Team for Exeter

Given the current injury situation what would be your starting 11 on Saturday?

McKeown
RHJ Whitmore Fox M Rose
Embleton Clifton Hessenthaler Pringle
Thomas Cardwell

We will see which players will be back and fit by then Davis is out though

Put woolford At LB and move fox to CB.

Quoted from Hagrid

Put woolford At LB and move fox to CB.

Think that’s most likely solution and probably what M.J. will go with. Hopefully we don’t pick up any more injuries.

One option would be to go with a change of shape. Play the remaining 3 recognised defenders RHJ, Whitmore and Fox as a back 3, then have wingbacks, probably Mitch and Woolford.

Unless DC or Famewo make a miraculous recovery I’d go with Wooly at LB and Fox at CB.

He's shown faith in youth previously so why not now. I think I'd rather see pollock in centre back with proper full backs than fox in the middle with rose or woolford at left back.

Dave Moore alongside Whitmore, full backs stay the same. Less changes to the unit the better.

Are Hendrie and Famewo defo out?

Quoted from Mariner93er

He's shown faith in youth previously so why not now. I think I'd rather see pollock in centre back with proper full backs than fox in the middle with rose or woolford at left back.

See your point but it’s somewhat different to previous examples. Strikers and midfield is a lot different to playing CB in this league. Throwing a young lad in against Stockley and Exeter May not be the best way to introduce him.

Let’s be honest, this is at times a brutal league physically, just look at today’s game, and as far as I’m aware Pollock hasn’t played competitive men’s football yet.

Don’t get me wrong, I hope he and others come through.... it just for me wouldn’t be the right circumstances to throw him in. For him aswell as the club.

Quoted from Mikey_345

See your point but it’s somewhat different to previous examples. Strikers and midfield is a lot different to playing CB in this league. Throwing a young lad in against Stockley and Exeter May not be the best way to introduce him.

Let’s be honest, this is at times a brutal league physically, just look at today’s game, and as far as I’m aware Pollock hasn’t played competitive men’s football yet.

Don’t get me wrong, I hope he and others come through.... it just for me wouldn’t be the right circumstances to throw him in. For him aswell as the club.

Agree with you here. By all means Pollock is seen as a great prospect but throwing him straight in against Jayden Stockley could destroy him. Then again, it could be the making of him.

If MJ feels he is ready, he has already shown he isn't afraid of playing the youngsters.

I would have taken 3 points from these 2 away games so whatever team plays at Exeter they are under no pressure for me and any more points for us are a bonus.

Quoted from promotion plaice

I would have taken 3 points from these 2 away games so whatever team plays at Exeter they are under no pressure for me and any more points for us are a bonus.

Tend to agree with you but another point, even if a boring 0-0, would do us nicely

I'm just not sure putting rose or woolford in defence is anymore preferable to playing a youth in his natural position.

I understand people's reservations about putting a young player in at centre back, but it's a great opportunity for Pollock if you ask me.

It's Exeter FFS, not Real Madrid. They're only 9 points ahead of us and we are actually THE form side in the division.

If we can't give a debut to a young lad who is very highly thought of, against a team 9 points above us when we're not under any pressure of a relegation fight, and have one fit centre back, I'll be a little disappointed. When would we be willing to debut a centre-back otherwise? When we're 4-0 against a team 2 league's below in a cup?

Ryan Bennett was given a chance at a similar age (I know he sometimes played at full back initially) and he was not only ready, but has gone into better things. Appreciate that not every debutant goes that way but we seem to be giving young players opportunities at the moment and this would be a great chance to really put these values into action.

What's the alternative, Woolford at left back? Mitch Rose at right back? No thanks to either for me, and that's without considering that we'd have Fox or RHJ at centre half (again, neither of those for me).

By the way, this centre back crises smacks of xmas 2005/6 to me.

Where's Glen Downey?

The only thing I wonder is why didn't Pollock come on for Harry Davis as a sub? There was a centre back there on the bench but he wasn't picked. That is what makes me feel like it's unlikely he will be picked to start.

Mitch Rose used to play at right back for Ilkeston so that's an option Jolley will maybe favour over Pollock. His brother is not a bad fullback either 😉

I’d keep changed to a minimum so either put Pollock in or one of the central midfielders as a centre back. Making two players play unfamiliar positions seems more problematic (shuffling one fullback into middle and putting a midfielder as full back).

Yeah a few people have asked me how I would approach this one if I was in MJ's shoes. For me, I'd be sticking Pollock in there, much rather have a natural CB playing. If he is not good enough to play then he should not be on the bench at all.

I would be tempted to play Pollock, sure he's very young and inexperienced and never played a competitive game before but he looks a big physical lad just like his father was and that should aid him slightly in the physical battle against Stockley. Add to that he's a natural centre back.

I agree, great opportunity for him and what a message to send to the youth set up lads if he's given the nod

Quoted from Abdul19

Dave Moore alongside Whitmore, full backs stay the same. Less changes to the unit the better.

Legs have gone, I'm afraid.

(But don't tell him I said so   )

MJ's first instinct in his post match interview was to suggest playing Fox at centre back. That would mean Woolford at left back and Pringle in front of him. Having never seen Pollock play I wouldn't know if having a makeshift centre half and those two down our left would be more of a risk that throwing a big unit of a young lad in and keeping Fox at left back. My instinct (without any knowledge of the young lad's abilities other than he was on the bench yesterday and is well thought of) would be to give Pollock his chance.

