John McAtee urged to win back AFC Telford place
Boss Rob Edwards has urged promising forward John McAtee to force his way back into the AFC Telford United team.
McAtee, 18, has failed to make the last two matchday squads and was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win at Alfreton Town before that.
He had previously impressed following his arrival on loan from Shrewsbury Town, who have high hopes for the teenager.
On why McAtee has been left out as of late, Edwards said: “The way we’re playing at the moment, 4-4-2, we’re looking at midfield players and wide players and front players.
“Macca has got to try to fit himself into that. We looked at it after the Southport game. We made a change and it’s suited us, gone well.
“You can also only have five loan players in the squad so it’s something I’ve got to look at and try to get that balance, for the right substitutions to try to affect the game.
“When we’ve lost a game, there’s always going to be questions of ‘why’s he not in?’
“There was none of that on Saturday after a good performance (drawing 0-0 with Darlington).
“I have to make decisions and try to pick the squad that I hope will get a result.”
With the change to a 4-4-2 formation, Jordan Lussey – a central midfielder by trade – has been shifted out to right midfield.
The Bucks chief wants McAtee, who has scored once in five appearances for the club, to adapt to the newly-adopted system in similar fashion.
“It gives us a good balance at the moment, Jordan – back to Alfreton last week – has probably put in the best cross we’ve had this season,” said Edwards
“He’s got crossing ability from there. What he won’t do is go for those one v ones like Elliot Newby (on the left-hand side) and get at someone.
“It gives us a good balance and obviously then there’s Ryan Giles.
“You can’t have an out-and-out match-winner in every single position on the pitch.
“What they do is, as a team, gel together and hopefully give you a match-winning performance as a team.”
McAtee will be hoping to return to the Telford squad for Saturday’s National League North trip to Blyth Spartans.
The Bucks are third bottom in National League North ahead of that game.
When asked if he will be involved, Edwards added: “There’s options and there’s always reasons behind my decisions.”