NL: Eastleigh v Torquay United 7:45pm 26 November 2019

Expect to see a few departures soon.

I wouldn’t think he feels he can just yet.

Chasing a game he left Duku and Koszela on the bench tonight. Keating has had similar ‘treatment’. Keating won’t be far off that estimation (the one that left the other two out tonight chasing a game) in Johnson’s eyes either. Scored one and missed a couple of sitters by the sounds of it tonight. TUFC related facebook tonight suggesting he is the Messiah. Gives his all, but....

If he saw Koszela as a better bet than either of the other two right now, not only would he play him, but the other two would be gone out on loan elsewhere or out the door the minute Reid is back. But he doesn’t. Which probably means that he isn’t. And that’s understandable. He is a young work in progress.

Those three and possibly Lewis and Niate are the only ones I can think of that Johnson might be looking at as possible loan departures. But now just isn’t the time with the injuries we have.

Who else? I can’t see that any of the other starters tonight are ones that he would want to lose. And I’m fairly sure he wouldn’t want to lose those who are presently out injured any time soon, perhaps barring glass legs loanee Edwards, and the already out on loan Dickson. Longer term, Asa Hall probably.

I’d like to think he might not try three centre backs again while the personnel is as it is. Maybe that’s a plus to take from tonight’s defeat. I trust him to get it right, because this injury crisis is the only time we have looked wobbly under his tenure.

Reid, Davis, Hall, Glass Edwards, Little, CLE and Vincent would all likely be in a preferred Johnson matchday squad. Maybe Buse might keep Vincent or Hall out on recent form in his eyes. Most of them would be starters. It’s a nightmare and I hope the Groundsman accidentally leaves the hose on later this week as Stockport could be the next side to turn us over if nobody is set to return and, crucially, hit the ground running. Stockport shipped a shedful tonight but we are there for the taking to bounce back right now.

Medford-Smith? Is he considered by Johnson now as better than Dickson at left back hanging run the rule over him? I understand Truro are playing Dickson at left back and Johnson clearly doesn’t rate Dickson in midfield as he would surely have been back already.

Maybe if there is inward movement people will get shipped out. But if the treatment table stays as is and there isn’t any inward movement, I can’t see it just yet.

At least Trophy week is one where we don’t have to play a League game. Would rather it was this Saturday than the 14th, though. Hopefully we might have players back the further into December we go.

Hard to believe anybody could be questioning GJ. Short memories. Look where we were when he arrived at the club. Case closed.

Niate out is not a problem as we have decent cover with Cundy and Cameron being the first two. Vincent is.

Our last win was against Halifax with a midfield of Andrews, Buse, Vincent and Whitfield behind Reid and Janneh. Worked fine. Things went downhill without Andrews at Maidstone and then of course Vincent at home to Sutton. Of course arguably two of our best players in Reid and Davis are now out as well but think the main issue is the midfield and why we have changed formation to cover for this.