Coasters' boss seeks a selection headache

The Coasters have been without summer signings Brendon Daniels and Rhys Taylor for almost six weeks through injury while Sam Finley has missed the last three games through suspension.

However, all three could be available to Challinor come the next National League North game at Kidderminster Harriers a week tomorrow.

“We want everybody fit to make the squad as competitive as possible,” the manager said. “Everybody knows where they stand and we will need every single one of them.

“That has turned out to be the case so far and will continue to be so. It gives us options and it gives us different ways of playing.

“To be able to pick from a from a full squad is a massive boost for us, especially going into such an important game next weekend.

“Selection is a problem for me but it’s a problem that I’m more than happy to have.

“Over the last couple of years we have made a conscious decision to have a strong squad, not just a strong 11. We don’t want people here just making up the numbers.

“To get the best out of players is to give them competition and have them under pressure to perform.

“Do I want players to be unhappy that they aren’t playing? Absolutely, but at the same time we want them to act in the right way and to be professional if they aren’t in the team.

“Every decision I make I will be able to justify to the players. Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling as to who you play, the shape we set up in, which substitution we make.

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but every decision we make is for the benefit of the team, not for any individuals.”

While Challinor is delighted to finally have a full squad available, he refused to be drawn into his strongest starting 11.

He said: “At different times there are players that are in form and players that are out of form.

“We don’t need two players for each position but we do need competition all over the pitch.

“In terms of wide players, with Brendon coming back he gives us something different to the other lads we have. The other three play out to in, unlike Brendon who can play as an out-and-out winger.

“In central midfield we have different types of players and realistically we have at least five people for three places. That flexibility is massive for us as a management team.

“There is a long time now until Kidderminster so we have plenty of time to prepare and pick a team capable of getting a positive result.”