TOWN FLIER: Talent search starts in earnest

11:34am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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THE revolving door through which triallists come and go looks set to be busy this week with no fewer than three second-string matches in which domestic and foreign players can be given the once-over.

After Yeovil on Monday, it is Bristol City behind closed doors today, and the Wiltshire Premier Shield Final against Salisbury tomorrow (Thursday) night.

One player causing a bit of a stir is the tough tackling' former Metz midfielder Daniel Bocande, who has now played twice for Town reserves.

Although there have been mixed messages from the fans who have watched him, the management seem to like what they have seen.

It was good to have Patrick Kanyuka back in the fold after his various injury tribulations. With a full pre-season behind him, it will be like having a new signing next term - and a high class one, too.

Another pleasing aspect of these fringe games is to monitor the emerging young talent.

Ben Joyce may not have the tall, athletic stature that modern-day clubs seek in players - what he does have is the priceless gift of knowing how to find the back of the net.

Left back Callum Kennedy and centre back Tom Evans, who was further up the pecking order than Sean Morrison until his broken leg earlier this season, have continued to impress.

As for Morrison, himself, he did himself plenty of favours when coming on as sub for Jerel Ifil in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Gillingham on his league debut.

It seems we have another Ben Tozer on our hands. Let's hope the club doesn't cash in with such indecent haste on this one.

Mid-table Swindon coasted though the game while relegation-threatened Gillingham made all the running.

Perhaps it was an undeserved equaliser from Hasney Aljofree late on, but at least it keeps the mini-run going at the end of the season It was also nice to hear praise for Malpas from his opposite number Mark Stimson after the tactical changes at half-time slowed down the Gills' juggernaut.

Millwall secured their League One status with an eye-opening 3-0 defeat of Carlisle last Saturday so, with no tensions on either side, perhaps we can have an entertaining encounter for the last game of the season.

I hope, too, that the three players we know are leaving - Andy Nicholas, Sofi Zaaboub and Kaid Mohammed - are given a good send-off by the fans.

Nicho has warmed the bench too often for his liking but seems to have done so without complaint, while Kaid always had a tough task stepping up from non-league -- and not from the top echelons of non-league, either.

Unlike them, Zaaboub is definitely League One quality and his exciting days outweighed his indifferent ones. It is a shame the current regime could not get the best out of him.

Town Flier's choice of Player of the Year, Miguel Comminges, has been duplicated in the first two supporters' polls. Come on Miguel, sign.