Patrece Liburd

[theoffy]

What a good debut from the youngster, I only hope we can keep him for a while because I think he would make a good partner for Gill and Smudger.

I know he is only a short-term signing but does anyone know exactly how long for?

[ab]

Am trying to be serious, and the answer is probably as long or as short as the Club can afford to keep him, or until someone else comes in for him. That will probably not be facilitated by the agreement that Paul Doran be on loan for a month, and it may mean that Paul Barrett would need to move on. Hence, possibly the dissatisfaction in the timing of the international clearance (ie once that failed to come through, a months commitment had to be made to Walsall).

Whether Kamran Abassi (who has now moved on) was being paid, I do not know.

He did look a very useful addition to the squad indeed. We seem to have right backs (Clarke, Ward, Hodnett) coming out of our ears, but with Burley and Shabs missing, little equivalent cover on the left.

Without daring to suggest that they ALL miss training this week (to avoid injury!), but assuming they all come through unscathed, at least Smudger and Rapid are back for Saturday. If Patrece is still with us, then a back three of Smudger, Rapid and Patrece could emerge (which I must say, I like the sound of) - perhaps Shabs at left back if he is fit, with Ryan Clarke moving to right wing-back for the first time opens up some different options. Though we went 3-4-3 on Saturday to begin with.

[theoffy]

I totally agree with Liburd, Smudge and Gill as a centre three, sounds good. With Shabs or Burley on the left is good, but isn't Clarke a midfielder so that would leave Hodnett or Ward at right.

Clarke on right centre mid, Nwadike in centre, Clegg on left centre mid (colley to cover all three?)

Danks, Webby, Wild thing up front (2 out of 3)

When you look at this line up it is balanced and if it means we lose cover in letting Doran and Barratt go to keep Liburd I think it will be worth it.

[ab]

Not sure that Clarke is a midfielder. He has always been described as 'a right-wing back who can also play in central defence'. That may mean he can play right-side of midfield as much as Ward can, for example. Or both available for midfield with Hodnett at right-back.

I tend to agree - that CRUCIALLY when others are fit - that Liburd for Doran and Barratt may be a better bet. Doran himself is apparently injured at the moment - I know he did well in setting up the equaliser at Telford, but stood behind the goal, there were at least four times in that game when his distribution forward, intended for the channels, went straight out of play. Am not knocking the lad - very difficult to come in from reserve team football, and face a tough side like Kettering, and am glad for everyone who helps out. Liburd, though, seemed very assured at this level right from the off.

Its clear that Craig has a hernia, is playing despite it, and needs an operation, which will take him out at some stage for 4-6 weeks. The question for the Club - and himself - will be to decide when. Do you do it during October/November period when the majority of games are in the Cups, or is that the time when he is most needed? We would then have Troy and AP as striker cover.

Gary Walker is on the way back, apparently, but am not sure about the length of time Nic Colley might continue to be out for (if he isnt ready already).

The talk was of Shabs targetting the Harrogate game for his return, and I'm not sure about Burlo's sciatica.

For me, it really is a case of players returning from injury not suffering from recurrences, and getting some stability into the side. Preecey has my sympathy in that a number of injuries seemed to have carried over from last season without clearing up, others emerged without him being aware of them, on top of the usual injuries picked up during games, illnesses and suspension. But whether that argument is enough to allow a temporary loosening of the purse strings, we'll have to wait and see.

I hope it is in Liburd's case.

[B*ue dragonstander]

Craig should get his hernia done now while the other two main strikers are fit.

[Tim Munslow]

I agree with that last post; carrying injuries such as that can only aggravate them and make them potentially more serious.