By Martin Walker
Craig Liddle admits Darlington’s form is “horrendous” – but he’s adamant the Quakers can turn it around.
Darlo were deducted 10 points for entering administration in January, and a nine-match winless run has seen them slide down the Blue Square Bet Premier table.
They’re now fourth-bottom and only keeping their head above the drop-zone on goal difference.
They hope to chalk up their first win since December – a 2-0 victory at home to Cambridge – when they take on fellow strugglers Stockport County at the Northern Echo Arena today.
Liddle said: “The results we’ve had look horrendous, but I’ve been able to take a lot of positives from the performances, especially from the youngsters because it will do them the world of good in the long run.
“It’s not right that they’re playing but they will learn from the experience.
“There’s only been once or twice when we’ve let ourselves down. At Alfreton we didn’t do ourselves justice, but the 5-2 defeat at Mansfield was harsh on the youngsters because we didn’t deserve to be on the end of a hammering.
“I’ve been looking at the run-in for a while now and the games that have gone, without being too negative, were always going to be hard to get points from considering the size of our squad and the youthfulness of it.
“Those games are behind us, we’re still out of the bottom four and now we’ve got a run of games that we can hopefully get some points from.”
Liddle is expecting to have Aaron Brown and Ryan Bowman back in the side today, but he’ll probably be without midfielder Adam Rundle (calf), forward Dale Hopson (groin) and winger Danny Lambert (thigh).
“Aaron Brown and Ryan Bowan, fingers crossed, should be fit,” said Lidds.
“But the game is probably a few days too early for Adam Rundle. Dale Hopson and Danny Lambert are both out so we really are short on bodies.
“With both Danny and Dale it’s down to fatigue, the amount of games and training they’ve had to do at a different level that they’re used to. It’s something that was always going to happen and something I was always aware of.
“You’ve got to be mindful that they are kids, not men, and their bodies aren’t physically ready to play week, week out so these sorts of injuries are going to crop up no doubt.”
Liddle is hoping to have Neil Wainwright available today, but he has been frustrated in his efforts to bring players in due to the transfer embargo hanging over the club.
He added: “The Conference look at each individual case so we send in a report when someone is injured and they’ll look at it, but it’s still difficult to get players to come.
“There was no game last Saturday, but there’s been no break because I’ve tried non-stop to bring players in. Every name that is thrown at men, believe me I’ve aware of them and I have tried.
“Even players further down the leagues are under contract, the better Northern League players, so we can’t do anything about that.”
