FC: Alfreton Town v Torquay United 5:30pm 11 October 2014

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Mention here that Harding may be considered for in defence as well. In fact, on the podcast, all sorts of options are being looked at - so why is everyone looking past the obvious option? Thought Hutchings was very highly rated?

I hope Jon is right about this. He sounds pretty convincing.

I'm not in a position to really comment about Jake Hutchings. I'm pretty sure he joined the club in 2012 and was immediately put forward (by whom?) as a "hot prospect". He made a brief appearance, ahead of his time, in the only pre-season friendly I saw prior to moving to Sheffield. I left with the player's name in mind and he seemed to be consistently getting a good press on one of the other Torquay United websites.

Hutchings was quickly promoted to a full professional contract in January 2013. With the Herald Express reporting that "Premier League giants Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea (were) all circling overhead" it's hardly surprising we thought we had a talent on our hands.

Thinking back, the signing of Hutchings on a professional contract would have been one of Martin Ling's final acts as manager. It's clear Ling, and Geoff Harrop, rated Hutchings very highly. I know little of the regard that Alan Knill and Chris Hargreaves have (had) for the player. Reports of Jake Hutchings' progress appear to have gone quiet but, hopefully, that's been more a reflection of (a) difficult times for the club and (b) that it's still extremely early days in the player's development. His spell at Grays last season was something of a "visit home" (there could have been all sorts of reasons for that to happen with a 17/18-year-old; perhaps too he was best away from the club at the time); Weymouth sounds to have gone well.



Which (sort of) comes back to Jon's earlier observation. If Jake Hutchings is good enough, he's old enough. That's what we all want, isn't it? Young players coming through and flourishing. I'd dearly like Jake Hutchings to be declared a roaring success by Saturday evening. It would represent another step forward all round.

But, equally, I find myself trying to balance Hutchings' possible selection with what's best for the team in the context of a particular match when we're well-placed in the table. It's an age-old dilemma and one which, if you followed the logical conclusion, would never see young players making their first team debut. I'm torn. I don't know whether Hutchings is (yet) good enough; I've not the foggiest how Ben Harding would do in that position.

What I do sense is that club and supporters alike are keen to gauge the effectiveness of the youth policy. I'd go as far as saying we're all becoming rather desperate to see a real breakthrough of some sorts. This needs judgement by the manager: not to bow to sentiment; not to kowtow to those who may have a keen interest in the selection of a young player; to do what is right for both player and team.

But, in all honesty, I can't see that the club currently has a home-produced player aged twenty (or over) who is likely to make a career in the game. The main hopes appear to be Hutchings (nineteen in December) and Ives (eighteen next July). If Hutchings plays on Saturday, it'll move things on without being conclusive. If he doesn't play, that won't be conclusive either. But I sense he'll need some sort of opportunity later in the season especially with, I believe, his contract set to expire in June 2015. Or at least a good-quality loan, possibly a notch up from last season's.

Then what happens if Jake Hutchings hasn't made a first-team appearance - or just a "one off" - by the time his contract is up? Amongst defenders, Ed Palmer was offered another deal in similar circumstances although, with him being from the South Hams, his position may have been different. Jake Hutchings is both from East London, where there is a plethora of clubs operating at different levels, and (as things stand) at a Conference club rather than one in the Football League. The club's status, at the time, could easily make a difference in the eyes of a nineteen-year-old (and those around him) as to whether to chance another year. It could also easily affect the club's decision at the same time. To extend the contracts of young players because they may cut it at Conference level? Or to make the decision to release them earlier because they're not going to make the breakthrough at the level we now operate? Throw in financial balancing act of contracts and, to an extent, it was forever thus. But it's also another indication that decisions need to be adjusted to our present, diminished status. I can't work out if this, in the longer-run, would result in the club giving young players the proverbial "less time" or "more time" than if we were at a higher level.

Whoever is picked will be under pressure to perform so I'm not entirely sure an inexperienced Jake Hutchins is the right move . Surely a game with little riding on it would be preferable for him to show his worth and gain experience
Only the manager will know what the best option is and I trust him entirely to make the right choice.
If we let in a hat full as we did a fortnight a go at un-fancied Telford then the knives will be out for an "easy target".

You can also be 100% sure Alfreton will have done their homework on us and our lack of central defensive cover and are ready to exploit any weaknesses aided by a certain Karl Hawley who will no doubt, be out to prove a point.

Our unexpectedly good start makes it tougher to blood youngsters.

I was expecting a mid-table campaign - but was keen to see us really give youth a chance and play attractive football.

Constant promotion battles and relegation struggles have stood in the way of the professional development of young players in recent years.

Now we can sniff promotion, people will not be as sympathetic to actually using our fourth choice centre-back as they might have been had we been mid-table.

Hutchings may very well make an error and he may be punished for it. You could just imagine Hawley muscling him off the ball to crack in a last minute equaliser to cost us two points.

It is just as possible that Downes, MacDonald, Cruise or a mystery loanee would have made the same error.

01 Rice
02 Tonge
05 Pearce
16 Richards
03 Cruise
11 Cameron
08 Young
22 Wakefield
07 Briscoe
09 Bowman
10 Ajala
Substitutes
06 Harding
14 Yeoman
20 Hutchings
23 Seabright
24 Ofori-Acheampong

Well that's a pretty offensive line up lets hope it pays off.

C'mon you yellows......si.......