Interview With A Darlington Fan

We interview Lucy from the Vital Darlington website ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup tie.

Who have you released, sold and brought in?

Ok, this could be a long one so hopefully you have a lot of time on your hands. We made a few good signings in the summer and some not so good. The biggest capture is that of former Aston Villa man Julian Joachim from Boston United. We also signed Martin Smith from Northampton along with David Rowson who has since been moved out on loan to Boston. Patrick Collins (Sheff Wed), Craig James & Micky Cummins (Port Vale), Barry Conlon (Barnsley), Gaetano Giallanza, Alun Armstrong and Darren Holloway (Bradford) make up the rest of the arrivals, though I am sure I have forgotten some others.

As for the departures, we lost Ryan Valentine (Wrexham). Matt Clarke also left the club to join Bradford but he returned last month on loan. Akpo Sodje went to Port Vale and Adrian Webster, Joe Kendrick, Guy Bates, Matty Appleby, Nathan Jameson and Jonjo Dickman were released. Recently we got Mark Albrighton and Anthony Griffiths in on loan to cover for injuries.

You currently stand in 8th place, how does this compare with your original expectations in the summer?

To be in 8th place is not what I expected at the beginning of the season, with the arrival of some very good players most of the fans expected the team to be in the top 3 from the off but it became apparent this wasn't going to happen with the way the manager was deciding team/tactics etc.

What are your views on your new manager, Dave Penney? Is he capable of getting you into the play-offs and beyond this season?

The arrival of Dave Penney has brought optimism back to the club again and with the run that we are on at the moment I see no reason why we can't make the playoffs this season if not better and nick automatic promotion. Penney has a track record of performing well in this division by getting promotion with Doncaster Rovers so I see no reason why he can't emulate that with Darlington FC

Are you optimistic about tomorrow's game, what's your prediction?

Yeah, I'm confident that we will provide a big test for you, even thought there is a division between us. We are in good form at the moment and the new manager also has a history of doing well in the cups with Doncaster so we'll see what happens but I'm quietly confident of a draw at least.

Who will be your dangerman and player to watch out for tomorrow?

I'm finding it hard to choose between two players so I'm afraid I'm going to have to say both of them. Martin Smith seems to be on fire at the moment and scored a fantastic goal in midweek against Mansfield to add to his equally spectacular strike against Lewes in the 1st round. The other player who should be watched for is right winger Neil Wainwright who has a new lease of life since Dave Penney arrived. He has enough pace to beat anyone in our league so could prove to be a handful for your left back.

What are your views on the Swans this season, are we capable of promotion this season do you think?

At the beginning of the season I would have said yes having seen you in the playoffs last year but with the loss of Knight on loan, and my opinion of him, I feel you might struggle however I wish you the best of luck, after tomorrow of course!

Thanks to Lucy for her answers.

You can view my answers to her questions at this link here

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.