The Diary

Cod Almighty | Diary

Pass the football to the left-hand side

6 February 2019

More good news as Elliott Whitehouse continued his rehabilitation with some work on the grass this week. True, the work was tender and Dave Moore was gentle with his jogging, but the signs are good.

Whitehouse was a key signing in the summer before he suffered his anterior cruciate ligament injury. A typical Jolley coup: energetic, adaptable and – crucially – young. He fitted the mould perfectly and we hope will fill the Embleton role in the future as he fully recovers. From his interview, you get the sense he'll be mentally stronger too.

Jolley's deployment of youth has been a standout part of this season. Whatever happens, his faith in young players must be applauded. Not only that but asking them to play a system that isn't 4-4-2 takes guts. Thunderdiary has already stated my aversion to 3-5-2, but the signs in the last two games are of a system that is fluid, intelligent and eye-catching. It was more obvious on Saturday that Rhys Hall-Johnson had licence to roam, but it happened the the week before when Harry Davis was on the right wing as Luke Hendrie crossed for Wes Thomas' goal.

It seems Ludvig is the pivot and the defence interchange as Town attack – ceratinly RH-J was in the box for both of Cook's goals. The passing and movement that went with it, directed by youth with added experience, was a delight and potentially bodes well for the future. I just enjoyed a game of football played on the grass.

It's been pointed out on Twitter this week that Town have this season given 10,000 minutes of football to players aged 23 and under. This is effectively a third of all games and doesnt include the likes of Jake Hessenthaler and Harry Davis, both still comfortably the right side of 30.

Scott Harneiss then kindly researched the first 31 games last season and the number of minutes given to under-23s under Russell Slade shrank almost by half. To be expected? Maybe. But Paul Hurst wasn't great at it either. Who knows what might have happened if he had been?

With 15 games to go, their needs to be a herculean effort to get in the play-offs. At least ten wins will be needed, with little room for any defeats. But with youth in our side, what price Elliott Whitehouse to bag the promotion-sealing winner in May?