Tuesday night brought a return to action for defender George Tanner following a two-month lay-off with a broken collar bone, and a first start for the club for Brennan Dickenson, who found himself switched from midfield to the left back position as the game developed.
“It was very good to see George back out there,” manager Chris Beech said. “He’s a very fit lad, he’s worked really hard, and he’ll pick up from here.
“He tired towards the end, but he’ll definitely enjoy getting through his 90 minutes, as will Brennan. That’s his first 90 minutes for the club, and we’ll see as we progress where it takes them.
“It’s great to see Brennan play 90 minutes, it really is. He played inside left, left wing and ended up left back. The players should be challenging me to put me in that position to make those choices to make sure we try to get something out of it, that’s what I want more from us.
“It makes my job easier if the players are on it. The beauty of it is we have got a squad that’s competitive, even players who haven’t got changed tonight are capable of making a difference. I’ve just said to the players, less players on their game or available means I’m comfortable, they can have a bad game and play next week.
“Deal with being competitive, playing in a competitive environment where you’ve got to perform if you’re chosen, support if you’re not, and not get agitated if you haven’t got changed. That is what being a professional footballer and being at a club that’s pushing and challenging for things is about. Get used to it and do it.”
And on teenager Lewis Bell, who suffered with Covid-19, he explained: “He’s having a week in the gym at the ground, because he’s now coming to work, but it’s part of the process of recovery.”
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