TULIPS: Pat targets four new faces
Spalding targets: Shane Clancy (above, left) and Spencer Tinkler (below, left).
PAT Rayment has wasted little time in stamping his authority on the Spalding United squad.
The new Tulips boss, who was appointed on Friday, has made moves to sign four transfer targets ahead of his first game in charge at King’s Lynn Town on Saturday (3pm).
Seven day notices of approach have gone in for Deeping Rangers defender Spencer Tinkler, Boston Town winger Shane Clancy and Sleaford Town hitman Liam Tunstall, while a high-profile striker is also being chased by Rayment.
Having met his new players at a weather-hit training session on Tuesday, the ex-Deeping boss is enjoying being back in the managerial game.
Rayment said: “The weather meant training wasn’t the greatest, but I met all the lads – which was the main thing.
“It’s a young group and, if I’m honest, we lack a bit of creativity. I like the ball to be played out from the back and that’s something I’ll be encouraging them to do.
“Approaches have gone in for a few players and I’m hopeful we’ll have a few announcements to make before the Lynn game. It’s a tough time to recruit and I’m having to cut my cloth accordingly.
“But the club as a whole needs a confidence boost and hopefully we can give everybody a lift.”
Regardless of what business Rayment can get done, his reign couldn’t really start at a tougher place.
UCL Premier Division leaders King’s Lynn have lost just three times in 34 competitive games this season – and one of those was against Blue Square Premier side Tamworth.
They have also notched 71 goals in 23 league games, losing just once.
But Rayment is unfazed by the trip to The Walks, with his Tulips facing a very tough finish to the season.
“It couldn’t have been much harder really,” admitted the former Peterborough United player. “But we’ve got 11 games left to play, including the current top eight teams.
“It’s my job to instil a bit of confidence in the squad and we’ll certainly go there without fear.
“The lads have a good opportunity to show me what they’re made of. It’s a unique atmosphere for the UCL and a good pitch to play on.”
At the start of the season the Tulips were being tipped to push Lynn all the way in the title race.
But Spalding’s challenge never materialised – and Lynn’s 4-0 success at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field highlighted the enormous gulf between the two.
Tom James (suspended) and Ryan O’Loughlin (unavailable) miss the trip, while the Linnets hope to welcome back Jack Defty and Ross Watson.
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
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