Almost every game brings with it a debate over team selection, and manager Chris Beech has always conceded that a case can be raised for every player, particularly with competition for starting shirts high as the team looks to turn dominant starts into three points.
Having gone with Josh Kayode to lead the line at Colchester last night, and with Lewis Alessandra waiting in the wings, the United boss explained his choice following what became another frustrating result.
“All the lads are great lads,” he told us. “Lewi is another player who had the virus and who wasn’t quite at it when we were back after the break.
“He did well as a number 9 before that break, but since then I think JJ [Kayode] has been exceptional in the last three games. Maybe it’s something we need to look at going forward, we’re obviously playing his old club on Saturday.
“But it was the right decision to play JJ in the right position in the right game. What I can assure you is that Lewi is training very hard.
“There’s nothing wrong with his attitude at all, and he will get his opportunity in the future. I just think Joshua has excelled in that number nine area.
“I think Lewis Alessandra has played his best football for us as a number nine, so the choice is then between Lewi and Jon. You’re playing away, there’s going to be some headers, tackles and things like that which Jon did meet and make, so that’s why Lewi didn’t play.”
And on the absence of midfielder Callum Guy, he explained: “He had a phone call that told him he’s had to speed up an operation for his girlfriend as they get ready for their new baby.
“Because of the nature of everything at the moment, there has to be Covid testing to make sure he can support her. We weren’t going to keep him away from that, so that’s where he is.”
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