THIS time next week Darlington’s season will be over, and the club will be able to focus on decisions that are at the centre of speculation.
Their squad contains a handful of loan signings and several players out of contract, though Luke Trotman penned a new deal last week, so there is sure to be lots of change before 2019-20, while there is uncertainty about Tommy Wright’s status as manager.
Opinion is split among supporters over whether he should continue in the role he has held since replacing Martin Gray in October 2017.
Chief executive David Johnston does not want to go public with any decisions until the final two games are completed; Guiseley away on Easter Monday and Leamington at home on Saturday.
Currently 15th in the table on 49 points, Quakers could yet match last season’s tally of 55 when they ended in 12th position.
“I’ve been saying for a long time now, ‘let’s get to 55’. It didn’t look like we’d do it for a long time but it’s there now,” said Wright, after seeing his team win for a third game in a row against Bradford PA on Good Friday.
“Guiseley need something to stay in the league, they will really go at us and we want to finish the season well.
“Leamington at home gives u something to play for too because you do not want to lose at home in front of your own fans on the last day.
“If it was away to Leamington I would worry because we’d have that trip, but we owe the fans.”
Guiseley are four points above both FC United and Ashton, so need three points to ensure safety.
Aside from aiming to match last season’s points haul, Darlington are looking to make it four wins in a row - the last time they managed it was two years ago today at home to AFC Telford United.
“We want to see where a couple more wins take us,” added Wright.
“A win wouldn’t say sorry for what has been and gone this season, but it would go some way to restore a little bit of faith, that’s how we’ve got to see it now.
“It’s been a really frustrating, horrible and disappointing season for everybody and one we want to forget.
“But if we can finish on a high hopefully we can pick up spirits again see where it takes us.”
Stephen Thompson’s 80th minute goal against Bradford not only made it three wins in a row without conceding, it also took Darlington’s number of victories against sides in the current top ten to five, the other victims being: Brackley, Telford, Kidderminster and Blyth.
Wright added: “It’s fine margins in football – without that goal people would’ve walked away without seeing us score at home again. Opinions can change really quickly.
“We did talk about it before the game, can we get that third win and get that monkey off our back. To get a third clean sheet on the spin was a bonus.
“It was a good win. On paper it was going to be a tough game for us but we came out on top.”
Romal Palmer, one of Quakers’ loan recruits, suffered a knock on Friday and had to be substituted but should be available, but Wright says Wilson Kneeshaw will not play today or Saturday.
He sustained suspect Achilles damage after being on the end of a Gianluca Havern challenge against Bradford and Wright said: “That’s his season done, he won’t play again.
“It was a shame because he was having a really good game. He’s obviously been desperate for a goal and he did not want his season to end.”
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