Let’s get the basics right, urges Dryden

8:00am Friday 22nd August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

WORCESTER City manager Richard Dryden is calling for his players to get back to basics when they face Weston-super-Mare at Woodspring Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

Having slumped to a 3-0 home loss against Hayes and Yeading United last weekend in Blue Square South, the St George’s Lane outfit must haul themselves back on track following their flying start.

But the trip to Weston is not going to be easy. The Seagulls possess Football League quality throughout their ranks and they too will be keen to bounce back after a disappointing defeat last weekend.

“Sides in both the North and South divisions have raised the bar with the quality of players they are signing and Weston are no exception,” Dryden said.

Tony Ricketts’ men slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Hampton and Richmond last Saturday to end their 100 per cent start so, come tomorrow, two teams with wounded pride go head-to-head.

“After the response we had in training on Monday night we have to take that to Weston tomorrow,” the City boss said.

“We need to get back to where we were when the season started.

“People who saw us play over pre-season and the first two games know that we are a better side than the one that turned out last weekend.

“We need to get back to basics, get the ball on the ground and pass it about like we were before.”

Dryden’s team will face one of the City boss’ summer targets in former Bristol City striker Marvin Brown.

Brown and Dryden were together for a short spell in 2004 at Tamworth so he knows the threat that the 25-year-old will pose.

“I went after Marvin in the summer because he is a goal-scorer,” Dryden said.

“But Weston pushed the boat out to take him back after a year at Salisbury. He is someone that can make a big difference.”

City are hoping to welcome back midfielder Dave Bampton from a foot injury, while winger Matt Dodd is set to return from a groin strain.

“It will be good to have a full squad to pick from,” Dryden added. “If you said at the start of the season we’d be picking up six points every three games, we would have been delighted.

“It’s just disappointing that we let ourselves down in the third — if it had been the other way round, people would have been saying that we’re flying.”