So if Pollock gets selected and bearing in mind that we are playing against a decent team who are in good form away from home with another game against a tough side coming up, could we look at stiffening up the midfield and hand game time to one or two that need games? Thinking out of the box a little, maybe play Rose and Welsh as added protection in front of the centre halves with Embleton, Hessenthaler and Clifton ahead of them with licence to get forward at all opportunities behind Thomas? A 4-2-3-1 going forward reverting to a 4-5-1 when defending?

                               Mckeown
RHJ           Whitmore          Pollock            Fox
                    Rose                Welsh
   Clifton                 Embleton              Hess
                              Thomas

somehow looks a bit more solid than..

                              Mckeown
RHJ           Whitmore             Fox            Woolford
Cardwell     Clifton    Hess        Embleton          Pringle
                              Thomas

It's a difficult one for MJ, no doubt about that.

Other than the Davis injury, the biggest disappointment for me was to see Ahkeem pull up injured yesterday because he looked useful when he came on and really at home in a League Two game..

For a young lad, playing Pollock against Exeter will go 1 of 2 ways.

Draw 0-0, and his confidence will go through the roof

Lose 3-0, 4-0, and it will hit him hard

                           McKeown

Clifton     Whitmore    Fox    Hall-Johnson

      Hessenthaller    Rose.M     Pringle

                          Embleton

                Cardwell         Thomas

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

For a young lad, playing Pollock against Exeter will go 1 of 2 ways.

Draw 0-0, and his confidence will go through the roof

Lose 3-0, 4-0, and it will hit him hard

Really?
Not in my view. Footballers are brought up to play, to try to win but know sometimes it goes against you. It doesnt make you want to pack up whether you are 17 or 37. It makes you determind. One game doesnt make or break a player
Pollock listens to his old man. He will know the ins and outs

I for one would play him rather than having several players out of position

Same team as Saturday for me with Pollock coming in for Davis and either Mitch rose or Welsh coming in for Clifton/Hess to sit right in front of the back 4 to add protection, Welsh experience might be ideal to help Pollock.

I’m pretty sure Rose played as a wing back for Mansfield a fair bit too.  He was playing well before he got injured and Hess took his opportunity, so we may well see Rose slotted in there.

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

For a young lad, playing Pollock against Exeter will go 1 of 2 ways.

Draw 0-0, and his confidence will go through the roof

Lose 3-0, 4-0, and it will hit him hard

You learn more about yourself from losing than you do winning.  If he crumbles after one set back, is he destined to be a footballer?

I would play Pollock,  maybe with Welsh in front of the back 4

Play Pollock but dampen expectations both for him and the team. Any points at all is a massive bonus. Whoever we play Exeter are going to throw everything set us early on as they know we are weak. People says the experience might harm him but so might leaving him on the bench when he's the only straight replacement. Rose on the bench as a full back or holding midfielder if we need him.

RHJ was a strange one on Boxing Day.

He went down injured, Dave Moore gestured that he couldnt continue, he hobbled off with Mitch Rose stripped and ready to replace him. Then RHJ has a change of heart, goes back on and plays out the game!

It could be that he too IS actually injured for Saturday too?

I'd play Pollock, just think how excited and geed up he would be, also young legs so I would assume a bit of pace. As Del Boy would say" he who dares" .

Everyone has to.make their debut. Even Pele.

If Pollock is good enough he is old enough.

Anyway, imagine the fun we could have if he has a good game:

Pollock is The Catch of the Day for The Mariners!! etc, etc...

Quoted from Bigdog

                               Mckeown
RHJ           Whitmore          Pollock            Fox
                    Rose                Welsh
   Clifton                 Embleton              Hess
                              Thomas

I would go with this starting XI.  Easy to change if we feel we need to be more attacking.

An away game with us in good form. Done well so far and we would not have had thoughts of points several weeks ago.

Put the lad in and make everyone talk to him, especially Macca.

It would be great to discover another Bennett.

Playing him gives out a great signal to any father wanting a son to join a team who will give young talent a chance. 3 years on, that could be huge !

This line up that Bigdog suggested works for me.

                             Mckeown
RHJ           Whitmore          Pollock            Fox
                    Rose                Welsh
   Clifton                 Embleton              Hess
                              Thomas

A point at Exeter would be a good result IMHO.

Then what happens at home versus Mansfield?

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.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

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.

Thanks Herts.

Ah right didn't know that.  I remember Jamie well through the 90's.  Good player in his day.  His son might turn out to be a diamond in the rough.

Compromise 1 - Left back at centre half
Compromise 2 - Game short midfielder at left back
Compromise 3 - A slow pairing of Woolford and Pringle down our left (shudders)
Compromise 4 - Throwing a promising young lad in at centre half to avoid square pegs in round holes

Simple equation when analysing the compromises..

If      

1+2+3 > 4

Then play the young lad. It's only one game, a free hit, everything to gain and nothing to lose. Better for Exeter to be only able to target one area of perceived weakness rather than three and much easier for us game management wise..  

In other news..... I'm sure I saw Ahkeem welly a good goal in training at Birmingham. Encouraging if so. On OS on Freeview.

The lads got the opportunity that he’s been waiting for because of injuries so why wouldn’t he have the chance to prove himself ? Chuck him in and see if he’s got the bo.llocks for it .

Need we look further than Wan Bissaka at Palace. Injury forced youth player in to the team

Think I saw Hendrie training on the Brum video so that can only be a good thing.