Competition for places increasing

With The Herminator and Danny Webber closing in on returns from long-term injuries, which will make them like new signings, we will soon be starting to get a little more competition for places.

Whilst we are still short of numbers - even with them returning - in many ways, even with these two being some months off full fitness, as Steve Cotterill said in The News, they will be like new signings.

Cotterill said: 'what you have got to bear in mind is these are two major operations these boys have had.

'Hermann will be back quicker than Danny but we are not going to get them back and ready before the end of the year. That will be when they are properly competitive.'

Another that will increase the numbers is Richard Hughes, who is now back from suspension but knows he will have to bide his time before he gets a chance in the team again.

I like Hughes, he does a job although I must say that his influence is becoming less as time goes by and I certainly would not, unless it was really needed, be looking to put into a midfield pairing. Occasionally if we go 4-5-1 then adding him as a defensive shield is not a bad thing at times I guess though, so long as it is not a purely defensive 3 in the central area.

As said, and as Cotterill also said, the players returning from injury will not be fully ready for a while but with these two - who would need to get some time from the bench to start building up match fitness - and Hughesy we 'could' soon have a full compliment of 7 on the subs bench!

That would be a real rarity as we have not managed this for an age, and if we do this it does of course increase competition for places and that cannot be a bad thing, can it...

Also, as the season goes on being able to utilise a squad is something that you need to do as making changes here and there at times is essential as it helps with keeping players fitter and fresher for longer, and that will help going into the latter stages of the season.

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