MARCH 2001

  • 30/3/01...This is one we gotta win.
  • Harriers will go into tomorrows home game with Shrewsbury knowing that it's either all three points or face a nailbiting end to the season.

    It's been well documented that we are not doing as well as we hoped in recent weeks but we know what to expect against the Shrews.

    We went to the Gay Meadow twelve days ago and should have buried them but we didn't.

    We were too cautious.

    If we can stop the threat from Luke Rodgers then we should get something out of it.

    Rodgers was very impressive with his fast, direct running and should not be at Gay Meadow for very long.

    The other player who impressed was the elderly keeper, Paul Edwards, the Ogrizovic of the 3rd.

    We should see the return of P M-O after he came through the full 90 minutes against Moor Green on Wednesday, and may also have Adie Smith back after being out for seven weeks with a groin strain.

    Doubtful will be both Stuart Brock and Tony Bird who have had flu this week.

    Harriers (from):
    Brock, Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Smith, Medou-Otye, Webb, Hinton, Bennett, Mackenzie, Ducros, Shail, Davies, Skovbjerg, Durnin, Doyle, Hadley, Broughton, Bird.

    Shrewsbury have a few out.

    Jamie Tolley, who has just returned to the side after contracting a virus may miss out after picking up a knock in the reserves in mid week.
    Ross Davidson is also out with a neck injury.

    Nigel Jemson is suspended along with Steve Jagielka so they are definitely out.

    Their new signing, Gregor Rioch, should make his second appearance for them at left back.

    Shrewsbury from;
    Edwards, Seabury, Rioch, Collins, Redmile, Peer, Murray, Brown, Lowe, Rodgers, Aiston, Dunbavin, Wilding, Tretton, Harris, Thomas, Jones, Howarth, Drysdale, Johnson, Murphy, Freestone.

    Referee; Mark Cooper (Walsall)

    For the Shrewsbury view take a look at
    S.T.F.C. Terrace Talk, a fellow Total Football site.

    Other news is of two players, one left and the other out on loan.

    Thomas Poston has joined Moor Green, the team he played against on Wednesday.
    And 3rd choice keeper Brendan Murphy has joined Solihull on loan.

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  • 29/3/01...KHISA is coming.
  • The new Kidderminster Harriers independent fans association (KHISA) has now received the official go ahead from the club and will launch this Saturday before and after the Shrewsbury game.

    Membership forms will be available from the Social Club, the Harriers Arms, the Club Shop and from beside the Ticket Office from 2.00pm until just before the start of the game, and afterwards until approx 5.00pm.

    Membership will cost £5 per annum and all memberships taken out before the end of the season will be valid until May 2002.

    There will also be the chance to sign up on line via this website in the near future.

    For more details click the link on the front page of this site.

    Lionel Newton, Chairman for Kidderminster Harriers said:
    "We had a very positive meeting with their committee last week and it struck me they genuinely want to help promote Kidderminster Harriers around the local area.
    They can play a big part in bringing more people to the club through the turnstiles which will in turn help the club in the future.

    I have given them our full support and we wish them well."


    Rob Beardsmore, Co-Ordinator for the Supporters Club said:
    "We are all behind the Harriers and this is a chance to do that little bit extra to help us develop as a Nationwide League Club.

    It has been said that no Club has a right to exist in a community without putting anything back in and hopefully this is our chance to do just that!.

    I believe that we will become a major player in the future of Kidderminster Harriers Football Club and every supporter has a part to play."

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  • 29/3/01...Macca cleared in court case.
  • Harriers midfielder, Neil Mackenzie, was today cleared of an allegation of using abusive and threatening language to an Asian taxi driver from Cambridge.

    The incident happened when Neil was at his previous club, Cambridge Utd, when he used a taxi on his way home from a nightclub in the City.

    The prosecution alleged that he had drank eight pints of lager and argued about paying the £5.50 fare with the driver, Abdul Malik.
    It was said that Neil called him racist names and that he would 'smash his head in'.

    Mackenzie denied this saying;
    "I got loud but I didn't get aggressive"

    The magistrate called it a 'disgraceful incident' but they had doubts on the racial aspect of the case and had no alternative than to acquit Mackenzie.

