Paul Doswell to 'reinforce' disciplinary message to Hawks player as George McLennan becomes fourth different player dismissed this season

Hawks boss Paul Doswell conceded his side's disciplinary record this season is 'not good enough'.
Godfrey Poku reacts after being shown a red card in Hawks' FA Cup win over Cray Valley. Picture: Kieron LoulodisGodfrey Poku reacts after being shown a red card in Hawks' FA Cup win over Cray Valley. Picture: Kieron Loulodis
Godfrey Poku reacts after being shown a red card in Hawks' FA Cup win over Cray Valley. Picture: Kieron Loulodis

And it's a message the manager will be reinforcing to his players in the coming weeks.

George Mclennan's first-half dismissal in the 0-0 National League South draw with Slough Town on Wednesday added to the growing number of red cards the club have received this season.

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He became the fourth player Hawks have had sent off in 13 matches in all competitions after previous reds for Godfrey Poku (v Cray Valley PM), Billy Clifford (v Dartford) and Anthony Straker (v Marine).

In addition to Straker’s red card in the FA Cup loss, Hawks also had six other players booked that day.

Added to that, Roarie Deacon was sent off in a pre-season friendly against Wealdstone and Josh Taylor was dismissed for violent conduct as Doswell's side suffered a play-off semi-final defeat to Dartford in late July.

Prior to that, Bedsente Gomis and Simon Walton had been red-carded in successive home games against Weymouth and Dulwich last February.

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Although Doswell admitted that record is poor, he is conscious of a 'fine line' on tackling when getting the message across to his players.

'It’s something we are looking at (discipline),' he remarked.

'There are too many times we’re playing - and it happened last season - with 10 men is not a good recipe for anything.

‘It’s not good enough, discipline is crucial.

'Of the four sending offs so far, two of them are for straight leg challenges.

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‘But there is a fine line to it. It’s already been done (speaking about discipline).

‘We do talk about it regularly and a fine system is in place if you get booked for dissent.

‘It’s something, again, we’ll be reinforcing to the players.

‘It’s a fine line between what you ask them to do.

‘Both Godfrey’s and George’s were for a similar type of challenge and, unfortunately, referees don’t like them.'

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The club are taking a look back at the footage of Mclennan's tackle before deciding whether to appeal.

Hawks - in 10th place after the home draw with Slough - head to Ebbsfleet United, immediately above them in the table, this weekend as they look to get back to winning ways.