South Shields manager Ian Watson had 'hard conversation' ahead of play-off win against Buxton

South Shields manager Ian Watson has admitted his decision to replace goalkeeper Jasper Sheik ahead of Saturday’s National League North play-off semi-final win against Buxton led to ‘the hardest conversation’ of his managerial career so far.

The Mariners boss made two bold selection calls ahead of the game as he handed a first start since December to midfielder David Carson after a knee injury ruled out Will Jenkins - but perhaps the biggest surprise came in goal as on-loan Wigan Athletic stopper Tom Watson was recalled at the expense of former Crawley Town keeper Sheik. Watson provided a solid presence in between the sticks during the game and kept a clean sheet to help Watson’s side secure a play-off final date with Kidderminster Harriers next Saturday afternoon.

However, Watson described the decision and the conversation with Sheik as difficult - but stressed he and his coaching staff felt they had made the right call.

He told The Gazette: “Speaking to Jasper was probably the hardest conversation I’ve had since taking this role on. He was really upset and rightly so because it means everything to him. I see how hard he works, he is an unbelievable professional and I knew how much it would hurt him so it was not a nice conversation because he’s such a brilliant lad. But Tommy has come in and he has been amazing. Even when Jasper has been in, he has supported him and they are both close and they help each other. It was a big call that we all made together and it was the right one. Sometimes you just have to find ways to win games and sometimes that is down to team selection.”

‘I made a decision’

Watson gave an insight into the decision-making process as he revealed Sheik’s recent comeback from a serious shoulder injury had played a significant role in the call. The 21-year-old has made just a handful of appearances after returning from a five-month injury lay-off that had originally threatened to curtail his first season at the 1st Cloud Arena and Watson believes the severity of that injury has been somewhat overlooked.

“I just felt that today was going to be a day when there was going to be a lot put on the goal at times,” he explained. “Jasper has done unbelievably well to get to the point he is now because that injury, I think people underplay what it is because it’s the equivalent of an outfield player doing their cruciate or their Achilles. He came back so soon, it wasn’t suppose to be so soon but to get back to the level is amazing for him. But I just felt today, I was asking too much of him to come back in and stay so consistent with the nerves and things like that. I made a decision, I’ve stuck with it, it has paid off and I just thank Jasper for being so amazing as a person to understand that.”

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