BARRY Quinn's strong performance in midfield at Aldershot on Saturday has given Darren Patterson food for thought.
With the midfield not creating much for the strikers in recent games, Patterson pushed captain Quinn up from centre back to central midfield, and the ploy was relatively successful.
The U's boss wouldn't say whether he would use the Dubliner in midfield against Crawley on Boxing Day, but admitted he was looking at the different options he has.
"Obviously we need to score goals, so we need people who can see passes," he said.
"Quinny did well. He's a versatile player, he's played a lot there for Coventry and he started off there for us. I'm looking at different permutations.
"This time last year we weren't playing particularly well yet we were winning 1-0."
Yemi Odubade again had another good scoring opportunity at Aldershot, when he cut inside a defender just ten yards out, but screwed his shot past the near post.
"He snatched at it really," Patterson said. "He needed to be a bit more composed.
"He went for power when really it was just a slide into the opposite corner that would have done it."
Although neither found the net, strikers Yemi Odubade and Rob Duffy at least looked more like scoring, and because of that Patterson waited until late on before giving Matty Taylor a debut chance.
"The front two were much more effective, in workrate, knowledge and movement," he said.
"Matty has been very impressive in training, and if he continues like that, he might get his chance."
Billy Turley, James Clarke, Gary Twigg and Phil Trainer could all return to the starting line-up against Crawley, who have ex-U's midfielder Jamie Cook in their squad.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article