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Could it simply be that Derby reserves is a higher standard then our reserve league and closer to League 2 standard?

I saw Halpin at Aldershot and he looked out of his depth so if he's not ready for 1st team League 2 action then playing him in a higher quality reserve league makes sense regarding developing his potential.

wodger of awabia wrote: Hi! R O T M,

Is N.C in the habit of inviting guest players to turn out for Derby Reserves? your site defines Saul Halpin & L.R.T as being "trialists"
Could it be that Clough & Buckle have struck up some sort of alliance, & Halpin & L.R.T have been invited up to further their "education". Perhaps Pringle had something to do with it.

Hi, looking at this article on your web site http://www.torquayunited.com/page/News/ ... 02,00.html it seems Clough and Buckle have a 'excellent relationship'

Our squad has been massively stripped under Clough (had to do it, too many big wage earners), which has left the reserves a bit thread bare to say the least.
As an example, we've signed Michael Boulding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Boulding specifically to play in the reserves and rumour has it that one of the medical team has had to play in at least one fixture this season!

That said, it was a very strong reserves side Halpin played in. Leacock, Anderson, Addison, Croft, Bailey and Robinson are all established Championship players (the first 3 with Prem experience) so that would of been a nice side to play in for Halpin & L.R.T (not taking anything away from them).

Talking of buying players and then sending them out on loan to League 1 &2 (although not to the same team granted); this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnaud_Mendy is pretty useful. Maybe as the Pringle deal didn't work out he could be next on your list?

I have seen Halpin twice this season, Aldershot and Crawley i believe. In both games he struggled, his defensive positioning was a bit iffy and just didnt offer anything extra.

He is only young and in pre season he did make a few good runs and shows glimpses of his potential.

I would like to keep Saul for another year, look what happened to muzzy at TUFC he was a shambles when he arrived but at the end of last season was lethal.

LRT should be kept no doubt I was impressed with his games at left back. When he came in our set piece game had more options, Nico is by far the best long thrower and a decent free kick taker but when LRT was playing we changed it about and didnt just rely on a tactic that the opposition would know about.

I hope it is just for their development. They have potential and could be valuable to us in the future.

According to the OS QPR have been looking at him aswell...

As great as it is that a lad who has come up through the youth system is getting such attention I selfishly want him to stay here so that the club can benefit from what they have put into him.
Either that or slap a rediculous price tag on him and see who'll pay.

Completely agree HRG. Looking at the team that Saul played in at Derby it wasnt a weak team. Hopefuully games like this will improve his confidence and match experience/fitness.

Lets hope he is able to show hip potential next season.