Gloucester in a relegation battle, admits Cook

GLOUCESTER City boss Mike Cook admits the Tigers are in a relegation battle less than a quarter of the way into the National League North season.

Cook was reappointed by City last month, four years after his previous spell in charge, and following on from Tim Flowers’ disappointing time at the helm.

Gloucester have collected eight points from ten matches so far this term – one more than bottom club Darlington, who they drew with a fortnight ago in Cook’s first game back, and the same as King’s Lynn and Peterborough Sports.

They also exited the FA Cup at the first time of asking, although that has given the new boss time to assess his squad ahead of this afternoon’s home league clash with Chorley, who are ninth in the standings.

“I think first and foremost we need a reality check,” said Cook. “We’re in a relegation battle which is going to be tough to get out of, even though it is early, there’s lots of work to be done in and out of possession and transition. It’s not been great, if I’m honest, so it’s going to be tough.

“We’re screaming out for a centre forward who can score goals and create goals, which is probably what most supporters would say.

“Getting the right person in is difficult at this time of year with players on contracts, you’re probably looking at loans to come in, we’ve approached four lads in the last week, but they’ve had better deals to go somewhere else.”

Elsewhere in the National League North, Hereford make the long trip up to South Shields, while in the National League South new leaders Taunton visit Dover, second-placed Bath go to Braintree, and thirdplaced Yeovil host Aveley, while Chippenham welcome Dartford, and Weston entertain Chelmsford.