BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT boss James Webster is relishing the prospect of a selection headache.
The R’s manager shuffled his pack for Tuesday’s Bostik League premier division victory against Wingate and Finchley.
James Love and Robbie Rees lined up in the full-back positions, Robbie Harvey and Joe Bedford were handed their first league starts and Tom Richardson and Aaron Condon returned to the starting 11.
Webster admits there were a “few raised eyebrows” but believes his bold policy paid off as Regent won 1-0.
Now he admits it is going to be a challenge managing the squad and keeping everyone happy - but it is a task he is looking forward to.
He said: “The boys knew I wasn’t happy with Saturday’s performance at Dorking (which the R’s lost 3-2).
“It was a big call to make six changes but I thought ‘let’s throw them in’.
“They deserved their chance and I didn’t feel we had anything to lose.
“It could have backfired massively and I know there were some raised eyebrows when the teams came out but I’m really pleased that the boys went out there and took their opportunity.
“They’ve shown me they want to be in the team more regularly and it’s now going to be a job managing the squad and keeping everyone happy, because there were a few disappointed people.
“It’s not going to be easy but it’s a nice headache to have and it shows we’ve got a great little squad.
“I speak to other managers who are having the opposite problem and struggling for numbers, but we’re in a position where we’re lucky with injuries at the moment and have strong competition for places.”
Regent are at full-strength squad, apart from long-term injury victim Pip Boyland.
The player-coach has suffered a recurrence of his knee injury, having been close to playing in last week’s cup tie at AFC Sudbury.
Webster said: “We were going to give him some game time but the injury went again.
“It’s frustrating for him and us, because there have been times recently when we’ve needed that leader out there. We’ve needed his experience.”
Regent have no league game tomorrow but have arranged a friendly at Mildenhall Town.
Elsewhere, in division north, MALDON AND TIPTREE are at home to Tilbury while WITHAM TOWN go to Romford.
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS have an FA Cup third qualifying round tie at home to Frome Town. Swifts eliminated Metropolitan Police on penalties on Tuesday.
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