David Wetherall reckons the addition of Eddie Johnson and Ben Parker has beefed up City's engine room.

The caretaker boss has converted Johnson from centre forward to centre midfield in recent games and moved Parker up from full back.

And he believes their presence has added more steel to City's play in the middle of the park.

Wetherall said: "We've identified a problem we've had through the season, that we've been physically lightweight.

"Sometimes we've just been too open in midfield, which is okay for us going forwards but if we're not scoring hatfuls of goals then it leaves us susceptible to the opposition running the show.

"It's just getting that balance right and on the physical side I think we're better now. We've got that better shape in the team.

"That was idea of moving Ben into midfield and he has worked his socks off. He covered so much ground for us against Brighton and Eddie, too, was excellent in that role."

Johnson was thrust into the job after Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's knee injury at Scunthorpe. He has responded with some enthusiastic displays to forge a good partnership with Steve Schumacher as well as taking over Bridge-Wilkinson's set-piece duties.

It was Johnson's corner which led to Billy Paynter's winner at the Withdean last week.

Johnson said: "I've been in there for four games now and I'm really enjoying it. It's not a totally new role because I've done it before but this is certainly the longest run I've had."

Wetherall is keen to see City cash in more on set-pieces - they have only scored four goals from corners all season.

He added: "It's been an issue for us that opposition set-pieces have caused us a lot of problems and ours probably haven't.

"They are such an important part of the game and the delivery is vital. We've been working hard on them in training and I think Eddie's delivery so far has been very good."

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