    Neil said after the case that;
    "It's been a difficult time for me but everyone from the chairman and manager of Kidderminster Harriers downwards have been tremendous.

    I've received every help from the football club and they fully understand the situation.

    Hopefully it's a chapter I can put behind me and now I can concentrate on my football, which is something I've thoroughly enjoyed since I've been given the opportunity to play for Kidderminster.

    I just want to get my head down and play as many games as I can between now and the end of the season.

    I've kept out of trouble ever since the incident."


    On the pitch Neil has been out with injuries and his form has suffered but Jan Molby thinks that the threat of the court case hanging over him didn't help but now all this is over he can get back to earning a new contract.

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  • 29/3/01...'What a shambles'
  • 311 sad people turned out for this turgid display of boys against men as the Harriers went out of the Worcester Senior Cup in a 1-0 defeat against hard working Moor Green.

    The six first teamers that played lacked any leadership qualities or inspiration, Medou-Otye was captain for the day but did not drive the team on.

    In the second half things improved slightly with the team pushing up more but the final ball was never a killer ball.
    The usual shortcomings of shooting on sight and trying to keep the ball below roof level were still there.

    The goal came while I was resting my eyes, deep in thought about me and Amanda Holden.
    Derek Hall had swept through the Harriers defence to slot the ball past Brockie and the Moors fans went home jubilant.

    Us, we expected it.

    As I walked out I heard one senior club official say "What a shambles"

    Harriers:
    Stuart Brock, Danny Williams, Tim Jackson, Parfait Medou-Otye, Lee Ayres, Ben Davies, Thomas Poston, Daire Doyle, Stewart Hadley, Andy Ducros, Peter Fauld.

    Subs:
    Neil Mackenzie, John Danby, Matt Reeves, Richard Hall, Lee Yates.

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  • 28/3/01...Our last chance for some silver.
  • In our last chance to gain some silverware for the trophy cupboard the Harriers entertain Moor Green of Dr Martens League Premier Division tonight in the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final.

    As usual Jan is expected to put out a mix of first team and fringe players.

    "We'll put out what I feel is the strongest team in terms of people who haven't played for a while.
    But the first team players have played a lot of football lately and let's not forget that March has been a very busy month for us.

    We'll select one or two of the fringe players."


    Moor Green are doing well in their first season in the Dr Martens League and will be a tough task for the Reds whose season has gone into freefall since the start of the year.

    But should we win we will meet Worcester City or Evesham United in the final.

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  • 24/3/01...Ian Bogie leaves Aggborough.
  • Ian Bogie has been released by the club on a free transfer.

    Ian joined the club after turning up for a pre-season friendly at Boston Utd and although he struggled to make any impression at first it wasn't until the FA Cup replay at Burton Albion that we realised what an accomplished player he was when he scored a stunning goal.

    Ian started his footballing career at Newcastle Utd then he went to Preston North End, Millwall and Leyton Orient.
    He joined Port Vale in a £50,000 deal before being released in May 2000.

    Ian was one of the seven players transfer listed by the club in January and it was widely acknowledged he didn't figure in Jan Molby's long term plans.

    Harriers Chairman Lionel Newton said:
    "Ian, by his own admission, has found it very difficult settling in Midlands whilst his young family are still living in the North East.

    It's sad it hasn't worked out as well as both parties had hoped but Ian leaves with all our best wishes for the future."

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  • 23/3/01...Team news for Exeter.
  • Harriers travel to Devon tomorrow for the midday encounter with fellow strugglers Exeter.
    The match is to kick off at 12.00 because of the England V Finland game at Anfield later that day.

    Harriers will have no new faces on show but Exeter were busy at yesterdays sales by taking Damien Spencer from Bristol City and Gary Birch (Walsall) on loan and signing Steeve Epesse-Titi on a free transfer from Wolves.
    What happened to the transfer embargo that was placed on the club by the Football League?

    Harriers should have an unchanged side again, may be Skovbjerg will start on the bench after receiving a battering on Tuesday against Shrewsbury.
    Tony Bird may start after being involved in a car crash on Tuesday morning. Luckily Birdie was not injured in the crash.

    Harriers (from):
    Brock, Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb, Hinton, Bennett, Mackenzie, Ducros, Shail, Davies, Skovbjerg, Durnin, Doyle, Hadley, Broughton, Bird, Bogie.

