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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: Darren on February 11, 2009, 06:56:55 PM
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Beware backlash warns Alty boss
4:16pm Wednesday 11th February 2009
GRAHAM HEATHCOTE has warned his Altrincham players to be ready for a backlash from Torquay, after their promotion hopes were dented by a shock home defeat by Weymouth on Tuesday night.
Alty head for the English Riviera on Saturday and can be sure of a hot reception after Torquay blew their chance of moving into second place, behind runaway leaders Burton Albion, after losing 2-0 to their south coast rivals.
The upset lifted Weymouth ahead of Alty in the table, but Heathcote was more concerned about the task facing his side at Plainmoor as Torquay bid to bounce back.
“That didn't do us any favours,” said the Alty boss. “I am going to have to think long and hard about how we approach the game, because it is going to be more difficult than ever for us now. The one thing you can be sure about is that a side fighting for a play-off place is going to come up with a reaction to losing at home like that.
“We have got to make sure we are ready for it. We have worked on a few things in training and will work on a few more before we set off on Friday. I fully expect a response from the Torquay players, and I just hope ours are ready for that and able to meet the challenge.”
On the injury front, Dale Johnson trained, and is expected to be fit, as did Greg Young. Anthony Danylyk, who did some training after a dead leg, and Chris Denham, who was unable to join in after having stitches removed from a long-standing eye injury, face late tests.
Colin Little is on course for a possible return from hamstring trouble at home to Woking a week on Saturday.
Heathcote has joined in the widespread condemnation of referee Tony Harrington's late decision to call off last Saturday’s home game with Eastbourne.
“It was a classic case of one man going against the wishes of everyone else,” he said. “It was heartbreaking to look at that pitch and think you weren't being allowed to play on it.”
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If Torquay really go for it on Sat to get a result and their promotion push back on track then they may leave a few gaps at the back. We may need a bit of pace to take advantage.
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If Torquay really go for it on Sat to get a result and their promotion push back on track then they may leave a few gaps at the back. We may need a bit of pace to take advantage.
Droylsden's finest?
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I also fear a backlash especially if Torquay play like the did against Coventry.
Fair play to Weymouth, getting 3 points under their present financial cloud