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Dryden wants players to tighten up at back
MANAGER Richard Dryden has challenged his Worcester City team to become more miserly towards their opponents.
City have only kept two clean sheets since the turn of the year and make the long haul to Workington tomorrow having conceded 10 goals in their last five games.
Although they have demonstrated an ability to fight back on several occasions, Dryden is keen for his side to plug the gaps at the back as they prepare for the final games of this season and the 2008/09 campaign.
Three goals in the last 13 minutes got them an unlikely 3-3 draw against Tamworth at St George's Lane two weeks ago, while David Burtoft and Matt Dinsmore earned a point from 2-0 down against Blyth last month.
It was a similar story at the Lane when City met Workington for the first time this season in January.
Trailing 2-0, Emeka Nwadike pounced with a late double to once again claw his side back from the jaws of defeat.
Those sort of comebacks may be exciting for the fans but Dryden wants his side to make it tougher for the opposition to breach their defences.
He said: "It was a good performance against Workington but it was disappointing to be 2-0 down. That is something we have got to look at next year, the amount of goals we are conceding.
"When we are a bit open it means we are going forward more and scoring goals but we need to be a bit tighter defensively. The first thing is to keep more clean sheets next season."
City's injury problems are showing little signs of easing with captain Chris Smith, George Clegg, Troy Wood and Graham Ward all ruled out of the Cumbria clash.
However, Jamie Price is expected to have shaken off his thigh problem to feature, while Rapinder Gill, who played in the Central Conference Cup victory on Wednesday, could start.
New recruits Rory May and Chris Sanna should also be in the 16 along with academy defender Craig Brown.
Dryden said: "Hopefully Jamie will be fit and we will assess Rapinder for Saturday.
"It will probably be Rapinder at right-back and Ryan Clarke will go into the middle.
"If something goes wrong and someone has to come off Craig Brown will go and have a go."
Nwadike and Jon Munday were limping towards the end of Monday's 1-1 draw against Alfreton but should be fit for tomorrow.
"I have asked Jon to take it easy in training at Kidder-minster this week," Dryden added.
Workington captain Kyle May will miss the match with an Achilles injury, but striker Matthew Berkeley should have returned from international duty with St Kitts.
7:48am Friday 28th March 2008
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