Whitehouse threatens to ring the changes (From Dudley News)

Whitehouse threatens to ring the changes

3:00pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in Sport

DEAN Whitehouse says he is not afraid to ring the changes for Tividale’s FA Cup clash this Saturday, writes Emily Liles .

The Midland Football Alliance outfit were soundly beaten at home by Stourport Swifts last weekend and have so far struggled to string a run of results together since their opening 3-0 league victory at Kirby Muxloe.

Tivi earned a fourth-place finish last season but Whitehouse believes his side have “failed to click” in a number of their seven league games.

He said: “We played well in the first half but didn’t take our chances and ultimately paid the price. For some reason we’re not playing as well as we should be.

“Going forward we look as good as anyone. Kyle Brady and Brett Clark are firing but we need to tighten up and improve defensively as a team. Although it’s still early, I’m not afraid to freshen things up and bring in new blood if needed.

“The table has a different look about it this season and there are other teams struggling. If we can start to gel we’ll pick up points.”

This weekend, the Dale travel to Wolverhampton Casuals in the FA Cup. Despite taking on a side in the division below, Whitehouse dismissed his side’s favourites tag and says they cannot take their opponents lightly.

He said: “The cup game gives us a much needed break from the league but at the same time we know we must be at our best.

“They will want to cause an upset and as we saw at the Grove in Dudley Town ’s victory over Halesowen, anything can happen in FA Cup football.”