Darlington manager Gary Bennett has pledged an adventurous approach to his first home game in charge against Exeter City this afternoon.

Bennett started managerial life cautiously with a 1-1 draw at Rochdale last week, but he will change his approach this afternoon as Quakers try to dispel apprehension amongst the fans with three points.

Summer signings Mark Angel and Richard Hodgson have both been added to the squad after impressing for the reserves in midweek, which suggests that both widemen might play a part at some point.

And with 22 players in the squad at his disposal, Bennett feels he has the scope to choose horses for courses.

"I will choose players who I think will do a particular job for us," said Bennett. "For last week's game at Rochdale, I chose players who I thought would do the job, and they didn't let me down.

"We got a lot of pluses out of last week's game, and that's something to build on. We can play better than that, but we must remember that there will be more games similar to the Rochdale game in the way the other team approach it.

"We rolled up our sleeves and worked as a unit, and that's what I want every game. However, in games when we're setting our stall out to attack, then players like Mark Angel will come into contention.

"I'm not scared to change systems, names don't mean anything. The players know what I want, and if I think somebody's not working hard enough or I want to change formations, then I'll change it."

Bennett played a five-man midfield at Spotlands last week, and he hinted: "There will be tactical changes for Saturday's game. I don't think I'll be playing a 3-5-2 formation.

"David Hodgson had his way of playing, and I've got my own ideas and feelings about the way I want to."

Bennett has worked hard with the players on both fitness and tactics this week, but just like the Rochdale game, won't be naming his side until this morning.

Meanwhile, Bennett could be adding to his squad next week. He has opened negotiations with Christophe Raymond, Lenit Zezu and Frank Van der Geest, but he points out: "I don't expect anything to happen until early next week at the earliest."

Exeter started with a defeat against Cardiff last week, and will include former Darlington striker Darren Roberts, who moved to St James Park from Scarborough during the summer.

Quakers will be using their newly laid pitch for the first time, after working flat out during the summer.

The club's public relations director Luke Raine said: "Hopefully, we've overcome the problems we've had over the last few seasons. The surface looks well, but we'll be even happier if we get three points.

"I hope that the fans turn out in force, and give us plenty of positive noise. They were great last week at Rochdale."

"But the fans must remember to stay off the pitch - we can't afford to have points deducted."

Raine revealed that Quakers have sold 1,600 season tickets, 500 fewer than last season, but still higher than the level of two seasons ago. "We knew that the increase in prices would have some effect, but we're quite happy at the sales."