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  • 22/3/01...Harriers miss out on deadline day.
  • Although Jan Molby has been saying all week that he would not be doing a deadline day deal it appears that he was going to all along.

    The problem was that it all went wrong.

    His first target was fans favourite from last season, Neil Midgely, who spent the last few weeks of our Championship season here on loan from Ipswich.
    The story is that Neil phoned Jan and said 'gissa job' but we couldn't afford his wages?

    So he went to Barnet instead?? how can they afford him now that they will probably have to pay Tony Cottee for breaking his contract.

    The other target was Readings Neil Smith but their Manager, Alan Pardew, wanted to sell him and not loan him out.

    Other interesting deals that were carried out today include former Harriers favourite, the headless chicken known as Richard Burgess.
    Probably one of the worst players ever to set foot inside Aggborough.

    Burgess spent some time at Worcester City before they sent him to Bromsgrove Rovers where he has obviously blossomed into the complete footballer and has now signed for Port Vale.

    They must be desperate.

    Other deals, Carl Alford has gone back to Doncaster on loan from Kettering.

    Tony Bullock, a keeper that some Harriers fans seem obsessed with, has gone to Lincoln from Macclesfield (free transfer).

    Tony Cottee, the scorer of the best goal seen at Aggborough from an opposing team this season, has gone to Millwall after being sacked as Barnets Manager two weeks ago.

    And finally Barry Horne has signed for Walsall till the end of the season (wages not disclosed).

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  • 20/3/01...Barry Horne claim settled.
  • It appears that the Harriers have settled the dispute with Barry Horne.

    It came as a shock to everyone when Bazza had his contract terminated on the 7th of this month without a convincing explanation from the club.

    Following the seven hour Football League tribunal in Birmingham yesterday Harriers officials were still being quiet about the outcome.

    Jan Molby said:
    "The matter was resolved and that's all any of the parties are prepared to say."

    Horne joined the Harriers on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday just before the start of the season.

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  • 20/3/01...Shrewsbury preview.
  • Harriers finally make their way up river to Shrewsbury this evening after the game had been twice postponed through adverse weather conditions.

    It ought to be an unchanged side from Saturdays match against Darlington but Jan will probably revert back to his away line-up and go for the draw.

    Mark Shail and John Durnin both look set to shake off injuries received against Darlington.
    Shail bruised a toe while Durnin has been having treatment for a sore hamstring.

    Doubtful will be Neil Mackenzie with his cartilage injury but he has been responding well to treatment and may start on the bench.
    Hopefully there will be a start for Thomas Skovbjerg, although the state of Gay Meadow may prevent him from even being named as a substitute.

    Jan Molby said:
    "It would be nice to end the goal drought against Shrewsbury, but one positive aspect to come out of the goalless draws is that we have kept clean sheets and looked solid in defence after shipping a lot of goals in our previous games.

    Obviously their pitch has had a battering from the weather this year, and it's going to be a difficult pitch to play on, but that is the same for both sides and we will just have to try and adapt to that.

    They have the cleverness of Nigel Jemson and the speed of Sam Aiston along with talented youngsters in Jamie Tolley and Karl Murray so there are plenty to keep an eye on, but we are looking to get the three points."


    Harriers (from):
    Brock, Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb, Hinton, Bennett, Mackenzie, Ducros, Shail, Davies, Skovbjerg, Durnin, Doyle, Hadley, Broughton, Bird, Bogie.

    Shrewsbury have been having an up and down spell recently.

    After amazingly winning 7-1 at Rochdale they followed this feat with two more wins, both at home to Halifax and Mansfield.
    Then lost their next two games against Exeter and Cardiff before last Saturdays drab draw against the Orient.

    As for who's in and who's out then Jamie Tolley should have recovered from his dizzy spells? but Nigel Jemson may be out after injuring his ribs against Cardiff City.

    The only other doubt is defender, Simon Collins, who was taken off injured last Saturday.

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  • 19/3/01...Jan linked to another vacant job.
  • Yet again Jan Molby's name has been linked to another management vacancy, this time at First Division Tranmere.

    Jan is a very good friend of the outgoing incumbent, John Aldridge, and also lives near to Birkenhead, which is the posh name for Tranmere!

