Penney's tactical know-how key to Quakers turnaround

AFTER one of the most uninspiring first half performances of the season, Darlington manager Dave Penney proved there is far more to his managerial capabilities than merely exploiting the temporary transfer market.

When it comes to loans, Penney has demonstrated his wide knowledge of the game with some astute signings. Despite the list of players falling foul of injury and suspension growing by the week, Quakers have sustained their push for promotion to such a degree that a play-off spot is virtually guaranteed.

Penney may not have the scouting facilities of a Premier League club but he has demonstrated he knows a good player when he sees one.

Fourteen loan signings this season may verge on the ridiculous, but few can be regarded as bad acquisitions.

Most of the arrivals have proved to be much more than just a temporary fix. Whereas past Darlington managers have struggled to build a team capable of coping with the demands of the professional game, Penney makes things look so simple.

Of course, the Quakers boss' task has been made all the more easier by a chairman willing to financially back the manager's judgement.

But not even Penney could have envisaged how well most of his temporary signings would adapt.

And the versatility the Quakers squad has in abundance further highlights how thorough Penney has been in assembling a group of players prepared for the most demanding of situations.

After struggling to get anywhere near the opposition goal for 45 minutes on Saturday, the manager's decision to change formation produced a much-improved second half display.

Two of Darlington's latest temporary signings, Ben Parker and Jason Kennedy, started against Brentford and neither looked out of place.

Their debuts may have been far from spectacular in the opening 45 minutes on Saturday, but in reverting to a 4-4-2 formation in the second half, Quakers suddenly awoke from their slumber.

One of the few players to enjoy a successul loan spell under former boss David Hodgson, Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, rarely got a look in during the first half. But it took the Congolese forward less than three minutes of the second period to spark Quakers into life with his second goal in as many games.

The former Sheffield Wednesday striker still had it all to do when receiving a Ryan Valentine cross. But after taking a touch with his chest, Ndumbu-Nsungu headed over Bees keeper Ben Hamer an into the net.

It wasn't long before Quakers added a second through Julian Joachim's emphatic finish, lashing the ball past Hamer after linking up well with Kevin Gall.

Darlington could have put the game beyond doubt, with Ian Miller, Gall and Neil Wainwright all seeing shots saved.

Substitute Reuben Reid ensured the game went down to the wire when he pulled a goal back for Brentford in the 82nd minute, despite appeals for offside as the Quakers defence stood still.

However, Darlington's 19th win of the season was sealed when substitute Pawel Abbott poked home close range.

"The first half was a bit bitty and they had the wind," said Penney. "We went with the 4-3-3 and that's got us results at Notts County and Bury by passing it.

"We thought we would try and take this into the game today and it didn't work. We couldn't get any pressure at the front so we changed it around at half-time.

"We got the two early goals which really killed the game off.

"We were going to leave it a little bit longer in the second half because it was ever so windy. We didn't want the ball going through and going for goal kicks every time.

"We were going to see what it was like with the wind, but we decided to play Bryan (Hodge) out on the left because it gave us that little bit more balance.

"The two goals really changed the game and our pressing from the front with four up there was a lot better."

And following Hereford's home defeat to Stockport, Quakers moved back up to third in League Two. And they could open a four-point cushion inside the automatic places if they beat Chester City tomorrow night.

"We want a performance and we want three points," said Penney. "The performances is what's worrying us at home, we haven't been able to do what we've done away from home.

"It's going to get edgy the closer you get to the end of the season. There are going to be a few nerves twanging as the season goes on.

"It's important that we all stick together, these players have a never say die attitude and they will give everything they've got. Hopefully we can have a successful end to the season."