on the net By Stuart Amos Sutton United boss Paul Doswell reckons the capture of defender David Obaze will signal a change in defensive strategy for his men.

The former Grays Athletic centre-back is expected to put pen to paper on a deal this week as cover for injured skipper Jason Goodliffe after Doswell’s interest in former Chelsea jail bird Joel Kitamirike cooled.

United have been consistently let down by sloppy defending at set-pieces this season - particularly against Ashford Town last week - with the absence of Goodliffe making life even more difficult at the back.

Experienced centre-back John Cartledge, plagued by injury in recent years, impressed on his debut in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over old rivals Tonbridge Angels, which came with the help of a first half brace from Charlie Taylor.

And the Gander Green Lane chief, who is planning on utilising last year’s player of the year Karim El-Salahi as a full-back, believes it is time for a change.

“John has impressed in the reserves since signing in the summer. Providing he can stay fit I will be looking to use him more, “ he said.

“You need height all across the back in this league which is why I’ll probably shift Kes out wide. That gives us four six footers in there then.

“David has been messed around at Grays - like a lot of players - and he gave us a call asking to come and play for us for next to nothing.

“With Jason out for a month we need cover and he will more than provide it.”

Should Obaze feature against Aveley this weekend he will become the 44th player to have appeared in the United matchday squad this season, but the manager believes stats can be misleading.

“I think about eight of the first team - like Alan Bray, Kevin Scriven and Steve McKimm - have been largely ever present, so I don’t think you can read too much into it,” he added.

“What I will say is that with all the cup games on top of our league interests it seems like we have already played a whole season.

“To ask players to play around 60 games in a season, on top of a full time job, is ridiculous and gives you an idea of what resources you need to compete at this level.”

Sutton, who face Guildford City in the Surrey Senior Cup tonight, host Aveley at the weekend and Doswell says it is a game they must win to keep their play-off drive on track.

“You have to win your games against the likes of Aveley if you are serious about the play-offs. We’ve got a tough run of matches in February so we need to get points in the back,” he added.

“I don’t think things will be decided before April, but we need a run of five or six games on the bounce at some stage to keep us in the mix.”

Sutton’s next three games: Jan 30 Aveley (h), Feb 6 Dartford (a), 13 Hastings United (h).