CRADLEY Town boss Russell Dodd is hoping to spice things up for his team before the FA Cup extra preliminary tie at home to Malvern Town on Saturday (3pm).

Dodd and general manager Bob Green are hoping to get a 3-0 defeat at home to Bewdley on Tuesday out of their system by taking the squad for a team-bonding curry after training tomorrow night.

The boss felt his team were not direct enough against Bewdley, who played little football but played long balls up to a tall front man.

It was a contrast to the opening game at Wolverhampton Casuals where Cradley impressed in a 3-0 win with two goals from Mark Swann and one from Doug Griffiths.

Dodd said although his side is capable of playing passing football, it was not always possible in the West Midlands Premier and they would need to toughen up.

He said: “Our pitch wasn’t as good as the one we played on at Casuals but you have to learn to adapt to that and the type of sides you are coming up against.

“We have players who have obviously played at a higher level but they are going to have to learn the level they are at now and sometimes change their game accordingly.

“Against Casuals we could have won by five or six and had an early chance against Bewdley but they were very direct and won the game by being the stronger team.

“Sometimes you have to battle, and from what I have hear we will probably need to do that against Malvern so by taking the lads out I hope we can move on from the Bewdley result.

“The FA Cup game is important to us obviously so I want the players to be in the right frame of mind.”

Dodd is looking to strengthen in central defence and bring in some loan players as well after seeing four players walk out to join Bloxwich United.

He will be without Sean Westley on Saturday after the forward injured his ankle, Adam Edmunds and defender Stuart Hamilton are out suspended.