ALUN Armstrong is hoping Darlington's recent dip in form doesn't force manager Dave Penney into wholesale changes for Saturday's visit of Notts County.

The striker has started Quakers' last four league games but, after the new manager's impressive start, the last two League Two matches have ended in defeat.

Armstrong knows all about Penney from a loan spell at Doncaster last term, and is aware he has a tendancy to tinker with his starting XI only when things are going wrong.

"I was with him at Doncaster but I didn't get much of a chance because he tends to stick with the same team if you're winning," said the former Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Ipswich striker.

"When he first came I was straight out of the team because he wanted to play big Baz (Barry Conlon) instead of me.

"I thought okay, fair enough, I'll dig in. I've done that and now I'm back in the team and something worked because we were on a winning run."

Despite the setback of Quakers losing their last three games in league and cup, Armstrong has seen enough of Penney to know he has added an extra dimension to Quakers' play, with simplicity the key to his six-game winning start.

Armstrong is aware that players in all positions have to perform to stay in the side, and he needs to add goals to his all-round game, having scored just twice this term.

"The gaffer has showed what he wants and I think we've shown what we're capable of," said Armstrong, who has yet to register a goal since Penney took charge.

"Lincoln was probably the best performance so far. Everyone can see what he's done. It's a basic 4-4-2 and everyone knows their job.

"I know my job and need a goal desperately but I don't mind not scoring if the team's winning. I'd prefer that every time."

l Bradford striker Dean Windass has revealed how hate mail from his own club's fans has made a difficult period almost unbearable.

He said: ''I got three letters and in one they threatened to stab me if I went into Bradford city centre."