Ruiz: Can he kick it? No, not effectively, according to Dillon.
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Football: Henderson in, Masters out
By Charlie OliverFebruary 04, 2010
AMID the confusion over Scott Donnelly's future, Aldershot were involved in a couple of completed deals on deadline day.
Reserve goalkeeper Clark Masters has, as expected, left, to join Hayes & Yeading. He has been replaced in the squad by Stephen Henderson, on loan from Bristol City for a month.
The 21-year-old will, said manager Kevin Dillon, go straight into the team at Barnet on Saturday. “I wouldn’t bring in a player from a Championship side to sit on the bench,” the manager said.
“Stephen comes highly recommended, especially by Don Givens, the Ireland U21 coach, and is keen to make his mark. He is big and kicks the ball a long way. That launches attacks. Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz’s kicking was poor on Saturday, everyone saw it. Mikhael's standard of kicking needs to be higher.
"I am looking for a dominant goalkeeper. Stephen is up for the challenge."
Dillon has also taken Omer Riza, the former Shrewsbury striker, on trial, on the recommendation of Ben Herd, who played with Riza at Shrewsbury. "I haven't seen Omer play yet, so we'll have to see how he does when we can get a game arranged," said Dillon.
Dillon said that he was happy with his squad but he would be 'reactive' in the loan window, if necessary. "Injuries at right back or centre half, for instance, could be critical," he said. Donnelly may yet leave, too, on loan to Wycombe, according to some reports, but Dillon does have a number of other midfield players in his squad.
The manager added that new contracts have been offered to Kirk Hudson, Louie Soares, Donnelly and Andy Sandell. Discussions have been started with Danny Hylton’s agent and the club will be talking to more players, including Anthony Charles and Chris Blackburn, later in the season.
Dillon does not expect many deals to be signed or rejected soon; he suspects players will wait to see how far they can take Aldershot this season.
“It’s all in the players’ hands,” warned Dillon. “A number of other players, who will be out of contract at their clubs come the summer, have contacted me to say they would like to play under me at Aldershot. So, it’s down to the current players to do well.”
Dillon will insist from next season that players live in a radius from Aldershot that means training is never missed. “A professional football game is a major event,” said Dillon. “Players have got to understand that.
"They must be fully prepared, work hard every day and never miss training. I could have taken any of them, apart from the back four, off at half-time against Grimsby, they had been that poor. I will not allow players to rest on their laurels.”
While Marlon Jackson’s knee injury is not as bad as first feared — Dillon expects him to be out for a month — the manager is frustrated by John Halls’ slow return to fitness. “I’ve no clue when he’ll be fit,” he said. “He had a simple operation on his groin but his rehab has not been good enough. He’s our most experienced player and a high earner but we’ve scarcely seen him. It’s a false economy — he should not have been passed fit to play at Burton, it's set him back."
Dillon was also critical of the club’s medical staff over John Grant being passed fit last weekend, against Grimsby. “But it’s not a case of getting new staff in,” Dillon said. “Far, far from it. It’s just a case of things being done properly. Improvements are needed and it’s being addressed. Everyone can improve, whatever job you are doing.”
One thing the team must improve is their away form. Barnet is the first of three matches away from the Rec, with trips to Northampton and Hereford following. Dillon's men have lost their last two away matches, at Burton and Acrrington.
“These games can make or break our season,” said Dillon. “We must improve away. We have only lost twice in the league since I took over but the standard demanded by the supporters has been raised — and I like that. The players must maintain those standards consistently.
"But we are still well-placed in the league. We are up there, in the top ten, which I've always said means a successful season, if we finish there.
"Barnet know we can beat them [the Shots won 4-0 at the Rec on Boxing Day], which could help us, but I'm sure their manager is reminding them that they have an opportunity to put that result right."
Dillon strongly suggested last weekend that he would start with a 4-4-2 formation at Barnet but he has now backtracked slightly.
"I haven't made up my mind," Dillon said, on Wednesday. "We have played well with 4-4-2, when we've moved to it, and it has brought us success. Having said that, you always have to take into account the opposition you are facing, too, and how they line up."
It would be harsh on Danny Hylton if he did not, however, start up front with Marvin Morgan, after coming off the bench to grab a point against Grimsby.
"Yes, Danny caused them problems," said Dillon. "But it was only for 45 minutes. Suddenly some people are saying he's the best player we've got. Players need to perform like that all the time."
Hylton has earned the chance to start but Dillon will always toy with playing 4-5-1. Instinctively, Dillon prefers a cautious start, before assessing his options as a game develops.
But perhaps the evidence of last weekend's woeful first half against Grimsby will be enough to persuade him to attack Barnet from the start. The Bees are in a torrid run of form, without a win in 13 league games. At least they were boosted this week by leading-scorer John O'Flynn turning down a move to Shrewsbury Town.
Lewis Chalmers may be restored to add some bite to the Shots' midfield, while Dave Winfield is on standby, as both Anthony Charles and Chris Blackburn are minor doubts.
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