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Decision time for Malpas
MAURICE Malpas admits Eastleigh triallist Mark Marshall has given him "a decision to make" after a promising full Town debut last night.
The winger, pictured, is expected to return to Eastleigh for a pre-season tour today but the Town boss insists that is not definitely the last Town fans have seen of him.
He said: "I think there is something there with Mark. I have to decide whether it is something we can improve quickly, whether it is something we can fit into our team.
"The pace is there and that is one thing we don't have. But we have to make sure that does not cloud our judgement.
"I have spoken to his agent and spoken to him and I have to decide in the next couple of weeks whether we take him or keep an eye on him at Eastleigh.
"He is going away back to Eastleigh and down to Devon with them because they have to prepare for the season as though he is there.
"I don't have a problem with that. We have to agree with that and then decide what we do. He has got us thinking. I have a decision to make now certainly."
Fellow triallist John Hills only appeared for the last half hour but will get another chance to impress against Salisbury City tonight.
Malpas said: "Jon will play against Salisbury. It was a hard session on Monday and probably did more than we thought. He will probably play Saturday and we will see how we get on."
Last night's 2-1 victory over Hampton and Richmond was Town's first this summer, leaving Malpas optimistic about the coming weeks.
He said: "I was delighted with that. I thought it was a good game and we did well for 80 minutes.
"I thought we got a bit sloppy for the last 10 minutes, maybe through mental fatigue. As a group that is the first time they have played for the full stint.
"I told the lads before the game how this is more like the real season. It was all about how they treated it mentally and all about how they wound themselves up for the game.
"Against Fenerbahce it was easy because they were playing against world class players, the same as Steaua and Portsmouth.
"I thought they handled that well though. We were also expected to win convincingly but it is never as easy as that."
8:00am Wednesday 23rd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jimmy, Bratton on 8:57am Wed 23 Jul 08
I really enjoyed watching Marshall against Pompey because of his pace and he is a very ambitious player aswell. Mark would improve his end product as he learns and develops through league 1 football. Malpas you got to sign this boy!
I really enjoyed watching Marshall against Pompey because of his pace and he is a very ambitious player aswell. Mark would improve his end product as he learns and develops through league 1 football. Malpas you got to sign this boy!
Posted by: TonyJanson, Chippenham on 9:31am Wed 23 Jul 08
I agree Jimmy. I would fear for the lad`s chances if a "star" was also signed up for that position though.
I agree Jimmy. I would fear for the lad`s chances if a "star" was also signed up for that position though.
Posted by: moonchild, swindon on 9:59am Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]TonyJanson[/bold] wrote:
I agree Jimmy. I would fear for the lad`s chances if a "star" was also signed up for that position though. [/quote] We don't do stars though Tony - so no need to fear!!
TonyJanson wrote:
I agree Jimmy. I would fear for the lad`s chances if a "star" was also signed up for that position though.
We don't do stars though Tony - so no need to fear!!
Posted by: Nlorenzos, Chiswick on 12:59pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Good performance last night worth signing in my opinion
Good performance last night worth signing in my opinion
Posted by: Nightshift, UK on 6:09pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Yes definately sign as he might not be quiet ready, but there's plenty to work with.
Yes definately sign as he might not be quiet ready, but there's plenty to work with.
Posted by: old town red, swindon on 6:56pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Agree with all post regarding Marshall, but I would be very concerned that Malpas has problems with his team that switches off for the last ten minutes. What does it take for these guys to understand they have to perform for >90 minutes and beyond!
Agree with all post regarding Marshall, but I would be very concerned that Malpas has problems with his team that switches off for the last ten minutes. What does it take for these guys to understand they have to perform for >90 minutes and beyond!
Posted by: Ted, Pewsham on 7:57pm Wed 23 Jul 08
[quote][bold]old town red[/bold] wrote:
Agree with all post regarding Marshall, but I would be very concerned that Malpas has problems with his team that switches off for the last ten minutes. What does it take for these guys to understand they have to perform for >90 minutes and beyond![/quote] MM aint going to deliver constant praise to his team all the time or they will never improve performances.
As for Marshall I think we can offer him a 2 year deal as his wages would be pennies compared to the majority of the others and he seems keen to learn his trade here.
old town red wrote:
Agree with all post regarding Marshall, but I would be very concerned that Malpas has problems with his team that switches off for the last ten minutes. What does it take for these guys to understand they have to perform for >90 minutes and beyond!
MM aint going to deliver constant praise to his team all the time or they will never improve performances.
As for Marshall I think we can offer him a 2 year deal as his wages would be pennies compared to the majority of the others and he seems keen to learn his trade here.
Posted by: old town red, swindon on 8:55pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Ted, not sure if the problem is not praising them and letting them think they are better than they are is the issue, according to Malpas he told them beforehand to keep their focus for 90 minutes, they get sloppy and pay the price when they think the game is won after 80 minutes.
Sorry mate but if these guys cannot keep focused for 90 minutes, we are going to lose lots of games conceeding goals in the last 10 minutes. This is where malpas needs to be focused and make the tactical changes at the approbriate time!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ted, not sure if the problem is not praising them and letting them think they are better than they are is the issue, according to Malpas he told them beforehand to keep their focus for 90 minutes, they get sloppy and pay the price when they think the game is won after 80 minutes.
Sorry mate but if these guys cannot keep focused for 90 minutes, we are going to lose lots of games conceeding goals in the last 10 minutes. This is where malpas needs to be focused and make the tactical changes at the approbriate time!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: swindon_lad, Swindon on 2:10am Thu 24 Jul 08
I think that a lot of it isn't losing focus, but more a case of the fitness. Malpas, as we all know, has been putting them through a lot of fitness enduring tasks in training which could see a major improvement. We saw for ourselves that they didn't switch off at all against Pompey, and worked from first to last.
I think that a lot of it isn't losing focus, but more a case of the fitness. Malpas, as we all know, has been putting them through a lot of fitness enduring tasks in training which could see a major improvement. We saw for ourselves that they didn't switch off at all against Pompey, and worked from first to last.
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