Phil: "We feel as if we can win every game"

By Ray Simpson

Phil: "We feel as if we can win every game"

Darlington midfielder Phil Turnbull says that Quakers feel as if they can win every game in which th...

Phil Turnbull at Brackley 1

Darlington midfielder Phil Turnbull says that Quakers feel as if they can win every game in which they play.

Quakers go to Harrogate in second place in the table, protecting an unbeaten run in the league stretching back seven matches.

“When you go into a new league, you need to make sure that you can handle the new standard, and we’ve proved that by being where we are in the table. We’ve kicked on from that point, and now we feel that we’re going to win every game, just like last season.

“The Harrogate game will be a big challenge, as they are a decent side who have been doing well this season, but we’re going there with a lot of confidence with a seven game unbeaten run under our belts.

“The manager told us a few games ago that we have to be better in both boxes, and I think we’ve managed that. We’re taking more chances than we were two months ago, and we’ve got a pretty solid back five – there aren’t many better than ours.

“We’ve dealt with our injuries well this season. We had a spell in which four players were out injured at the same time, but that didn’t disrupt us. I think that showed the strength in depth that we have in the squad these days.”

Phil believes that Quakers are now in a group of six that is vying for the single promotion place and the four play off places.

“I think now that the promotion race is between the top six, there are signs of a pack getting away from the others.

“When we’re all fully fit, I feel as if we haven’t got any weaknesses in the team. When I was at Gateshead, I felt as if there were one or two weaknesses there, but not at Darlington.

“I think that with our current team, we would more than match clubs in the division above. I would like to think that at the age of 29, I’ve still got at least four years left in me with Darlington, and by then I hope that we’re in League Two.”

Phil hasn’t scored yet this season, although he hit the post last week in the build up to the fourth goal

“I thought I hit the ball really well from outside the box, but it was cleared off the line. Thommo came across to console me after Becky scored. I suppose it isn’t meant to be, but I don’t mind not scoring as long as the team is doing well and winning every week.”

Phil also pays tribute to the supporters, who will be at Harrogate in force on Saturday.

“The support that follows us around the country is unbelievable. They give us a massive lift home and away, and by their very numbers, they make opponents nervous.”

Saturday’s game is not all ticket, and Darlington fans are being urged to give themselves plenty of time to arrive early at the ground, as there is limited parking, and also to reduce queues at the turnstiles.