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Shoot or bust
LOOKING FOR GOALS: Weymouth boss John Hollins
LOOKING FOR GOALS: Weymouth boss John Hollins

WEYMOUTH boss John Hollins will not be tempted to "weaken one area in-order to strengthen another" despite his side's alarming lack of firepower up front.

The Terras were the better team against both Oxford United on Saturday and at Farsley Celtic the previous week but their failure to finish gilt-edge chances saw them lose both games which have contributed to a return to the Blue Square Premier's bottom four.

Hollins' men now have just six games to save themselves starting with tonight's clash against Grays Athletic at the Wessex Stadium (7.45pm) where Stuart Beavon and Michael Malcolm are expected to continue up front.

One option that is available to the Terras is to move loanee Matt Bailey into their attack. The 22-year-old started his career as a striker before his parent club Crewe Alexandra turned him into a commanding centre back at that beginning of this season.

But Hollins is happy to keep Bailey where he is.

He said: "I have thought about every permutation but what we cannot do is weaken one area in-order to strengthen another.

"We are looking pretty solid at the back now with Matt and Chris Blackburn there and we do not want to disrupt that but we do need to start taking our opportunities.

"Michael has great pace which can cause a lot of problems and other people are getting chances off of him but like Stuart he needs to start being a bit more ruthless and clinical when opportunities come along.

"There was an opening on Saturday where Stuart was on the run and should have shot with his left foot but didn't.

"Wayne Rooney had a similar chance on Sunday for Manchester United but he did strike it and it took a ricochet and went in. That is what can happen if you have a go, it can deflect off defenders and it gives the keeper a decision to make. It's about being positive about yourself and taking on responsibility."

Hollins is not just looking for his strikers to find the net either. He added: "We need our midfielders to chip in as well. Anton Robinson had a good one on Saturday where all he needed to do was lift it over the keeper.

"He is getting in good positions all the time but like Stuart and Michael has got to be more confident when those chances come along."

Grays will be tough opponents this evening. They are undefeated in their last seven games in which they have won five and scored 16 goals.

Hollins said: "Grays are playing very well at the moment. They are a strong team and they possess one of the best defensive records in the league.

"It cannot get any harder than that but we have also been playing well lately even though we have lost our last two. All we are missing is that finishing touch and hopefully we will find it again tonight."

Trevor Challis, Paolo Vernazza, Marcus Browning and Jake Hyde all missed the loss against Oxford with injuries. When asked whether any of them will be in contention for this evening's clash, Hollins added: "Probably not at the moment. Trevor Challis is the closest to returning and we will be having a look at him today. We will then just see where we go from there."

Altrincham, who sit one point above the Terras but have played two games more, travel to Burton Albion tonight, while fellow strugglers Farsley Celtic, Halifax Town and Northwich Victoria all face home games against Droylsden, Kiddermin-ster Harriers and Forest Green Rovers respectively.

8:32am Tuesday 8th April 2008

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Posted by: Local, the Asylum on 12:13pm Tue 8 Apr 08
Bust is my bet.
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