SWINDON Supermarine manager Lee Spalding says Mat Liddiard’s versatility will be a big asset within the squad after snapping up his services this week.

Liddiard steps down from National League South side Gloucester City to join Marine in the second half of their Southern League Premier Division South campaign.

Spalding, whose side are at home to bottom club Staines Town this weekend, says Liddiard caught the eye while at Evesham United last season – scoring against Marine when the two sides met in the Division One South play-offs.

Naturally a midfielder, Liddiard can also operate in the heart of defence, and Spalding is thrilled to have him on board.

“I have watched Mat for a long time and he has played a lot of games against us. I always thought he was a good player,” said Spalding.

“He went to Gloucester at the start of the season as he wanted to play as high as he could. To get him in now is a great addition to the squad.

“He gives us competition for places. He covers a couple of positions as well, which is a massive positive.

“He is a box-to-box midfield player, he is very good in the air, he is a threat from set-pieces and he can also play at centre-half.

“He is looking to play higher and it’s good for us to have players who are ambitious and have been at a higher level and want to kick on.”

Marine are looking for a return to form on Saturday against Staines, having surrendered a seven-match unbeaten run in a 2-1 defeat at Farnborough last time out.

Spalding’s side are currently 14th in the table, 21 points above their weekend visitors.

However, Marine are one of only three sides to lose to Staines in the league this season, going down 2-1 in the reverse fixture back in November, so Spalding is eager to set that right at the Webbswood Stadium.

“The players have set a great standard over the last seven or eight games. If you take the little blip from last Saturday out, they have been excellent,” said Spalding.

“It is important we get back to working as hard as we have been and don’t let our standards slip.

“I think a few sides will drop away in the next few months and it is important we are not one of them.

“I am not making excuses, it was probably one of our worst performances when we played Staines last time. It was one of those days where we just didn’t get ourselves going.

“It is important we turn up and work hard. If we do that, I think our football will come through.”