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Latest news article from Danny Hall at the Standard
MARTIN 'Mad Dog' Allen has come to the aid of Charlie Griffin as he tries to turn Cirencester Town's season around.
The Centurions have taken just one point out of a possible 18 since their 4-1 win over Dorchester in November and lost 3-2 at Frome on Wednesday night. However, Ciren put in a spirited second half display that Griffin felt deserved a point and he was delighted with the contribution of two-goal Tony Lee who had joined that day from the Martin Allen-managed Eastleigh of the Vanarama National League.
"I've have known Martin for a number of years and when I was playing I've always been a pain in the arse to his sides. Not only was he happy to help by loaning us Tony but he gave me plenty of advice about management in general. He's got a lot of experience in both league and non-league and he told me to stick with my beliefs.
"Putting the team together that I want is taking longer than I expected but Martin advised me to stay patient and that building a team is not an overnight thing. He said stay true to what I believe in and it will eventually come good. I first remember Martin when he was assistant at Reading and I went there with Swindon Town.
"He walked down the line of our players in the tunnel and stared every one of us in the face. It's fair to say a few of them were intimidated and we lost that game. Maybe I will try that tactic before the local derby with Chippenham on Monday (1pm kick-off)."
Although Ciren lost again on Wednesday, new boy Lee certainly made a deep impression on Griffin.
"Tony's first goal was one of the best I've seen this season," he said. He picked the ball up in the centre circle in our own half, saw the keeper off his line and hit a great lob into the back of the net. His second goal was a good finish, a poacher's goal, and he was close to a hat-trick because their keeper made a great save from him.
"I had spoken to Chris Todd about him earlier in the season. Tony has won this league with Poole so he knows what is expected. He wants to play regularly and score goals and I'm hoping we can keep him for two to three months.
"Tony's link-up play with my brother Alan was also excellent. With Dan Demkiv up there too I think we are looking as dangerous going forward as we have done all season.
"The lads worked their socks off and for the first time this season I thought they all put their bodies on the line. But I am still working on bringing in a permanent experienced centre half which I hope will be the final piece in the jigsaw. We've had him watched, put in seven days with his club and made him an offer. If he comes it will be a great signing for the club.
"Chippenham are flying high but if we can play like we did in the second half at Frome for the full 90 minutes I think we can get something out of the game. We have got to keep their front two quiet but now we look as if we can put their defence under real pressure."
This entry was posted on 23 December 2016 at 10:48 and is filed under Miscellaneous | First Team. You can leave a response here.
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