DORCHESTER Town manager Steve Thompson has warned the Magpies that their Evo-Stik Southern Premier South encounter at Salisbury City tomorrow (3pm) is a “different day”.
Thompson’s men were in outstanding form against Wimborne in their last outing, scoring four first-half goals in a superb 4-2 victory at Cuthbury.
Despite his delight at that result, Thompson moved to ground his players ahead of what he feels will be a “very tough” fixture against Steve Claridge’s newly-promoted side.
He told Echosport: “We have to remind them that’s it’s a different day. (Salisbury) might have been watching and they might have a plan to counter what we try to do. So it’s a different day.
“I can’t always depend on getting that quality from players with their finishing, their shooting and their crossing, but I can ask for that work-rate and that pressing system and that’s what we’ll need to do again.
“I think it will be a good test and it will obviously be a very tough game at Salisbury.
“I watched them this season against Bristol Rovers, they’re a very big, strong team, a very physical team, so it will be a very tough game in that respect.”
Thompson also revealed he had no qualms about testing his managerial mettle against Claridge.
He said: “I don’t mind pitting my wits against Steve. He’s alright, I get on well with Steve – it’s another game.”
Ollie Griggs (ankle) remains out, while Tom Blair will be assessed after sustaining a hamstring problem against Wimborne.
On Blair, Thompson said: “Whenever it’s a hamstring we do have a concern. There is a concern about Tom but we’ll have to assess him.
“A couple of others have got very tight calves so we’ll have to assess all that.”
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