    This is not the first time that Jan has been linked with other jobs and although it looks tempting I don't think he will go for it.

    Kevin Ratcliffe, manager of tomorrows opponents, Shrewsbury, has also been linked with the job.

    Shrewsbury fans don't seem to mind if he is.

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  • 16/3/01...Macca may be out for the rest of the season.
  • Neil Mackenzie may now be out for the rest of the season after Jan Molby revealed that the damage to his cartilage is much worse than was originally thought.

    "He's got an appointment next week with the specialist.
    There's a little bit of damage inside his knee and we have got to have a look to make a decision whether he might need a minor operation.

    If there's just a little bit of cartilage damage he could be back within two or three weeks, but you could be looking more realistically at four to six weeks."


    This is not the kind of news we need after having drawn our last two games 0-0 and not looking like scoring.
    The team have obviously been missing Macca's creativity.

    Also missing for tomorrows visit of Darlington will be Adie Smith, yet to recover from his groin strain, Parfait Medou-Otye, who damaged ankle ligaments in training during the week and Ian Foster who still shows no sign of returning.

    After the improvement defensively Harriers now need to go for a win tomorrow before the crowds start to thin out even further.
    Darlington should give us a good chance of achieving a win and also our first double after winning 2-1 up there last October with both goals coming from John Durnin.

    Since that match Darlington have slumped alarmingly, then they were near the top and now they stand only four places off the bottom.

    They too have injury worries.
    After the midweek defeat at York City they will be missing Martin Gray, Brian Atkinson, Paul Heckinbottom and Gary Himsworth as well as both their regular goalkeepers Andy Collett and Frank van der Geest so Carlisle's Peter Keen has been drafted in on loan.

    But they have been busy in the transfer market though after signing David Brightwell, Steve Harper and Clint Marcelle from cash strapped Hull City.
    Also finding a new home at Feethams are Mark Ford from Torquay, Kirk Jackson from Worksop and Mark Convery from Sunderland.

    Harriers (from):
    Brock, Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb, Hinton, Bennett, Ducros, Shail, Davies, Skovbjerg, Durnin, Doyle, Hadley, Broughton, Bird, Bogie.

    Darlington (from):
    Keen, Brumwell, Liddle, Brightwell, Bernard, Naylor, Ford, Kilty, Harper, Jackson, Marcelle, Campbell, Finch, Hodgson, Convery, Williams, Marsh, Reed.

    Referee: P Alcock (Essex).

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  • 15/3/01...Villa triallist looks promising.
  • Jan Molby says that he is very interested in Steve Evans, a 19yr old winger who is on Aston Villas books.

    Evans played in the Harriers reserve game at Nuneaton Borough last night along with another triallist, left back Nathan Meade.

    Molby said;
    "He's been told by Villa he can look for a new club, so we are having a look at him.
    He can play two reserve games for us, and on last night's evidence he's well worth looking at again.

    The worry you always have is the physical aspect of the Third Division, but what we saw last night was encouraging."


    Harriers won the game 3-0 with goals from Thomas Skovbjerg, Gary Barnett and John Durnin.

    And Jan has been charged by the FA for the incident against Cardiff when he was banished to the seats for arguing with the officials.

    It isn't the first time that Jan has been in trouble with officials, a memorable occasion was at Stevenage last season when he threw a chair at the wall.

    But it will be the first time it has been taken further than a finger wagging.

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  • 13/3/01...Mackenzie out again.
  • Harriers will be without Neil Mackenzie again tonight for the visit of Scunthorpe Utd.
    Neil is suffering with a knee injury that he received against Lincoln last Tuesday, he had a scan yesterday and may be available for the Harriers next game at Aggborough on Saturday against Darlington.

    Also still missing is Adie Smith who has been having treatment for a groin strain. He is also expected to be fit for next Saturday.

    After successfully playing 5-4-1 against Rochdale last Saturday Jan will revert back to 4-4-2 for tonights game.
    This may mean a place for John Durnin, that should then squash the 'walk out' rumours.

    Harriers (from):
    Brock, Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb, Medou-Otye, Hinton, Bennett, Ducros, Shail, Davies, Skovbjerg, Durnin, Doyle, Hadley, Broughton, Bird, Bogie.

