Monday 8th July 2019
JIM DUFFY may have inherited a dressing room littered with strangers on Saturday – but it worked out.
The Dumbarton boss was pleased with his team’s 3-2 win against Dundee United – a match where 10 trialists got on the field at some point.
He said: “It is always nice to win, but especially considering the work the team put in and that they were almost completely new to each other.
“There were three players who only turned up today, never having been seen before, and another only started training with us on Thursday.
“Half the team never knew each other.
“As I said to the players, we’re looking at it individually at the moment. We can’t work on shape, organisation or anything like that just now. It’s about fitness and sharpness and by and large that was pretty decent.
“I took a step back from the touchline to look at what the players were doing, and Craig MacPherson and Jamie Ewings did likewise.”
Some players may have played their way into the manager’s thoughts as the squad building process continues ahead of the new season.
With the Betfred Cup opener away to Annan Athletic only five days away, the manager is mindful of the progress that needs to be made.
Sons have one friendly match left before then, against Hamilton Accies at home tomorrow evening.
The boss added: “I am going to have to chat to Craig over the next day or so.
“It may be different trialists on Tuesday, maybe some of the same. We get inundated with requests from agents and also some clubs.
“But by the time Annan comes around, we will need to have another four or five players on board. That is another week away, though.”
Andy Galloway