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Its for situations like this that the club has a squad strategy ie players suspended or injured, otherwise unavailable have to be covered by able replacements. We have by general acknowledgement 3 good CBs for Conference standard and then we have a junior pro in Hutchings who should be able to come in when necessary much as Mackenzie did a few of seasons ago. If I remember correctly then people thought he did ok. Huthings was on the bench yesterday indicating that CH had him in mind should he be needed.

WHAT?

So Torquay, the club that pay his wages, aren't allowed to recall him? Really?!?! I bet if SAF had requested one of his players come back from under 21 international duty, they would come running back straight away.

brucie wrote:Cruise says that he can play anywhere in the back four,played as a centre half before he came here and has more experience than Hutchings so I would go for him.

He can't do a proper job at left back he gets by.

Christ. As if Pearce is voted higher than Downes. What can Pearce do that Downes can't? Downes/MacDonald is a great partnership, amazed at how quickly they seem to be combining

Think because we're missing them we'll lose on Saturday.

You really can't see why Pearce is rated higher than Downer? Do you not see much of the team?

Matt.

ferrarilover wrote:You really can't see why Pearce is rated higher than Downer? Do you not see much of the team?

Matt.

Matt if you judge it on this seasons form I would have to say that as a manager I would select Downes even though I feel that Pearce has been the better player last season. You cannot get away from it Downes power was missing from Pearce's performance last Saturday .

Downer is glacially slow and has given away either two or three penalties this term. He's a nice player, but isn't in Pearce's class.

Matt.

In Gulliball's excellent Player of the Month ratings, Downes and McDonald have been in the top five for both August and September, and deservedly so in my opinion. This is because they have developed a strong central defensive understanding, as well as weighing in with a few goals, and I think that partnership should continue. It's tough on Pearce because he was by far and away our best player last season but the choice has to be Downes/McDonald based on their form this season.

Except that Pearce has done nothing wrong to suggest that he should be dropped either....

I'm certainly not going to underestimate the contribution to our season made by Aaron Downes , he has weighed in with some important goals as well. Matt however does make some good points, Downes does seem to have a friendship with captain screw up , and Pearce is quick, eventually when there all available, it's going to be tough on one of them.

The big advantage Downes has is being the only naturally left sided centre-half of the three. It's a shame MacDonald doesn't prefer playing on the left as a straight shoot-out between those two to partner Pearce would be the easier decision to make.

ferrarilover wrote:Downer is glacially slow and has given away either two or three penalties this term. He's a nice player, but isn't in Pearce's class. Matt.

The only penalty I can recollect off the top of my head is Lincoln away. That was a shocking decision (yet again) as Downsey clearly makes contact with the ball prior to the defender hurling himself over the leg that just played the ball.

Sunnysideup wrote: The only penalty I can recollect off the top of my head is Lincoln away. That was a shocking decision (yet again) as Downsey clearly makes contact with the ball prior to the defender hurling himself over the leg that just played the ball.

He also gave one away at dartford that was missed !

Sunnysideup wrote: The only penalty I can recollect off the top of my head is Lincoln away. That was a shocking decision (yet again) as Downsey clearly makes contact with the ball prior to the defender hurling himself over the leg that just played the ball.

He also gave one away at dartford that was missed !