FRANK: FIRST TEAMERS TOMORROW

UPDATE FROM FRANK GRAY

I spoke to Frank Gray this (Tuesday) evening to get an update before Wednesday evening?s Surrey Senior Cup tie away at Croydon. Frank was on his way to Rushden to watch their game against our opponents on Saturday, Histon.

On the injury front, Frank says that Paul Lorraine will definitely miss the game. Jerome Maledon is very doubtful too. Tom Hutchinson missed last Thursday?s match as a result of a family funeral, not injury, so will be available for selection. Marvin Morgan?s red card at Torquay means that he won?t be eligible, although the game doesn?t count towards the three games he has to miss.

Frank says that he isn?t planning to play any Academy players on Wednesday. He feels that he has got enough players in his first team squad who either haven?t played at all recently, such as Matt Gray and Izedin Harusha, or who haven?t played many full games, such as Matt Ruby, Liam Marum and Adam Green. He envisages that other players such as Kevin James will be on the bench. He hasn?t decided yet whether to play Nick Gindre or Ross Worner in goal.

Another reason behind Frank?s decision is that he is keen to build on the win against Ebbsfleet and the confidence it engendered: he commented that winning is a good habit.

Reverting to the Ebbsfleet game, Frank said that he was pleased with the performance and result. He agreed that refereeing decisions had gone in our favour for a change but felt that we deserved the three points overall. He pointed out that, even though the Fleet had had a lot of possession in the second half, they had created very few chances and that, indeed, we?d had the two best chances through Matt Pattison and Liam Marum.

Frank confirmed, finally, that Joe Gatting's loan runs out after the FA Trophy game against Hemel Hempstead.

Brian Caffarey
4 December 2007