Frontmen must produce spark: Ritchie

Mar 7 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANDY RITCHIE has missed out on Shefki Kuqi and Craig Beattie on loan and called on his existing strikeforce to gun down Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road tomorrow.

After previously failing to land Izale McLeod from Charlton, Ritchie was hoping Crystal Palace or West Brom might come up with the goods as he bids to rekindle fading play-off hopes during a busy month.

Chances of a signing were dashed yesterday, however, and with Danny Cadamarteri possibly facing knee surgery unless a new treatment works, Ritchie travelled south today with Andy Booth, Phil Jevons and Luke Beckett under pressure to inspire a win.

Robert Page is back in defence after a one-match ban while Alex Smithies takes over from injured Simon Eastwood as the back-up keeper, and Ritchie is confident Town can both shore up at the back and grab some goals.

“Once we declared our interest in Shefki and Craig, clubs from the Championship started stepping in,” said Ritchie. “It’s a shame, but we need proven, quality strikers of experience.

“I could probably bring in a 19-year-old striker now, but that’s not what I’m after. We need someone who can cope with our situation, cope with our division and be as good if not better than what we’ve got.

“I will keep on looking because we need someone who is going to get us 20 goals a season. I’ve said before that all our strikers should have twice as many goals this season. We need to take more of our chances – starting tomorrow.”

Cadamarteri worries – Page 55.