andy Brown and Ollie Wilkinson, players who can stick a foot in and scrap for it," he said.
"I envisage it will be that sort of game and our best tactic may well be to try and catch them on the break."
One player Dunion will also soon be able to pick is Martin Flannigan who is rejoining the Bones from Bedford Town.
But his registration will not go through in time for him to take part tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Micky Tolton, Justin McKenzie, Liam Boath and Dan Rogers have all gone on loan to UCL Premier Division side Desborough Town.
Dunion will also be without injured trio Rashid Koriya (shin splints), Ben Greasley (thigh) and Liam McInally (thigh) and the unavailable Tom Smith, Faizal Koriya and Stewart Marshall.
But Danny Marlow and David Glass both return while former Cameroon under-21 international Alex Malong replaces Smith in goal.
Rothwell from: Malong, Wilkinson, Campbell, Rice, Brown, Marlow, Glass,
Maddox, Pownell, Hackett, Bridgeford, Sneddon, Boyle-Chong, Byrne, Difante, Kennedy.
-
Last Updated:
15 August 2008 3:35 PM
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
Kettering