Efete return creates selection conundrum for Yeovil showdown
PAUL Hurst’s biggest decision this weekend could well lie at right-back as Grimsby Town look to continue their 100 per cent start to the season at Blundell Park.
The Mariners will be backed by over 6,700 supporters at home to Yeovil Town, where the National League leaders will seek a fourth successive league victory.
It’s been a perfect start at DN35 for Hurst’s men and their form in recent weeks leaves the Town gaffer with plenty to ponder about his team selection.
The biggest debate, perhaps, is who should start at right-back? Ryan Sears has occupied that position for the last four matches, with Michee Efete suspended for three of those.
The summer acquisition had been a star performer for Town in the opening weeks of the season but a moment of ill-discipline saw the defender red-carded against
Bromley.
It was a decision that proved costly as Town lost 3-1, their only defeat of the season so far. Nonetheless, Efete will be in contention to return this weekend after three weeks out of action.
“I hope so, we’ll find out if a situation like that arises again,” Hurst said when asked if Efete had learned from his error.
“I think, for me, it seemed out of character but I haven’t managed him for too long, only a few months.
“I hope that situation happens again, he has a different reaction.”
It seems unlikely that Efete’s misdemeanour will be held against him after serving his three-match ban and that leaves Hurst with a real selection dilemma ahead of the weekend.
Sears hadn’t had a look-in prior to Efete’s suspension but has performed admirably since, with the defence keeping three clean sheets in his four matches.
It’s fair to surmise that Efete is a more natural attacking full-back, as is Seb Revan on the opposite side. Both enjoy going forward and attacking the opposition, whereas Sears and Adam Crookes are both defensively-minded.
Despite two goals and an assist, Crookes is likely to return to the team at left-back and that could also play into Efete’s favour, should Hurst look to balance the skillset of his two full-backs.
Yet, we have seen with Giles Coke and David Longe-King that if you fall out of the side, through injury or form, it can be incredibly tough to get back in.
With the precedent that has been set, it would be harsh for Sears to be ousted, given his performances in recent weeks.
He appears to be growing into the Town shirt and his performance against Woking, in particular, stood out as a player gaining confidence.
For that reason, I would stick with Sears down the right and reward him for his displays after Efete opened the door.
Regardless, it’s a nice problem to have. Whichever way Hurst goes, it is a ‘utopia’ for any manager, as he has previously stated.