Dropping Griffiths would have been harsh, says boss
SCOTT Flinders is facing a fight for his place in the Cheltenham Town side for the first time since he joined the club.
After playing in the 2-1 win at Carlisle - his 500th senior appearance and his first league game after 10 months out with a broken leg - Flinders has returned to the bench with West Brom loanee Josh Griffiths restored to the side against Walsall and Cambridge.
Griffiths had been away with England Under-20s, causing him to miss the Carlisle game, and manager Michael Duff said he had done nothing to merit being left out.
“Ultimately it would be harsh to come out of the team after being called up for your country,” said Duff.
“He did nothing wrong to come out of the team. Scott (Flinders) was excellent when he came in and made it a really tough decision, but ultimately Josh has been at fault for one goal - the one against Grimsby is the one he can really look at.
“It was a hard decision, harsh on Scott, who was excellent last week in two games, but ultimately that’s what I have to do, unfortunately.”
Griffiths played in a match against Aston Villa for England Under-20s while he was away.
“To be fair to Josh, he didn’t want to go,” said Duff.
“He was probably worried about what might happen.
“He looks like he gained a bit of confidence and if you can’t grow in confidence when you have been selected for your country, it doesn’t matter which age group - the older the age groups, the harder it is.
“Scott was obviously disappointed, but that’s the way it goes and we’ll probably need Scott at some point and he’ll prove what a good goalkeeper he is, because we do believe he is a good goalkeeper.
“Part of the conversation with Scott on Friday was that he will have to fight for the shirt for the first time since he’s been here, and I am sure he will.
“He couldn’t do any more in terms of his performances. He has worked long and hard for 11 months.”