FC Boro

Just when you think things couldn’t get much worse at Broadhall Way, they did this afternoon when it was discovered that Graham Westley has made both Daryl McMahon and John Martin available for transfer. I guess that’s the end of the attractive and entertaining football then, with the disposal of 2 of his best passers of the ball. Expect hoofball to be played until this plank has finally left our club! 

It seems GW would rather keep Gary Mills, who has done little to impress me this season, in his midfield rather than the energetic Martin who had re-discovered his form earlier in the season. I’ve said before that I think our best midfield duo is Martin and Bostwick as Bostwick’s defensive nature allows Martin to go forward more and create. This was the midfield partnership we had earlier in the season when we had our good run of form after a dreadful start.

“I’ve got to start making decisions who I’m going to give shirts to in the long term really. Neither John nor Daryl are going to be happy sitting on the bench and it would be better for them if they could go and find some first team football elsewhere.”

I’m not surprised that Westley has made changes, but I am shocked by what them changes are. McMahon has been fairly consistent this season when he hasn’t been injured and although he may of been below par in the last few games, just about everyone else has as well. Both of these players are key components in a team that wants to pass and move and it seems like Westley wants to move away from that already.

As for replacements, it was reported earlier in the week that Boro are trialing 6 or 7 players from football league clubs. Two names have emerged, with Shane White and Ashley Barnes joining the club from Plymouth Argyle on trial. Both of these players are youngsters in the Pilgrims’ reserve squad, looking to push into the first team. It seems like Sturrock wants them to get experience elsewhere first before bringing them into the Argyle side. I don’t see the logic in replacing good, experienced players with youngsters at this time in the season. This is what Peter Taylor did last season and it didn’t work. In fact it led to Boro dropping outside of the play-offs by the end of the season and missing out on promotion. One thing is for sure and that this move will not make Westley any more popular with the BHW faithful.