Blyth Spartans manager Mick Tait has moved to ameliorate his current frustration.
A new signing to replace former Newcastle reserves captain Mark Doninger, who has moved to Sligo Rovers, has raised Tait’s spirits which were suffering due to abandonment and a postponed this week.
“Despite losing 2-0 to Corby in midweek at halftime when the match was called off due to fog I actually wanted to continue the game as we were playing some of our best football and I was confident of us getting something from the game. The two goals were simply bad defensive errors,” he said.
The postponement of Blyth’s fixture at Hinckley on Saturday due to a frozen pitch was not what Tait needed.
“After the extended winter break we were looking to get back into gear and then another spell of bad weather comes along! It’s very frustrating but there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Tait had his players in for training on Saturday afternoon although some were struggling.
Captain Gareth Williams missed the session while fellow centre back Richard Pell only took part in half of it. Right back Stephen Harrison however did train following a recent injury but is currently serving a suspension.
In view of these issues surrounding his defence Tait is on the look out for defensive cover, but only at the right price.
“I’m reluctant to play some of my midfielders in defence and disrupt that area so I need to strengthen the defence but I won’t be paying over the odds. I have a budget which must be stuck to. Nobody wants this club to be dragged into the kind of financial problems you hear about at others.”
The signing Tait made this week was 22-year-old midfielder Neal Hooks. Hooks is a player Tait has had his eyes on for some time.
“Neal was playing in Australia last summer and I spoke to him while he was out there about joining us for the pre-season. But he didn’t come back to the UK in time and when he did I’d already organised my squad. He went to play for Ilkeston Town but wasn’t playing many games and with the travelling to Derbyshire to play getting to him he secured his release.
“He’s a very good footballer. He can pass short balls well but can also pick out long passes too. I see Michael Tait and Steve Turnbull winning the ball in midfield with Neal spraying the ball about and finding our forwards.”