Gale targeting experienced reinforcements
Shaun Gale. Picture: Dave Haines
Hawks manager Shaun Gale has been given the green light to bring in reinforcements as they look to avoid being dragged into a Blue Square Bet South relegation dogfight.
Chairman Derek Pope has made the funds available as the Hawks face a difficult visit to top-four Welling United tonight (7.45pm).
The 3-2 defeat by Chelmsford City at the weekend saw the Hawks drop down to 17th, just six points above the drop-zone, prompting a need for action.
Gale admits his side need to pick up points sooner rather than later.
And the boss feels he needs to try and inject greater experience into his squad.
‘I have been on the phone all weekend trying to bring a couple of players in,’ said Gale.
‘It might not happen in time for the game at Welling.
‘But in our situation we need to have a couple of experienced heads to see us through.
‘We are a very young side and our inexperience and naivety is costing us at times.
‘I can’t knock the enthusiasm, effort and work-rate from them but there is a lot of pressure on young shoulders.
‘If we can get a couple more experienced players in alongside them it could make all the difference.
‘I may need to freshen things up a little at Welling anyway.’
At Chelmsford the Hawks played with Scott Jones as the lone striker in the first half and the move failed to pay off.
The horrendous weather conditions didn’t help but Jones found himself isolated and outnumbered whenever the ball was played into him.
Gale changed the system after the break, putting Ollie Palmer alongside Jones and Craig Braham-Barrett in behind the front two.
That gave the Hawks a greater threat. And if the manager is unable to bring in any new faces in time, he may consider something along similar lines at Welling.
Braham-Barrett, who has found himself out of favour in recent weeks, would relish the chance to play against one of his former clubs.
Gale also has Bobby Hopkinson available in midfield after serving his three-match suspension, although Perry Ryan is a doubt with a badly swollen ankle.
Jones could also be ruled out of the equation by recurring groin problems.
‘It is all about results now,’ said Gale. ‘We have to grind out a few results to get us out of this situation.
‘There is still a six-point gap between us and the bottom sides and we have to make sure that doesn’t close.
‘There are still plenty of points left to play for and I am looking for us to kick on and finish in a positive fashion.
‘The players know what they have to do and it is a case of them putting it into practice.
‘We have got two more tough away games this week and must look to pick up points from them, starting at Welling.
‘If we can dig deep and get a couple of results it will boost our confidence and change the whole picture.’
Hawks: Beazley, Newton, Woodford, Pearce, Holland, McDonald, Ryan, Hinshelwood, Igoe, Ramsey, Palmer, Arthur, Jones, Braham-Barrett, Whyte, Geteski, Thompson
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
StuNorthEnd
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:20 PM@2 - Would they have someone who goes mental and gets sent off every game though? 10 on the pitch in a competitive league with loads of injured players and also he gets suspended when he's needed the most..........well Simon Elley used to play for them lol !!
Gamma500
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:38 AMWell said 4.. Gales done a great job... but it is time to move on
draytonian
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:33 AMthe only way the hawks will survive is if gale goes now. i like him, he had a great run as manager with the mighty cup run and reaching the playoffs but whats he done in the past 2 seasons? A TEAM LIKE HAVANT WITH SOME OF THE PLAYERS THEY HAVE SHOULD BE UP CHALLENGING FOR THE PLAYOFFS. ALTHOUGH IM A POMPEY FAN I ATTEND A FEW HAWKS GAMES A SEASON AND LOVE MY YEARLY AWAY TRIP TO DORCHESTER WHERE A COUPLE OF MATES LIVE and look at the difference now. The magpies used to be relegation fighting every season but this year theyve come far and have knightsie at the helm and like havant theyve also lost players with dickenson joining brighton who was there top scorer. Ok hawks have lost tiryaki, fogden and a few others but time for change. Gale needs to go and if steve claridge is stilldoing the business for gosport then wont he be tempted by a player managers role? All the best shaun Gale, but even you must admit that your hanging by a thread. Relegation will be a major disaster for all concerned with hwfc.
PFC_Paul
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:13 AMHawks need a better manager, that'd help us avoid a relegation dogfight.
Le Critique
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:40 AMWould they have someone who goes mental and gets sent off every game though? 10 on the pitch in a competitive league with loads of injured players and also he gets suspended when he's needed the most. He's not worth a s*hit the way he's been carrying on. Let the scummers have him and he could ruin their promotion run. At least then he might be useful.
chimonkey
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:52 PMHawks can have Kitson on loan for the rest of the season!!
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