THINGS could have been so different at The Northern Echo Arena this afternoon, where Brentford hope to claim the win over Darlington which could secure them the League Two title.
As a result of the ten-point deduction for going into administration in late February, however, there will be no such hopes inside the Darlington dressing room.
But manager Dave Penney, convinced his squad would have finished in top spot had they not suffered the penalty because of financial mismanagement, insists his players remain intent on spoiling the league leaders’ party.
And having defeated Rochdale, another team with an eye on League One, a week ago, Penney feels his threadbare and largely inexperienced squad has the mentality and talent to pull off a result that would ensure the title race will go on until the final weekend.
“We have two games and ten or 11 days remaining so the end is in sight, we are nearly there,” said Penney, reflecting on a turbulent season in which he knows only the club’s sixth promotion was within sight.
“We have been to Chesterfield and done well, we beat Rochdale and we should have had a draw with Wycombe, all teams up there, and it was great to upset Rochdale’s party. Let’s see if we can do the same this week. I don’t see why we can’t do the same.
“These players I have are still in the shop window and clubs are still looking with next season in mind, so these players can still go out and do it for themselves and for the club again.”
It is the “shop window”
message Penney has repeatedly outlined in recent weeks, motivating the players during such difficult circumstances.
The players are still not being paid their full wages and the Darlington manager decided to give the squad a few days off at the start of this week, based on the fact there is no longer any chance of them sneaking back into the play-offs.
“We know we have some good players here,” he said. “It knocked us sideways when we went into administration, the results show that.
“But since then we have got some great results and we hope to keep hold of a few of these players.
“Saturday is a chance to show that we can compete and we could have been up there. We can beat anyone in this division and we will not be fearing them, regardless of what has gone on.
“The last week has been great. The players were back in for the first time on Thursday.
They have not been paid so they can’t be expected to spend their money to come into work.”
Since losing at home to Rochdale on the eve of the announcement that the club had fallen into administration on February 25, the response of the Darlington players has been commendable.
Ahead of the visit of Brentford, the Quakers have lost just six of their last 14 matches, winning five.
“The players have turned it around,” said Penney, ahead of the final home match of the season.
“We did well to get to the play-offs last year, losing out on penalties to Rochdale. We had to cut the budget, add a couple of players, and I fully believe we would have gone up automatically this year.
“But with the problems we have had, fair play to the players to be still where they are.
Last week’s result against Rochdale was the best we have had since administration.
I can’t fault them.
“From day one (after administration) they have been coming in for little, if any, wages.”
■ The player of the year awards, due to take place this evening, have been cancelled.
Anyone who bought tickets for the event can receive a refund at the supporters’ club table in the Tin Shed bar today.
The supporters’ club have arranged for the awards to be presented in the Ron Greener Suite after the match and all fans are welcome to attend.
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