Brindley's challenge for youngsters
Stafford Rangers manager Chris Brindley has challenged the young prospects on trial at the club to go from boys to men at Marston Road.
Unattached trio Ashley Page, Fabia Kassia and goalkeeper Tom Harrison all started the 3-2 friendly defeat to Worcester on Tuesday night, the second game of the pre-season schedule.
Page and Kassia dithered to give away the first goal, while Harrison was badly at fault for the winner - but that did not tell the whole story.
Former Stoke reserve Page saved his side with a brilliant tackle late on, ex-Wolves academy Kassia had pace to burn on the left while Harrison nearly saved the equalising penalty.
But they switched off at the wrong time - a typical trait of young players.
Now Brindley has challenged them to focus all of their energies on eradicating that from their game, with the reward of a first-team place there for the taking in what will likely be a young Rangers side this season.
The manager said: "Experience costs money, that is the scenario we are in. I need one or two of these youngsters to grow up and get themselves in a position to be in the team.
"There is loads to work on and it's not going to happen overnight. But the lads here play with a lot of heart and there is promise.
"We have got some good players which we have managed to maintain, we may just be short of that lack of depth.
"But for what we are paying out it's as good as we can get, it's as simple as that."
Brindley is still plotting to add to what he already has, with a centre-half and an out-and-out winger top of his shopping list.
Rangers have found themselves cut to the bone at the back after former skipper Wayne Daniel and Stuart Pierpoint left this summer.
Now the manager is eying a permanent partner for his one experienced centre-half Nick Amos.
Next will come a focus on the flanks, where the ball has already been set rolling.
The Marston Road boss said: "We need another experienced centre-half, as we have lost three big players in that area this summer.
"And we need a wide man, there are irons in the fire on that front and we will see what becomes available.
"That is where we are looking to strengthen as a priority."
