PLAYERS are queuing up to sign for Tadcaster Albion, revealed boss Paul Marshall.

As the Northern Counties East League premier division table-toppers prepare to go into derby day battle tomorrow, when Pickering Town visit Ings Lane, the Brewers boss said he has been inundated with requests from people trying to join his squad.

"It's frightening the number of players wanting to come," he said. "We have a very, very strong squad of players - a strong group - and every home game you have to expect to go in and win."

The club held the national spotlight when they sensationally added former Manchester United, Middlesbrough and West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening to the fold and, after their first defeat following nine straight wins last week to Staveley Miners Welfare, Marshall is keen his men immediately reassert their promotion credentials against Pickering.

The Ryedale side, managed by Mitch Cook, have conceded four or more goals in sixth matches already this season and the former Bridlington chief has described the task facing his side this weekend as "lambs to the slaughter".

Marshall, whose men destroyed the Pikes in a 5-0 win last season, isn't expecting more of the same. But he is expecting three points.

"They have had two outstanding away results at Handsworth and Cleethorpes," he added. "They will be looking for the hat-trick. We are desperate to get a win. The sign of a good team is how you bounce back (from defeat).

"You have got to beat teams at home. It is the key to winning this league - not drawing like we did last year. We are very determined to win the league. Brighouse were second to Scarborough Athletic and they went on and won it and we finished third to Brighouse last season."

Cook, meanwhile, believes his team keep “putting ourselves up against a brick wall” with their continued defensive frailties. The Recreation Ground outfit scored three at Alnwick Town in the FA Vase last weekend but conceded five and the Mill Lane boss admitted he was getting to end of his tether.

"That aspect is utterly disappointing," he said. “It’s not one person, or the goalkeeper, who is at fault. It is the fault of the whole team. At the end of last season we tightened it up and I still think we have strengthened the squad.

“It is down to the whole unit and I include myself in that. I am there to sort it out and we haven’t found the right formula.”

On the prospect of Tadcaster, Cook added: "If you look at the game it is lambs to the slaughter. A foregone conclusion. But football is never like that. We are likely to score. They look certain to score but, if we can sort the defence out, we can give ourselves an opportunity.

“Football is never how it should be. These things can sometimes jump up and kick you in the face. We are going to the top of the league and we can go there and relax.

“First and foremost you have got to make sure you don’t let yourselves down.”

Marshall is hoping striker Josh Greening will have recovered from the tight hamstring that saw him miss the Staveley defeat, while Carl Stewart will finally serve the last game of a multi-match ban picked up in Sunday league football.

Andy Milne is still struggling, while, for Pickering, Tom Woodhead remains on the long-term injury list. Cook is hoping one of David Bramley or Callum Myers will be fit to pull on the goalkeeper jersey.

The game has been dubbed as Grassroots Football Day with the Brewers saying any grassroots players who wear their local club's shirt, T-Shirt, sweatshirt or tracksuit will get one adult into the game free of charge.

There is free entry for all under-16s. The club is trying to break the 500 mark in attendance for the derby.