Simkin: We defended like clowns (From Dorset Echo)

Simkin: We defended like clowns

9:35am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

DORCHESTER Town boss Phil Simkin said his team “defended like clowns” before salvaging a 2-2 draw at home against Basingstoke last night.

The Magpies went 2-0 behind before the game was 10 minutes old but Simkin’s men demonstrated their fighting spirit to draw level in the second half.

After playing with five at the back at Welling, Simkin reverted to the usual four in defence but again the county town side conceded early on for the third match in succession.

However, while critical of the Magpies’ first half defensive display, the manager praised their powers of recovery and singled out scorer Charlie Clough for his performance on the night.

“We can’t start games like that and expect to get anything out of them,” he said. “We defended like clowns in the first half an hour and got what we deserved.

“We’re not good enough defensively but with the players we’ve got it’s inexcusable.

“But you can’t ever say there is a lack of effort. It’s certainly a lack of application and concentration defensively.

“The thing that I’ve never doubted is that they’ve got plenty of fight in them and they never give up.

“At 2-0 down I’d have given my right arm for a draw and that was probably a fair result in the end though I thought we might have nicked it.”

He added: “I thought Charlie was absolutely outstanding. He showed his quality and it will surprise me if we keep him until the end of the season.”

Ashley Nicholls is doubtful for the weekend after coming off with a foot injury but Simkin revealed he is hoping to sign a striker before the visit of Blue Square Bet South leaders Salisbury on Saturday.