Critchell: Magpies won't falter (From Dorset Echo)

Critchell: Magpies won't falter

8:50am Saturday 18th February 2012 in Club news By Ky Capel

KYLE Critchell is determined to avoid a repeat of the mid-season slump that followed last year’s extended break.

Inclement weather saw the Magpies contest just two competitive fixtures in the space of 41 days.

As soon as the conditions improved, Dorchester’s form suffered and they went nine games without a win – dragging the county town outfit into an unwanted scrap at the wrong end of the table.

Next weekend’s visit of Havant & Waterloo-ville will be the Magpies’ first outing since January 21, and with his side currently occupying seventh spot in Blue Square Bet South, Critchell hopes lessons have been learned.

The full-back told Echosport: “It’s a bit of a downer when you’re not playing but all you can do is work hard in training.

“Mark Jermyn and Phil Simkin have got a really good training regime going and it’s been really positive.

“For any club it’s difficult financially when you don’t have any games but we’re all pulling in the right direction and hopefully we won’t have any problems like last year.

“I remember it really well and I think that because the break in games happened over the Christmas period, people tend to eat and drink a bit more at that time of year.

“I’m sure the lads will have thought about that this time around. Everyone is keeping themselves fit and healthy so I don’t envisage any problems this year. As individuals you are always learning and you hope everyone has learned from what happened last year.

“We have changed personnel since then and we are more professional in what we do but the first game back is always difficult.”

The Magpies are just six points shy of the play-offs, but have played more games than anyone else in the division.

Critchell added: “I would rather look at the positive side of things and although we have played more games, the other teams have to catch up and some will be playing Saturday, Tues-day, Saturday, Tuesday, which isn’t going to be easy. I’m just looking forward to getting going again.”

Meanwhile, Critchell has praised the impact of Exeter City loanee Tom Nichols, who has bagged three goals in as many appearances for the county town side.

The former said: “Hopefully we can keep him for as long as possible because when he gets a chance he invariably scores.

“Like Danny Ings when he was here on loan, Tom isn’t shy of putting a shift in. He has been a breath of fresh air. He works hard and he listens to what you have to say.

“I love playing with people like that and I would rather have 10 of them alongside me as opposed to 10 big-time Charlies.”

In preparation for the Hawks’ visit next Saturday, the Magpies will entertain a Portsmouth XI on Tuesday night (7.30pm).

Boss Alan Knight said: “It will be a good test for us. We just want to keep the lads match-ready.”

* Admission prices are: Adults £5, concessions £3 and under-16s £1.

* The Magpies will be holding an Auction of Promises on Friday, March 16 (7.30pm).