Tardif may drive a hard bargain
MURATTI manager Chris Tardif says he will be ‘sensible’ as to which players he chooses for the semi-final in Alderney, but warns he may drive a hard bargain on a day when the Green Lions also play.
‘I’m sure there will be a bit of bartering with Tony [Vance],’ he said yesterday, while recognising the serious threat of Alderney and, having lost back-to-back finals, he does not want to be associated with Guernsey’s first loss to the Ridunians in exactly 100 years.
On 29 April 1920, Alderney beat Guernsey 1-0 at the Track and Tardif is well aware of the danger the improving blues carry to his managerial reputation.
‘I will select a squad with a sensible head, not one that leaves GFC with no players.
‘I want the strongest side I can though. It won’t be my first team but it will be the strongest possible. We can’t take Alderney lightly.
‘I will be sensible, but I am not going to do anything that is detrimental to winning us a semi-final.’
Tardif says there is frustration that he cannot slot in proper friendlies due to the backlog of domestic games in this foul winter, as well as GFC’s own league commitments which may be reaching a critical point come 21 March.
The Guernsey boss says he is ‘finalising a squad in his head’ for the Alderney game which falls on the day GFC entertain Ramsgate, possibly a game the Green Lions will need to win to maintain a play-offs push.
Tardif says he is sad he will not be able to call upon Alex Scott, but is proud that another Island youngster has got himself a professional contract.
He is also mightily impressed by the way GFC have played this campaign.
‘I am liking what I see. They are moving the ball quicker. They are playing with confidence and through the midfield which I enjoy seeing.’
As for the future, Tardif said his idea is to identify soon a group of players that will not only form the 2020 Muratti squads but also one that is the ‘backbone’ of the Guernsey 2021 NatWest Island Games squad.
