Jardim explains Kamwa's Grimsby absence
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Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Press and Journal
Elgin City boss Allan Hale on why he's not writing off Edinburgh City - despite their 15-point deduction
Elgin City boss Allan Hale says writing off clubs after 15-point deductions so early in the season makes no sense. His views come ahead of hosting Edinburgh City, who were docked that amount by the SPFL after suffering an insolvency event last month. Inverness were hit by the same margin in League One and escaped the drop due to their strong form last year and Edinburgh's third-placed finish in League Two suggests they'll have a fighting chance. They already have beaten Stranraer 2-1 and fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Annan Athletic to move to -11 points in the fourth tier. Edinburgh took 10 points from Elgin last term as their promotion hopes were dashed in the play-off semis by Dick Campbell's East Fife, who went up after beating Annan in the final. Annan squeezed past Elgin in the other semi-final to end the Black and Whites' bid for a first-ever promotion to League One. Hale is sure their weekend opponents will believe they have a fighting chance to stay up, while his side seek to add to their sole point after narrow losses to Annan and East Kilbride and a draw at in-form Dumbarton. He said: 'It's so early. When things like this happen, people jump to conclusions and say they'll finish bottom, which is not sensible when you consider what Edinburgh achieved last season, and the squad that they have. 'We drew once and lost three times against them last season, so we know we're going up against a good side. They play good football and they have a clear identity. 'Despite our results, we feel like we're in a good place. We're getting some players fitter and our confidence is starting to show within our performances. 'We will focus on the things we do well. We feel we have a chance against anyone.' Josh Walker scored a swerving opener in last week's 1-1 league draw at Dumbarton, with Scott Honeyman levelling for the Sons in the second half. It was a result which put City's first point on the board. The 24-year-old ex-Annan and Queen of the South attacker was snapped up earlier this month after playing just once for League One side Stenhousemuir after leaving Queens. Hale was delighted for Walker to open his account, but he revealed the words of advice which have been given to all City's front-line. He said: 'Josh is a really good technical player. He can go outside and inside. 'We just want him to do things a little bit quicker, just speed the game up a little bit. He took that message on board against Dumbarton and he took his goal really well. It was an excellent strike – the goalkeeper was never saving it. 'When he is in those forward areas, he has to get shots away early, which we're asking all our forward players to do more of, rather than score the perfect goal and walk it in. 'Josh has settled in really well within the group and his fitness and sharpness will improve. 'The way we play is slightly different to what he's been used to, but he's a really good addition for us.' Last week, Elgin brought in Arbroath midfielder Ali Spalding, 19, on loan for the season, with a January recall option, and he came off the bench in the second half at Dumbarton. Hale explained why he made the move and what he feels the title-winning player will add to the Moray side. He added: 'Against Inverness, we saw we were having to reply on Miko Virtanen and Mark Gallagher, who have had niggles. 'With Russell Dingwall and Lewis Hyde out injured, it was important to give ourselves another option in that area and not have to rely on the same players with the busy schedule we've got between now and the end of September. 'We were aware of Ali being available on loan and he only played 20 minutes on Saturday but showed up well. 'He's positive, with a good engine, and looks to play forward at the earliest opportunity. 'He's 19, but he made 30 appearances for Arbroath, who won League One last season, so that can only be a good thing for us.' Ross Draper is a doubt for Saturday's game against Edinburgh, joining the casualty list of Russell Dingwall, Lewis Hyde, Kyle Girvan and Owen Cairns.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Shrewsbury boss Appleton 'very concerned' by form
Beleaguered Shrewsbury Town boss Michael Appleton says he is "very concerned" about his side's poor form and they must be "miles better" if their fortunes are to slumped to a fourth successive defeat - and third on the bounce in League Two - with Wednesday's 4-1 hammering by Notts result leaves Appleton's side with just one point from their first four league games and second bottom of the table in 23rd place."I take responsibility," Appleton, who signed a two-year contract in May, told BBC Radio Shropshire."I'm the manager and I've done this a long time. I'm not going to shy away from anything."We have to be better. We have to be miles better - but it's my job to try to make that happen." Following relegation from League One last term, Town have failed to find any momentum at the start of this term in the fourth tier, with Appleton saying he has had to deal with the "baggage" of last season's addition, director of football Micky Moore has left the club and a potential takeover of the club rumbles the field, Town have scored only one goal and conceded 10. Their solitary point has come from a goalless draw at home to Bromley on the opening latest defeat by the Magpies exposed familiar frailties despite Appleton's tactical tweak of playing four central defenders in a back four as Town fell 2-0 behind after 20 minutes at Meadow John Marquis scoring Town's first league goal of the season to give Shrewsbury hope before half-time, the home side clinically picked the visitors off in the second period to seal a comfortable win. 'A lot of voices that weren't happy with each other' "There're nowhere to hide," Appleton said. "I'm very concerned. The reality is we need to be better, keep clean sheets and try to score that first goal."Scoring the first goal gives you so much more opportunity to get something out of the game but we haven't done that in a while."Appleton has brought in eight new players this summer in a bid to reshape his squad and, with the exception of young loanees Elyh Harrison and Tommy McDermott, nearly all have experience of the English Football is that aspect that is leaving Appleton scratching his head over performances."It's not as if there's kids in there," he said."There's a lot of experienced players in there who know this level and have done well and for whatever reason are not performing to the capabilities they can do."They're going to need picking up. I didn't have to say too much [after the game] because they were saying it all, which is a positive thing."There were a lot of voices who weren't happy with each other. Hopefully that's a good sign going forward." With the next game coming on Saturday against Swindon Town, Appleton says they can do little else but try to put things right as quickly as possible."I do and certainly all the players do - I can't wait for Saturday now," he said."It's moments like this, when you're under the pump and people are coming for you, that you find out who's with you and who's not, who's capable of getting points in games, getting goals and keeping clean sheets."These are the moments when you find out what you've got in your dressing room."I'm finding out about the players early which is a good thing."
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Accrington bring in Chesterfield striker Madden
Accrington Stanley have signed striker Paddy Madden from fellow League Two side Chesterfield on a season-long 35-year-old has played extensively in the English Football League and National League, having begun his career in England in 2011 after joining Carlisle United from Irish side has since turned out for Yeovil Town, Scunthorpe United, Fleetwood, Stockport County and Chesterfield."I think I'll settle in nice and quickly - I live close by as well, which will always help - I'm delighted to be on board and I'll try to help the team as best I can," Madden told Accrington's website., external"With the amount of goals I've scored over the years, people will see me as an out-and-out striker, but I also like to link the play, move defenders about, and work hard off the ball."Madden has recorded double-figure goal tallies in 10 of his past 13 league seasons."Paddy has scored goals at every club he's been at and really is the full package - he works hard, he can run in behind, he can hold the ball up, and he's a good target man - he's just everything," added Accrington boss John Doolan.
