Reds fail in striker bids (From Redditch Advertiser)

Reds fail in striker bids

6:25pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Evo-Stick Southern Premier Table & Results

REDDITCH United boss Simon Redhead expressed his frustration this week after failing to sign a new striker.

Redhead is desperate to improve Reds’ firepower especially after last Saturday’s 1-0 beating by Barwell.

The departure of Mark Danks, coupled with an injury to recent Stourbridge signing Lindon Dovey, has left Reds alarmingly light up front.

Consequently Redhead has been forced to operate with Connor Deards and Joel Grandison as makeshift strikers.

Redhead said: “I need a plan B — but I haven’t got one at the moment.”

His annoyance was only underlined by the Barwell result.

The Reds boss added: “I was really disappointed with Barwell, who were just a back-to-front side considering their buget, which must be twice the size of mine.”

Redhead revealed the extensive efforts he’d taken to obtain a proven striker, only to have the plug pulled at the last minute.

He said: “I’ve spent the past two or three weeks agreeing deals with clubs only to see someone else come in with a better offer. “It seems everyone is looking for the same type of player.”

Redhead first tried to capture Nuneaton Town’s Kyle Perry, but the striker opted to join Hereford United instead.

Then Redhead turned his attentions to Tamworth’s Luke Bottomer, but lost out to Hednesford Town.

A third option for Redhead was former Wolves and AFC Telford player Adam Proudlock, who started the season at Chester City, but the pair couldn’t agree terms.

Busy Redhead has also shelved plans to sign Tividale’s former Tamworth and Coventry City targetman Avun Jephcott, but the Reds boss hasn’t ruled out trying again at a later date.

He added: “I’m still talking to a couple of higher level clubs about trying to bring a striker in on loan.

“But I’m struggling to attract players to Redditch because we haven’t got a big playing budget.”

Reds are without a fixture this Saturday as scheduled opponents Arlesey Town are involved in a mouth watering FA Cup clash with Coventry City.

However, Reds are back at the Valley Stadium on Tuesday night when they take on one of the promotion favourites St Albans.

The gap in fixtures could prove a blessing in disguise for Reds as Jack Cresswell fractured his ribs in the Worcestershire Senior Cup success over Worcester City and could be out for an entire month.

At the same time, Liam MacDonald has aggrevated an ankle injury and faces a race against time to be fit.

Redhead amitted: “The injuries leave us pretty thin on the ground at the moment — but then again we always seem to be thin on ground!”