Wright eager to spice up Chester City FC’s attacking options

Dec 8 2008 Chester Chronicle

MARK Wright bemoaned Chester City’s lack of firepower after watching his side fall to a narrow defeat at Bournemouth.

The Blues boss is likely to have a new striker at the top of his wish for the January sales as he is unhappy with the balance of the squad he has inherited from Simon Davies.

The only out-and-out striker on Chester’s books is Eddie Johnson, who missed Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Dean Court through injury, leaving Wright to partner Ryan Lowe with teenager Paul McManus in attack.

The City manager said: “Ryan Lowe is a winger and Macca is a young boy. I think Ryan Lowe is suited out wide and he does a lot of good work in a 4-3-3, but I don’t believe he is a centre forward for this club.

“If people are asking if we can create, where are we going to create from? We have got to be realistic and ask where are our strikers?”

City’s lack of recognised front-men has caused Wright to press wingers Kevin Ellison, who served the final match of a three-game ban on Saturday, and Richie Partridge into more advanced roles.

Wright, who can also be expected to sign a couple of centre-backs when the January transfer window opens, said: “We have got to address the situation, but I have come in and I’ve made it perfectly clear to the board where the failings are and that we haven’t got anyone in front of goal.

“I think we need to do something in January about the situation because we can’t keep relying on kids or wingers playing as centre-forwards. It doesn’t work in any way, shape or form in football.”

Wright had few complaints with the 82nd-minute sending off of City midfielder Tony Dinning, who saw red for elbowing Danny Hollands as the pair tussled for the ball.

“I’m disappointed about Tony Dinning’s sending off because he’s been talking about wanting to play and helping the team, but he went on and got sent off,” said Wright.

“From where I was sat it looked like Tony’s arm came across their player and it popped him, and if the referee saw that it was an automatic red card.

“It was unfortunate for us because I thought we more than deserved a draw.”

The Blues are next in action on Saturday when fellow strugglers Notts County come to the Deva Stadium (3pm).