7:00am Tuesday 30th September 2008
By Neil Perrett
CHERRIES boss Jimmy Quinn says he is likely to continue to utilise enigmatic striker Brett Pitman as an "impact" substitute.
Pitman sealed Cherries' 3-1 win over Darlington on Saturday when he netted a finely-taken injury-time goal after replacing Darren Anderton eight minutes from time.
And as Quinn feels the 20-year-old is still learning his trade, he believes unleashing Pitman from the bench will see him at his best.
"He's certainly a goalscorer," said Quinn. "But at this moment in time, I feel he's an impact player. I think to start him on a regular basis would probably be too much because he's a young player and a lot of it is psychological.
"As a striker, you need to get to a certain age before you're able to cope with all the pressures. He's still developing and you don't really get to know your job well enough until you reach your mid to late 20s.
"If you start him on the bench, you take the pressure off him. He's certainly a player you can put on for 20 to 25 minutes to get a goal, like he did against Darlington.
"He's got a terrific strike and I think it takes the pressure out of the situation if he's starting on the bench because he can go on with no fear and is able to play his game."
Pitman silenced his critics when he put the finishing touches to victory over Darlington just minutes after his arrival had been met by booing from a minority of Cherries fans.
And although the Jersey-born hitman has had more than his fair share of criticism from sections of the crowd this season, Quinn insists the youngster must "rise above it".
Quinn added: "He had a bit of stick when he came off against Macclesfield but when you don't play well, that's part and parcel of it.
"Fans do what their eyes tell them and if they don't think somebody is doing well they will let them know. We've all been through it in the past and it's character building.
"From my point of view as manager, we haven't got the biggest squad in the world and although I know it's difficult at times, we've got to try to encourage these lads to produce their best.
"The fans gave him a good reception when he scored on Saturday but that's what it's like when you're a striker. If you don't score, they have a go and, if you do, they love you. When you get a bit of stick, you've got to take it on the chin and I think Brett is big enough to do that."
Pitman is expected to lead the line when Cherries host Yeovil in the Football Combination today when Quinn will also run the rule over Plymouth midfielder Damien McCrory and giant striker Fola Onibuje (2pm).
Onibuje, who lists Preston, Barnsley, Peterborough, Swindon, Wycombe, Shrewsbury and Macclesfield among his former clubs, is 24 and stands at 6ft 5ins tall.
Cherries: (from) Pryce, Stephenson, Ward, Oldring, Webb, McCrory, McQuoid, Lindfield, Pitman, Sturrock, Onibuje, Hill, Preston, Annetts, Holmes, Magookin, Thomas.
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