Match Thread Chesterfield Away

Staunton has also been used in a more advanced role in pre-season hasn't he. I preferred the look of him at CB myself, and it was a loss at the time when he got injured. I reckon he'll be fourth choice at best there now though with Kelleher waiting in the wings if Paudie or Canavan's form dips. I think Adams will favour big, strong, units at the back above all else, rather than ball players.

Sikora might be loaned out as Foulds, who appears LB cover, can also play CB if needed.

 

Did it?

 

It certainly did! Because it showed what a totally miserable mess we were in then. Devoid of structure, tactics that the shower of players we had couldn't possibly play to. They didn't just beat us 7-2, they swamped us, totally. How many more alarm bells did you want ringing for the miserable season ahead we had to endure? And that's also what friendlies are for.

 

It would do Sikora, Scales and Cousin-Dawson alot of good to get some regular first team play in a decent National League side. I don't think any of them are too far off from becoming steady Lg 2/ possibly Lg 1 players, but they all need much more battle experience against big tough gnarly players. The Chesterfield friendly pointed that up big time. For me, Staunton is ready. Not a first choice in defensive midfield, but a very handy replacement. Not in defence! This kid is a defence protector.

 

Yet Adams has said he does not see the kid Staunton as a CB at the moment ?.

 

I dont think that Kelleher would be too bad with Canavan and Threlkeld either side of him. Not saying he looks a classy footballer by any means but in this division the number one job of a centre back is to make sure that ball does not get into the penalty area by whatever means possible. There are others in the team to play the fancy stuff.

 

I guess the jury is still out on Kelleher. We've not really seen enough of him thus far to make any kind of conclusion. I'd love for him to come good - he seems very articulate and self aware.

 

Yes absolutely. Staunton is a defensive midfielder - the perfect replacement for Songo'o if injured. He has good passing nous to make things happen further upfield, but good at protecting the defence.

 

Staunton is also the only young player we have who is currently ready to step up into the first team. Cousin-Dawson played alot last season and that experience will have done him good. But like Scales and Sikora he needs time out in the National League playing games every week against big nasty bastards who'll pull them all around the pitch.

 

The short cameo he played against Doncaster showed exactly that IMHO - he was the MF that nobody got past, and was always ready to push forward with energy. He looked solid and composed on the ball. I hope if he has to understudy Songo'o for a few months it will make him ready to step up, either as a BCFC stalwart or a Championship prospect

 

Nah he's 19 years old he's still a kid to me.

 

Aye, and still wet behind the ears!
Pass me the zimmer Dave

 

I think this is the best crop of young players we've produced for a good long while. But for me, Staunton continues to the one we must develop and improve by giving more game time to this season. He's oven ready for Lg 1.