Day 265

Coach Grant Brown had some thoughts to share about the development of midfielder Michael Woods today. Why I had to hear them second-hand from Martin O’Connor is beyond me, but apparently the lad has been training well. He’s improved his anticipation and composure, in particular. And he would be well served by an individual training regime to improve his passing. Great, I said. Let it be so. And just like that Woods was focusing on his passing ability.

Young Latvian goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins’ next game for the club will be his last—for this season, at least. His loan spell is due to end on the 30th of the month, and we can’t extend it until the end of the season. Mark Halstead will need to be ready to take over shot-stopping duties for the final five games of the campaign.

We’re approaching the point in the season where I need to think about life in League 2. My scouts sent word of a French defender by the name of Steven Thicot who may be a fine addition to the side next season. A product of the FC Nantes youth system, he was a part of the side that won the European Under 17 Championship in 2004. He appears to have been plying his trade as a squad player for Scottish Premier League team Hibernians for the past few years, although this season he’s been at Second Division side Brechin. With decent athleticism, solid technical ability, and fairly well-rounded defensive attributes, he’s a potential partner for Rui Marques—who probably has one good season left in him before Samba Kanouté takes his place.