National League 19/20 squad

We have now reached a tipping point where the number of injuries has effected our level and ability to win games that we otherwise would have won 😭

Vincent - kicked in leg, hopefully back soon
Whitfield- kicked in leg / hopefully back soon
Andrews - ankle - short term, should be back soon
Hall - calf - back around late November / early December
Edwards - groin - back around early December
CLE - ankle - back around mid December
Davis - out to the New Year
Little- back around late January.

The big issue is that seven of the above all play in midfield. If the top three are all back next Saturday then we are competitive again. Reid only just made the game and was hampered so not inconceivable that he may miss a game or two.

I do wonder about Keating who couldn’t get on the pitch yesterday. His partner and baby were at the game so double the disappointment for him. Almost made it on the pitch but was switched after Whitfield was injured.

The dreaded injury situation seems to go from bad to worse:

Niate - 1 match suspension
Hall - calf - back around late November / early December
Edwards - groin - back around early December
CLE - ankle - back around mid December, possibly training early December
Reid - foot - out for 2 weeks?, mid December?
Vincent - ankle, 4-6 weeks, early January.
Davis - out until end of February/ Early March
Little- back around late January.

That is now at least 3 out until after the Christmas/New Year games! Need one of Hall and CLE back urgently....

link - bit of an update on the Devon Live site. Looks like Hall has started training with CLE to commence tomorrow. So Ends the good news.

Reid has an “ankle” injury now and is just out short term as opposed to long term!!! This subterfuge is doing my head in!!!!

Andrews looks like he may have really picked up a suspension as well for Saturday.

Rumour mill suggesting Jared Lewington en route from Tiverton. Is top scorer in their Division.

He is about as local as you can get - link

Just heard on the yellow army podcast that it was for a yellow from the Chorley match so issue is whether he is on 4 or 5. Cut off point now reached so the likes of Wynter can breathe easier.

Yep, we do. And the singular return of the half-fit Asa Hall for a portion of the match clearly wasn't enough to plug that experience and know-how gap. I'm not sure who it was, possibly the excellent Alpine Joe, who made this cracking observation a while back:

'Our attacking play is aided to such a great extent by Liam Davis' talent down the left, that it's asking a lot for any replacement to fill that gap anywhere near as well. Davis had the ability, experience and knowledge of this team to be a key cog in our success'

There might even be growing evidence, that Davis and his great experience did most to hold our defence together, was the best and most effective springboard for any of our attacks, and carried the ball through the midfield area with an ability and style that we just can't replace. I don't see Liam wanting to hurry back into the team before a doubling of his wages has been agreed first. And our results and performances in his absence would indicate he'd have a usefully strong bargaining position.