Team for Exeter

Pollock is NOT comparable to Bennett in any respect. Totally different in physique and playing style. Pollock does well in attacking balls in the air and close marking a target man. He is a real threat at corners too. Exeter don' t play long.They play around opponents and switch play quickly side to side. I fear Pollock's lack of experience and general mobility would be exposed without a sweeper. Not fair to start him.

Quoted from Croxton

Pollock is NOT comparable to Bennett in any respect. Totally different in physique and playing style. Pollock does well in attacking balls in the air and close marking a target man. He is a real threat at corners too. Exeter don' t play long.They play around opponents and switch play quickly side to side. I fear Pollock's lack of experience and general mobility would be exposed without a sweeper. Not fair to start him.

Lack of mobility?! I take it you’ve seen him play regularly then?

Quoted from GTFC_687

Lack of mobility?! I take it you’ve seen him play regularly then?

Not regularly, no. Full game at Barton Town and some highlights. Enough to see lots of potential and clear differences with Bennett which was the thrust of my reply. This not a case of giving a few minutes to a winger when the game is won. Perhaps you think a baptism of fire could be the making of him?

I suspect that the balance of professional opinion would be that he would not be blooded under these circumstances unless there was absolutely no alternative.

Quoted from chaos33

I suspect that the balance of professional opinion would be that he would not be blooded under these circumstances unless there was absolutely no alternative.

What curcumstances do you ,'blood' a 17 year old?
Pollock is highly rated, with a host of clubs scouting him. They could take him for next to nothing. Give him a game which may nake him decide to sign a pro deal here

Quoted from Croxton

Not regularly, no. Full game at Barton Town and some highlights. Enough to see lots of potential and clear differences with Bennett which was the thrust of my reply. This not a case of giving a few minutes to a winger when the game is won. Perhaps you think a baptism of fire could be the making of him?

I was merely asking if you’ve seen him regular. One game and highlights would suggest you haven’t. For the record I haven’t either, just heard a lot about him.

For me I’d give him a chance. He’s a first year YT and has been on the bench a few times now. They must see something in him. I recall us playing Steve Croudson against Wolves and he magnificent. At a much higher level.

Quoted from GTFC_687

I was merely asking if you’ve seen him regular. One game and highlights would suggest you haven’t. For the record I haven’t either, just heard a lot about him.

For me I’d give him a chance. He’s a first year YT and has been on the bench a few times now. They must see something in him. I recall us playing Steve Croudson against Wolves and he magnificent. At a much higher level.

Cloudy makes a good point about other clubs watching his progress and you have to take the plunge sometime I guess. You may well be right!

Is Pollock a local lad?

If so I'm not too worried about him being scouted by a host of clubs he's Town through and through isn't he.  

I remember the pre season games where we had a young lad at the back and he made several defensive errors leading to goals.... But it wasn't Pollock.

I'd give him a try, tell him to do the basics no point putting a fullback in a CB position if we have decent cover.  He might have a good game and his stocks will only rise.

Quoted from Meza

Is Pollock a local lad?

If so I'm not too worried about him being scouted by a host of clubs he's Town through and through isn't he.  

I remember the pre season games where we had a young lad at the back and he made several defensive errors leading to goals.... But it wasn't Pollock.

I'd give him a try, tell him to do the basics no point putting a fullback in a CB position if we have decent cover.  He might have a good game and his stocks will only rise.

No he's not local he's the son of Jamie Pollock who used to play for Borough, Bolton and Man City for a bit. I think his family are based in the North East/Teeside.

If he's physically up to the job, then give him a go. Any errors he makes can be forgiven if he gives it a good go. If he's not developed enough for that yet (the strength of most 17 year olds is well below that of fully-grown men), I'd perhaps miss him out for now. Young wingers and full-back can generally cope with introductions to first team football sooner than central defenders who sometimes need to deal with outright intimidation from meaty forwards.

If Pollock doesn't play, as a left-field choice, how about Mitch Rose at centre-half? He's not hugely tall but he's extremely strong and otherwise decent in the air and apparently has experience of playing as a defender (albeit a wide one). When playing, he's one of our better defensive headers at set pieces.