Quakers will try to make it three home wins out of three under new boss Steve Staunton when they take on Morecambe at the Northern Echo Arena. Darlington put in a spirited showing at Chesterfield at the weekend and a performance similar to their display at Saltergate could well see the Quakers take all 3 points from tonight`s encounter.
Staunton has to decide whether to persevere with the 4-5-1 formation he selected at the weekend or to go back to the more orthodox 4-4-2 system that has served Darlo well in their last 2 home games. It is likely that Quakers will revert to 4-4-2 for tonight`s clash with Morecambe. James Collins is likely to come into the side after scoring after during a second half cameo appearance at the weekend. Mor Diop could also be the in the squad after injury ruled the powerful front man out of contention for Darlington`s last game.
If Quakers do go with a 4-4-2 formation, the Darlo midfield will have to be shuffled a little. Gary Smith and Jonathan Hogg are likely to be selected in the middle of park, Wolves loanee David Davis could either be asked to play slightly out of position on the flank or drop down to the bench. Jeff Smith could well lose his first team spot after an uninspiring showing at the weekend as both Josh Gray and Nathan Mulligan are ready to come into the senior team in wide midfield.
Darlo are unlikely to make many changes in defence though the experienced former Bradford City defender Mark Bower is now match fit. Bower has played most of his career at centre half and Staunton may decide to give Bower an opportunity in the centre of defence given Ian Miller`s mediocre form.
Possible Darlo X1
Liversedge
Barnes Foster Bower Giddings
Mulligan G.Smith Hogg Gray
Collins Thomas
Subs
Jones, Miller, Davis, J.Smith, Main, Diop, Groves
Morecambe currently occupy 15th position in League 2 with 21 points from the opening 17 games of the 2009/10 campaign. The Shrimps have only won once away from Christie Park this season however they have drawn 4 away games which shows that Sammy McIlroy`s team can be a hard side to break down on their travels. The Eric`s as Morecambe are known to some fans have won their last 3 League 2 games against Lincoln City, Crewe Alexandra and Cheltenham Town which illustrates that the side from the North West are currently at the top of their game.
The Shrimps main danger man seems to be Phil Jevons, the former Everton forward has netted 9 times already for Morecambe this season during his loan spell from League 1 side Huddersfield Town. Jevons has had a rather nomadic career since leaving Goodison Park back in 2001 and has since gone onto play for Grimsby Town, Hull City, Yeovil Town and Bristol City. Jevons enjoyed his time with Yeovil where he averaged better than a goal every other game (42 goals in 80 starts) however he then moved on to 'bigger things` at Ashton Gate where he struggled to establish himself in the City first team. Jevons is a very dangerous striker at League 2 level and the Quakers defence will have to keep a very close eye on the Scouser this evening.
One player in the visitors squad who will need no introduction to the majority of Quakers fans is former Darlo hero Neil Wainwright. Wainy spent 7 years flying down the right wing for Darlington and he became a firm fan favourite during his time in the north east. Wainwright moved to Morecambe in the summer of 2008 and he enjoyed his first season with the Shrimps were he excelled in a unfamiliar wing back role. Neil has been in and out of the Morecambe side this term and even had a loan spell away from Christie Park recently so it is likely that Wainy may just named in the visitors squad for tonight`s game.
I feel Darlo can maintain their recent solid home form and take all the 3 points from this clash with Morecambe providing Quakers approach the game in a positive way and do not play 1 up front. Collins is a likely scorer for Darlington in what could be a 2-1 victory for Steve Staunton`s side.