    Scunthorpe have reported no major injury worries.
    The only doubt being Matthew Sparrow, the youngster who has come up through the ranks at Scunthorpe and is now being watched by scouts from major clubs.

    Scunthorpe arrive at Aggborough on the back of a good run with wins against Brighton, Torquay and last week Halifax under their belt.

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  • 12/3/01...Has Durnin gone too?
  • Rumours are circulating that John Durnin has walked out on the club after finding himself not even included in the team at Rochdale on Saturday.

    Some fans have said that he was seen leaving Spotland, Rochdales ground, ten minutes before the end of Saturdays 0-0 draw.

    One wonders what a true fan was doing leaving the ground before the end anyway, and if it was a part time fan would they have recognised John Durnin in the first place?

    The rumour took some credence when it was highlighted on another independent Harriers fans site, HarriersNet.com on Sunday evening.

    If this rumour is true then it makes Durnin the second player to walk out on the club in the past week after Barry Horne took the same route on Thursday.

    As was the case with Horne very little is forthcoming officially from the club.

    The only thing mentioned so far is that he will be in the squad for Tuesdays game against Scunthorpe.

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  • 12/3/01...Harriers hit by Foot and Mouth.
  • The MAFF have stopped Kidderminster Harriers from training at their Wolverley training ground as from last Friday.

    Because of the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth at Chaddesley Corbett and another four yet to be confirmed outbreaks in the Wyre Forest area they have been stopped from using the training ground at Brown Westhead Park for at least the next 28 days.

    In the meantime they are having to make use of the limited facilities at Abberley playing fields.

    This ban will also affect any local pub and boys team matches that are played at rural locations.

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  • 9/3/01...'We are playing for pride'
  • Jan Molby says that in tomorrows game at Rochdale we shall be playing with a more defence minded team, and the aim is to keep a clean sheet.

    "We're playing for pride, we need the sort of performance like we had at Orient when we drew 0-0.
    We have to defend, there's no fantasy way out of the situation we're in.

    We have to try and keep a clean sheet first and foremost.

    We can't keep leaking goals the way we have been doing because it's costing us dear."


    And he will have to because 'Dale have just signed striker Paul Connor from Stoke City for £150,000 in an effort to increase their firepower.

    Molby has been forced to improve the defensive side of the team after ordering the players to sit through the video nasty of Tuesday's defeat against Lincoln.

    "There might be one or two changes but if there are it's because we want to play slightly differently."

    Rochdale will also be looking to improve their flagging play off hopes.
    They have only won 6 games and scored 19 goals at Spotland all season.

    But they ended their mini slump of four successive defeats on Tuesday when they scored two minutes from time at Hartlepool.

    On the Harriers injury front Ian Foster (hamstring) and Adie Smith (groin strain) are still out but Scott Stamps, Neil Mackenzie and Dean Bennett are all expected to be available after picking up minor complaints and knocks.

    Harriers (from):
    Brock, Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb, Medou-Otye, Hinton, Bennett, Ducros, Shail, Davies, Skovbjerg, Durnin, Mackenzie, Doyle, Hadley, Broughton, Bird, Bogie.

    Rochdale have a few doubtful's.
    Mark Monington is struggling with a hamstring strain, Sean McAuley, knee ligament damage and Tony Ford and Clive Platt have yet to recover from their calf strains.

    And striker Tony Ellis missed Tuesday night's draw at Hartlepool with flu and is rated as doubtful.

    Rochdale (from):
    Edwards, Evans, Bayliss, Hill, Todd, Flitcroft, Oliver, Jones, Howell, Lancashire, Townson, Gilks, Coleman, Ford, Ware, Hadland.

    Referee is Mr. Steve Lodge (Barnsley)

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  • 7/3/01...Big shock as Barry Horne walks out.
  • A bombshell was dropped by Barry Horne today when he was released from his contract and left the club immediately.

    Barry has been out of favour recently and has also been the subject of much criticism from some fans who felt that he was only there for the money.

    Horne joined the club in the summer on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday after much 'will he wont he'.

    In his very first game for us, and also our first in the Football League, he scored a memorable long range goal against Torquay.
    It's a pity that he will not be remembered so much for that as the disappointing performances he gave around the late Autumn.

