Boss Dave Artell has challenged young starlet Harry Pickering to challenge Zoumana Bakayogo for the left-back spot, after coming through his full debut against Newport last weekend with flying colours.
The Gaffer has had a discussion with the youngster since the game & has challenged him to become & a regular in the side, now the dust has settled & the enjoyment has passed of the weekend of his first start.
Artell said: “I said to him, the hard work starts now. It’s easy getting into the first team & it’s easy being the best player in the Under 23’s every week, in the grand scheme of things. Playing six first team games on a eight, nine, ten out of ten, that’s the tough bit.
“I told him to enjoy his full debut & enjoy his weekend with all the plaudits that comes his way from family & friends & feeling like he’s walking on cloud nine. Let’s see if he can do that in six games time.
“Harry is a great kid. He’s got such a mature head on him for such a young player & he’s got a really good, sensible & clever family around him – so he’s not going to get carried away that’s for sure.
“I said to him that I only had one criticism, & that was when Ryan Wintle shot in the second half. Harry should’ve been played in on the left of the box for a one-on-one. He admitted to me that he didn’t should loud enough for the pass.
“He should’ve gone home as the match-winning debutant from that, & they are the fine margins. Hopefully he’ll remember that for next time.
“Overall, I was really pleased with him & he’s ready to challenge Zooms & we’ll see what that brings.”