By Tommy Nethery

DERGVIEW'S new caretaker boss David McAskie is confident that the current crop of players at the Darragh Park have the ability to turnaround the fortunes of the IFA Championship side over the coming months.

McAskie has temporarily agreed to take over the reigns at the Castlederg club following the sacking of previous manager Colin Colhoun almost a fortnight ago, who managed just one competitive victory in nine outings in charge.

Last season McAskie, along with assistant Gary Mortland, led Dergview to the Carnegie Second Division title, but it was the double act's decision to stand down following that success that led to the appointment of Derryman Colhoun, the former first team coach at Institute.

Colhoun's cause certainly wasn't helped by the departure of a number of key players to bigger clubs and an injury-ravaged squad in a hectic opening month at the start of the Championship season.

One victory away to Limavady and three points awarded to Dergview following a registration oversight by Donegal Celtic wasn't considered sufficient progress by a largely youthful and inexperienced squad and the Derryman's services were dispensed off following a board meeting at the club 12 days ago.

McAskie has now been tasked with stopping the rot and although he admitted he wouldn't be performing any miracles he was confident that Dergview could again become a force to be reckoned with.

"Absolutely, there's no reason why not," insisted the former defender.

"With a few additions I believe we still have a necleus of players to compete in this league. If we can get the motivation, organisation and discipline sorted out there is no reason why they can't compete and compete well.

"We're not expecting miracles over the first few games but I do expect improved performances and first and foremost they will be asked to enjoy the games. I am confident the team can turn the corner. They were good players last year and they don't become bad players overnight.

"The priority will to get the morale back up; to get the team spirit back and get the boys to start enjoying their football again. From what I have seen the players haven't been enjoying their football in the last few months.

"I will be asking them to get back to playing with a smile on their faces. The confidence is rock bottom at the minute; the passion level has dropped. We need to get these things sorted out and instil a bit of self-belief, playing with the heart on their sleeve so to speak."

Within days of agreeing to take control, McAskie has moved quickly to strength the squad. He has coaxed Andy McFarland back to bolster attacking options and it is believed Aaron Arkinson, who has been attracting interest from Derry City, is another that may commit to the cause for the foreseeable future.

And the new man also revealed that he has made approaches to Omagh United with regard to bringing Ryan Pritchard back to Darragh Park.

"It's good to have Andy McFarland back. We need him to bolster the attack. Gareth Sproule has been asked to play as a lone striker at times and that has been doing the player or the team no favours. Andy is the target man we have been lacking.Hopefully Aaron Arkinson is back on board for foreseeable future, who will give us the width we have been lacking. I am currently exploring the possibility of resigning Ryan Pritchard, another wide player.

"Securing the services of those players would be a good start and there are a few players that joined the club recently, who also possess the necessary quality to play at this level.

"We certainly need more attacking options but more importantly we need to stop leaking goals. Once we stop doing that then we have a basis from which to move forward.

"There's going to be no instant solution but I can't see, given a little time, why Dergview can't hold their own in the Championship."