Dogfight begins (12.08.05)

THE first two matches of the new campaign could provide a telling yardstick for the Magpies this season, according to manager Dennis Greene.
The manager accepts that his side are one of the favourites to finish in the drop-zone, but is optimistic that a decent start will set up his new side for a decent season.
He said: “The opening matches are against teams who were in the dogfight last season with us. So it’ll be tough.
“Despite having a good pre-season, I won’t know if we are up to speed until after Saturday’s match at Sutton.
“It’ll be a tough opening. They have two or three new players, especially up-front, but I’ve been to watch them and am confident.”
“However, if we get beat 4-0, we’ll have serious problems as we don’t have the cash to fix the situation immediately.
“But my aim is a draw and a win (at home to Newport County on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm) which will give us a great start and provide a platform for the season ahead.”
Greene is certain his rejuvenated squad can finish mid-table.
He said: “If we can get to 10 games with a comfortable gap between ourselves and the bottom two, it’ll be difficult for us to get drawn back in.
“Well that’s the aim.
“I’m a bit nervous as whatever has happened pre-season, you never know until the competitive matches commence.”
What the supporters will be looking for is how well the new players have blended in and whether the disappointments of last season can be put behind them.
Greene said: “There will be no knock-on effect from the end of last season (when the Magpies were relegated and then later reprieved).
“Only about four players remain in the squad which was caught up in the relegation fight.
“The new players are fresh and optimistic, and expecting to be pushing for a place in and around the play-offs.”
He added: “The pre-season has gone well. I’ve made some good signings, we’ve progressed as a team and there have been some good performances.
“I trialled about 20 players and signed four, which is about the ratio I would expect.
“Stephen Hughes looks a handful up-front, and Rob Traynor has a fine pedigree.
“This week I signed Soloman Tohawo, a defensive midfielder, and right winger Michael Barima from Yeading.”
However, as with every Maidenhead United manager before him, money is a subject never far from the surface.
Greene said: “I have a squad of around 15/16 now, which is where it will stay for now.
“I would like about 20 but we haven’t got the cash for that.
“No-one else will be coming in the short term, but as ever this is an ongoing process.”
He added: “For the money I’ve got to spend, I’m pleased with the players I’ve picked up.
“I have a wage bill of £1,200 a week less than last year. Things are tight.”
But Greene is not using this as an early excuse, he believes in his own ability and that of his team.
He said: “We need to win 13 games to stay up, that means 29 matches may go against us and we’ll still be alright.
“That will be difficult to swallow if it happens, but that’s the way it is.
“As long as no-one panics, I’m confident we’ll be okay.
“I’ve always wanted to be judged once I got all my players in and had a pre-season to work with them. Now we’ll see.
“Last year we changed our tactics to suit the opposition; this year we’ll try to stick to a system which can cope with whatever the opposition throw at us.
“It’s up to the players to learn it back to front.”
One aspect of the club Greene cannot control is the support he receives from the fans.
He said: “I’m looking for the fans to get behind us in that all-important first home match.
“I know the odd fan has stayed away over the summer in protest, but the vast majority of genuine fans have been fantastic.
“It’s up to the players to go out and work their socks off.
“The fans will always react well to commitment and effort.”