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Search forDevils to recall Gough for crucial meeting
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 06:58
The city outfit entertain Buxton at the St Boniface Arena on Friday, knowing that a win would see them claim a Conference League play-off place and a shot at the title.
They then head to Kings Lynn on Sunday to take on Boston in the second leg of the Conference Trophy final, looking to protect a 63-28 first leg lead.
The Devils suffered two consecutive Conference League defeats at Buxton last Sunday and Scunthorpe last Monday.
In response to the two losses, Bowden has dropped Jaimie Pickard – who has recorded just six points from his last 12 rides – and replaced him with Gough, who scored two points from four rides on his debut in the 60-31 win over Sittingbourne last month.
"Jaimie Pickard has had enough opportunities now to show some improvement," said Bowden.
"But he has in both been well off the pace, he has been going backwards and he simply hasn't scored enough points.
"As a team, we cannot afford to carry riders, and unfortunately that has been the case in some of our matches.
"When you go to tough places like Scunthorpe, if you want to come away with a win, then you need all your riders competing and contributing a few points.
"But that didn't happen and so we have to look at ways of strengthening our team.
"That is why David Gough will be riding against Buxton on Friday and against Boston on Sunday – he will make us stronger."
Gough will ride at number two against both Buxton and Boston, where he will link-up with number one Mark Simmonds.
Kyle Hughes will move to number four with Tom Brown at number three and skipper Seemond Stephens riding at number five.
Paul Starke will wear the number seven race-jacket, although the number six position has yet to be confirmed for the home match with Buxton.
Either Jamie White-Williams or Cullompton grasstrack ace Richard Andrews will ride there, with Bowden expecting to make a decision either later today or tomorrow.
However, against Boston on Sunday, White-Williams – who has been competing at two and four in recent weeks – will definitely start at number six.
"I am thinking of handing Richard some experience on Friday, although I don't want to throw him in at the deep end," said Bowden.
"But for Sunday, it would be too much to ask him to come into the team for the second leg of a final on an away track.
"So, Jamie White-Williams will definitely ride there on Sunday.
"He has battled away riding at number two and number four and I am hoping he should pick up some points and some confidence riding at reserve, where it should be a little easier."
Plymouth Devils (home to Buxton): Mark Simmonds, David Gough, Tom Brown, Kyle Hughes, Seemond Stephens, Jamie White-Williams/Richard Andrews, Paul Starke.
Plymouth Devils (away to Boston): Mark Simmonds, David Gough, Tom Brown, Kyle Hughes, Seemond Stephens, Jamie White-Williams, Paul Starke.
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