from the observer

[JKiF]

 

 

ST ALBANS CITY boss Colin Lippiatt should have a full squad of 15 players to choose from ahead of Saturday's trip to Dorchester Town in the Conference South.

 

Both Ben Walshe and Scott Cousins were too ill to feature against Cambridge City on New Year's Day - although Cousins did make the bench - but both are now back in contention as City look to move out of the bottom three.

 

"Ben Walshe was out ill and had no chance and Scott Cousins was also struggling with illness and should not have been anywhere near a team-sheet but he showed great spirit and offered to help out if we really got in trouble," said Lippiatt.

 

"Effectively though, we only had Lee Charles to bring off the substitutes bench. It is slightly frustrating we don't have the numbers we'd like but we've got a full squad for Saturday," Lippiatt added.

 

Charles though, will have to wait a little longer before getting a first City start: "Lee has joined on a non-contract basis until the end of January, but, if the team is doing well, whoever it is, they will have to wait for their opportunity.

 

"Tom Beech has had four excellent games but we talked about his goal return so it was important for him to score on Saturday," said the boss.

 

And Lippiatt will not be able to bring in any new faces until next month at the earliest: "To be fair, I've not broached the subject with John Gibson. I can't see us bringing in anyone at the moment but Lee Charles and Tom Davis only have deals to January so who knows what will happen there."

 

However, City fans will be delighted to learn that Gary Elphick - on work experience from Brighton and Hove Albion - is likely to be at Clarence Park for the remainder of the season.

 

"I speak to Martin Hinshelwood (Brighton's director of youth football) regularly and he's been down watching Gary a few times and it shouldn't be a problem keeping him here for the rest of the campaign."

[Woody]

Excellent news about Gary Elphick.

[JKiF]

indeed!

 

the other bit i glanced this morning was (someone will no doubt correct me)

that the Manager was glad to give back something to the supporters who've been thru a lot ..

 

the fella's pressing the right buttons

[Woody]

......."We can talk about all the obvious quotes, like there is a long way to go and all that, but from the position we have inherited, we simply needed to focus on ourselves and give ourselves an opportunity to get out of trouble. Ten points from the last 12 have helped us do that," said Lippiatt.

 

"Being off the bottom has given everyone a big psychological boost. You look at the table now and it is very packed. Anybody who puts a winning run together can get up that table."

 

"In the short term, I'm just pleased for the club's supporters. The players have owed the supporters for a while. Now we've made a good start to 2005 let's hope we can continue in the same vein".......

 

 

This manager talks a lot of sense. I like it.

 

 

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