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Search forBoss praises squad's attitude
Friday, November 21, 2008, 09:55
The new Blue Square Premier leaders have the chance to set another club record of nine straight wins if they beat Woking at Kingfield tomorrow (3pm).
And Buckle says every one of his first-team squad will have a part to play in pushing for a return to the Football League.
"The boys not playing at the moment understand that, as a group, we are getting it right," said the manager.
"I must mention Michael Brough, who wasn't involved on Tuesday night but has been fantastic and training very hard. I know he'll be ready when he does get his chance.
"The same goes for lads like Steve Adams and Matt Green, who lost his place through suspension.
"The squad know they have to play well and give their all for the team, and their team-mates.
"And that goes for the fans too. They sang just as loud on Tuesday and cheered the lads on, and didn't take any liberties just because we were playing a side at the bottom of the league."
Winger Danny Stevens is another player who has found first-team starting spots limited this season, but he took full advantage of his chance to impress on Tuesday night by scoring two goals in the 4-1 defeat of Lewes.
With Wayne Carlisle still struggling with a thigh problem, Buckle must now decide whether to keep Stevens on the right wing, or recall fit-again Mustapha Carayol.
"You saw the reception Danny got when he left the field on Tuesday night, and also the reception Mustapha got when he entered," Buckle added.
"I am looking at Woking and I will pick the team I think has the best chance of beating them.
"Mustapha looks more than ready to play from the start, or from the bench if that's what is needed.
"With Wayne, some injuries just take their time. It's nothing major, but it just isn't right yet.
"Thighs can be funny injuries, as we have seen with (on-loan goalkeeper) Michael Poke."
After setting a record of 15 league and cup games unbeaten on Tuesday night, the Gulls now turn their attention to beating the eight-game winning streak set by Kevin Hodges' side 11 years ago.
And they will be cheered on in Surrey by defender Chris Todd, who was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this week.
"The record is there to be broken," Buckle added. "But the biggest thing for us now is to stay top of the league.
"The Chris Todd situation will bring us even closer together. He will travel to the game with us, he'll be on the bench and he'll be very much a part of it.
"Now it's a matter of focusing fully on Woking and getting the result."
Cards boss Phil Gilchrist will be without suspended midfielder Bradley Quamina, while influential defender Tom Hutchinson is doubtful after missing Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Weymouth with a groin problem.
Elsewhere in the BSP, former Northwich Victoria manager Dino Maamria has rejoined former club Stevenage Borough as first-team coach.
And Burton Albion were yesterday finalising a deal to bring in Cheltenham Town's experienced utility man Craig Armstrong on loan.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed spells at a number of league clubs including Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, and once commanded a £750,000 fee when Huddersfield signed him from the City Ground.
The weekend's BSP fixture list once again includes several tasty match-ups.
Second-placed Histon take on unpredictable Oxford at the Glassworld Stadium, while Burton Albion (third) entertain a Stevenage (ninth) side hopefully smarting from their home defeat by Histon in midweek.
Kidderminster and Wrexham are bound to do one or other some damage at Aggborough, and both Cambridge and Kettering face potentially tricky trips — the U's to Altrincham and the Poppies to Ebbsfleet.
On Sunday Crawley travel to York.
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