    I for one feel disappointed to see a very good footballer, who couldn't seem to adjust to playing football at a lower level than he was used to, being forced to leave for whatever reason.
    Be it a disagreement with management or by fan power it is something that is not expected at a 'family club' like the Harriers.

    Whatever reasons there were I wish Bazza all the best for the future.

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  • 6/3/01...No changes for Lincoln game.
  • Although Jan said that there would be changes after Saturdays ignominious 5-1 defeat against Blackpool he is not making any for tonights game against lowly Lincoln City.

    Molby was incensed by his sides poor performance against Blackpool and said:
    "People are making a lot about there being wholesale changes and that there will be 11 new players out there after Saturday.

    That's not going to be the case."


    The obvious reason being that there are a number of players on the casualty list, including Daire Doyle, Stewart Hadley, Adie Smith and Scott Stamps.

    Daire Doyle picked up a thigh strain in training before the Blackpool game and although he has resumed training it is unlikely that he will figure tonight.

    Stewart Hadley has also returned to training after his achilles injury but it seems unlikely that he will return in time.

    Adie Smith is likely to be out for at least another week with a groin injury.

    And at last, with the crisis at left back, Scott Stamps may get a place on the bench, or hopefully, to play from the start.

    Lincoln will be looking to continue their mini winning streak under new manager Alan Buckley.
    They chalked up a good away win at their local rivals, Mansfield, last Saturday.
    At one stage they were 3-0 up but almost gave it away when they allowed Mansfield to grab back two goals late in the game.

    Tonight they will be without Steve Holmes who starts a three match suspension and Martin Garratt has left City after his temporary contract came to an end.

    Also missing will be flu victims Richard Peacock and Jason Barnett, which could mean a recall for Steve Welsh or Anthony Henry.

    Alan Buckley is expecting the Harriers to be fired up after their defeat;
    "They will be smarting a bit and pleased they have another game so soon to put things right.
    But if we show the same attitude we did at Mansfield we will be all right.

    We have to repeat that performance 15 times before the end of the season because we must ensure Lincoln City's Football League status."


    Harriers (from):
    Clarke, Brock, Clarkson, Medou-Otye, Stamps, Hinton, Shail, Bennett, Mackenzie, Ducros, Durnin, Broughton, Hadley, Webb, Horne, Bogie.

    Lincoln (from):
    Day, Perkins, Dudgeon, Welsh, Bimson, Smith, Finnigan, Walker, Gain, Battersby, Thorpe, Sedgemore, Cameron, Camm, Henry, Schofield, Marriott.

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  • 5/3/01...Here we go again.
  • After Saturdays debacle comes the expected tongue lashing from Jan.
    He has criticised their lack of desire and said that some of them were "beyond improvement".

    But the one person, Craig Hinton, who would have been expected to carry the can for the 5-1 thrashing appears to have been excused.
    Jan says that although he was at fault for three of the goals will play against Lincoln City at Aggborough tomorrow night.

    "It's horrible when you have to start looking at desire, the last thing you expect to do when you're dealing with professional footballers.

    None of them emerged with any credit.

    There's been a few times this season when I've had to question it, but the players usually bounce back in the right way after it.
    It's the simple things like chasing back and trying to make a tackle that we didn't do and that was do disappointing.

    We learned a few lessons on Saturday but I didn't learn anything about the players I didn't know.
    As the season wore on I would have expected us to become better.
    You can improve players when there's improvement to be made but some people have none in them."


    Jan, it's one thing to tell players to improve or else after a match, but you had the chance to improve things during the game by using your substitutes and you didn't.

    Why not?

    OK it may not have worked if you had replaced either Webby or Ducros with Ian Bogie but at least you would have tried to improve things.

    Look to yourself Jan, show the passion that you demand!...Phil

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  • 2/3/01...Will the Reds tango the Seasiders?
  • The Harriers travel to Blackpool tomorrow hoping for revenge for the 4-1 drubbing in front of the SkyTV cameras earlier on in the season.
    But they shall have to do it without Adie Smith and Scott Stamps.

    Adie picked up a groin injury last Sunday against Cardiff and was taken off at halftime to be replaced by Andy Ducros, who should make a start tomorrow.
    Stamps is still suffering from hamstring problems but, knowing Jan, he will probably play tomorrow after Sunday's nightmare for Parfait who struggled to cope on the left side of the pitch.

