Manager Tom Killick praised stalwart Jamie Whisken after the talismanic centre half played through the pain barrier in Poole’s 5-0 win over Swindon Supermarine.
Whisken had to be replaced early on in Poole’s victory over Dorchester last Monday, making him a doubt to play against Supermarine.
However, the former AFC Bournemouth youngster ended up leading the side out at the Black Gold Stadium.
Speaking to All Poole Aren’t We, Killick explained the decision to play Whisken.
Killick started: “He’s our captain, he’s a big player for us and a big personality for us. When you’ve got that, you are always very reluctant to make a change.
“He’s always prepared to put his body on the line when he’s carrying injuries, he did it again [against Swindon], to great effect.”
Sean Wright came off the bench against Dorchester to fill in at centre-back, playing a near flawless game whilst grabbing Poole’s winner.
Despite that performance, Killick opted to name an unchanged side – which the Poole boss felt was harsh on Wright.
“It was really hard on Sean Wright, who came on against Dorchester,” Killick continued.
“Perhaps some managers would have easily made a call to play Wrighty, and I don’t think that would have been completely the wrong thing to do. I just felt he’s our captain, he’s our leader, we want him out on the pitch.”
Killick also had praise for Dan Bartlett, who grabbed his first goal in Poole colours with a fine strike in the first half.
Bartlett’s strike on the swivel came out of nowhere, turning the game on its head.
“I’ve seen him shooting in training – he nearly knocked out the sub goalkeeper in the warmup today. He’s got just unbelievable power shooting with both feet.
“One of the things we have talked about is trying to get him into shooting areas in open play. He also struck one in the second half that the keeper did well to save.
“We do know he is capable of that, because we do see it. I was looking at the goal, and there was a hell of a lot of bodies in the way – he put in pretty much the only place it could go. It was just a great, great strike.”
Corby Moore is a doubt for Dolphins’ trip up to Metropolitan Police this Saturday, after suffering a thigh strain against Supermarine.
Whisken had been deemed fully fit to start against Met Police.
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