Tel Closes In On Striker Target

Last updated : 03 November 2005 By Stray Shots Team
Terry Brown is on the verge of landing two major signings, which he believes could turn around Aldershot Town's season reports the Aldershot News.

The boss has been locked in talks with a League striker and attacking midfielder in the build-up to Saturday's huge FA Cup clash at Burnham on Saturday – and now after four-and-a-half months, claims to have finally got his man.

Brown was hoping to put fans out of their misery and reveal the mystery man as the News went to press, before unleashing him on cup minnows Burnham on Saturday.

And to complete the plan, the boss hopes to pair him up alongside a fit-again Tim Sills in an explosive new-look forward line — one fit for the November 5 occasion.

Brown said: “I'm definitely going to get the front runner in. I've been working since May on this one and after four-and-a-half months I think I've finally got him.

“I would assume we would make the signing tomorrow (Wednesday as the News went to press), and it will be a decent signing from a decent club.

The boss also revealed that he has been eyeing an “Adam Miller-type” midfielder to slot into the middle to relieve the scoring pressures from his two front men.

That deal could also be tied up in time for the trip to the Southern League western division side — a game that Brown is far from taking lightly.

Although the Buckinghamshire outfit lie 66 places below the Shots in the non-League pyramid, they did dispose of Conference National side Canvey Island in the last round, claiming a 2-1 victory over Jeff King's men despite playing over an hour with ten men.

One thing's for sure, Brown has taken heed and is preparing his troops for a battle royale.
He added: “The fans can expect nothing less than 100% from each of our players because they know they've got to give that.

“Unfortunately from my point of view, they can also expect to see an exciting close encounter.

"I would love to think we could go there and enjoy a comfortable win but that's not going to be the case. It's going to be a hard-fought battle and I don't see a lot of goals in it.

“We're not going to go in complacent because we haven't been playing well enough to do that, we're struggling from game to game and digging out results.

“I do, however, have to make sure the confidence is high, that we go out there and take the game to them.

“The two front runners will make a difference to us, without a doubt, and if I can go back to putting square pegs back in their square holes and strike a finer balance, then that will settle us a bit.”

The return of Sills represents a massive boost for Brown, who is hoping he can strike up an immediate understanding with his mystery new partner and lead the Shots into round two.

Sills, of course, was the hero of the last round with his goal after 26 seconds disposed of a rugged Bromley outfit which won't be too dissimilar to the task facing the Shots this Saturday.

The bad news for Brown is that he must do it without Lewis Hamilton, who has picked up a knock, and Ahmed Deen, who has an eye infection and hasn't trained all week.

The boss' plans also received a blow on Tuesday night when striker Matt Gearing returned from his club Northampton Town where he had been recovering from an ankle injury, only to limp off again just before half time of the Hampshire Cup tie with Brockenhurst.

Brown does, however, have a nice dilemma at the back with Tobi Jinadu and on-loan James Rose vying for a place in the starting line-up along with fit-again John Brough, who impressed on Tuesday night.

But with Burnham providing the Shots with a trip into the unknown this Saturday, Brown may opt for Brough's experience at the back.

The hosts go into the game on a high after their 3-1 away win at Taunton on Saturday, and despite lying a lowly 16th in the table, are capable of springing a surprise and certainly up for the challenge.

Speaking this week, their boss Dave Mudge said: “This is the biggest day of our history. It's a massive boost for Burnham and it will be a special day.

“It's beyond our wildest dreams to have got so far and we will give it absolutely everything on the day because I can smell an upset.

“It's a big step up and challenge for us getting past Conference opponents, remarkable in fact. But why can't it continue? We're on the crest of a wave.”

In the match-winner from the last round, Adam Logie, and defender Jon Horsted, Burnham have two ex-Aldershot Town youngsters desperate to put one over their former employers – a fact that Brown knows all too well.

“Burnham had some real strengths, it's going to be a battle,” he continued.

“They have two quality forwards who will hurt us if we're not about our business, a strong, physical presence at the back and a midfield that will run all day.

“They will also be a major, major threat on set-pieces so we have to be aware we need the height and presence in the team, while also being dangerous from long throws and balls in behind to the two quick front runners.

“We are aware of their strengths and provided we do a job on that then it's a case of looking at our own game which has to be better going forward than it has been.

“The reward for Saturday is massive for us. Winning would enables me to re-build in the New Year and get some new faces in.”

With thanks to the Aldershot News.