    Doubtful is Stewart Hadley who has only recently returned from a two month absence with a hamstring injury and is now laid low with an achilles problem.

    Jan has his memories of the 4-1 defeat and hopes that we can do better;

    "Before Blackpool came here in September I was building them up to be a side who would figure in the promotion shake up and I've been proved right.
    They impressed me hugely when they won 4-1 here and I still maintain that was the best performance against us this season.
    That game was the turning point for them and they have stormed up the league since.

    Their home record is exceptional, they have won their last five at Bloomfield Road without conceding a goal so we know it's going to be very tough.
    They will be full of confidence even though they've lost their last two away games at Brighton and Chesterfield.

    Hardly anyone wins at those places anyway and they will relish being back at home.

    Blackpool were in the Second Division last season and they have kept some quality players and added to that this season with some younger players from Liverpool.
    They are obviously entering a very important period of the season.

    They need to keep winning to stay in the play-off places, but we want to keep winning as well just in case anything should happen in the league.
    It would be nice to just get a little bit of revenge, but we are under no illusions.

    A couple of weeks ago they played at home to Cardiff and beat them, that's how good they are.
    But we also want to make sure to everybody that we are still improving and whatever happens this season we'll be ready for next season."


    For Blackpool there should be no problems team wise.
    The blonde haired striker, Ormerod, who so impressed at Aggborough will return after recovering from food poisoning.
    Also back in their line up will be Brian Reid and Tommy Jaszczun.

    Another thing in Blackpools favour is that they are currently playing on a bomb site.
    The ground is undergoing re-development and is very exposed so expect that famous gale force wind to come a bit further inland and freeze you the the bone.

    Harriers (from):
    Clarke, Brock, Clarkson, Medou-Otye, Stamps, Hinton, Shail, Bennett, Mackenzie, Doyle, Ducros, Durnin, Broughton, Hadley, Webb, Horne, Bogie.

    Blackpool (from);
    Barnes, Coid, Jaszczun, Milligan, Shittu, Bushell, Wellens, Simpson, Walker, Murphy, Collins, Kennedy, Newell, Jones, Hughes, Reid, Ormerod, Clarkson, Rachel.

    Referee. A Bates (Stoke-on-Trent)

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  • 1/3/01...Will we see Foster again this season?
  • It looks increasingly likely that we shall not witness the return of Ian Foster this season.
    24yr old Fozzie has been plagued with hamstring problems this season and has been restricted to just 16 first team appearances so far this season.

    Jan Molby said:
    "We are probably still looking at four to five or six weeks before he can start training and then, of course, you are into April.
    If he does come back at that time he'll obviously need games, but I would suggest that would be in the reserves.

    It's not a million miles away from writing his season off.

    He had a scan a couple of weeks ago and it showed two small tears in his hamstring. It's been a disappointing season for him after what he achieved for us last year.
    But if we can get him right just before the end of the season and play a few reserve games, then next season we can see what we can get out of him.

    He'll obviously have to continue to work throughout the summer."


    Other news from Aggborough concerns Andy Corbett's one month loan to Redditch Utd in the Dr Martens Western Divison.

    19 yr old Corbett has only played three games for the Harriers this season and Jan thinks that he is in need of competetive match practice.

    Harriers assistant manager, Gary Barnett said;
    "Andrew hasn't played much football this season and he desperately needs to get some games under his belt.
    He is still training with us but the competitive games he will get will benefit him enormously.
    He is really looking forward to playing again."


    Andy will make his debut against league leaders Bilston Town on Saturday.

    Meanwhile, Harriers have taken 19yr old Derby County left back Karl Brown on trial.
    Jan Molby who has been tracking the Liverpool born player for some time now said;
    "Carl can play left-back or left wing-back, has good ability on the ball, is a tackler and will improve."

    Brown will be available for free when his contract expires at the end of the season and Molby wants to stake an early claim.

    I don't think that the report in the Express and Star on Wednesday that he was being bought in to replace Scott Stamps holds any water.

    Why should Jan want to sell Stamper when we are already short of left sided players in the team.
    As shown in recent games we are already having a problem
    covering him with PM-O.

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