MAGPIES’ chief Mark Jermyn is determined for his squad to box clever this season and has been delighted by how they have adapted to different roles.

The Avenue outfit have utilised a number of their players in different positions this term, with an array of players showing superb versatility.

Among others, Nathan Walker has operated at both centre-half and up front at different times. Matt Oldring has embraced roles in central defence, at full-back, and in central midfield during recent weeks.

Jason Brookes has also impressed at right-back since coming into the starting XI and Ben Wood, who has featured in a range of wide areas this term, has shown drive as a lone striker over the last couple of games.

“I think we have dug deep and used the squad as well as we can,” Jermyn told Echosport.

“Everyone knows we don’t have a big squad, so one of the things about the players we have signed and retained is that they can play in numerous positions.

“We haven’t got the funds available to double up in positions but what we do is make sure we get players in who can cover areas.

“Matt Oldring stands out in that, he has gone from centre-half to right-back to centre-midfield and has done extremely well in all three. He has epitomised what we have done with the squad.

“We have also put Ben Wood up top now for the last couple of games and he has so much energy. He can almost take the team with him when he presses.”

He added: “It’s a case of making sure you get the most out of people in their positions.

“We are not just picking names out of a hat and chucking them into positions, we make sure everybody understands their role.”

Jermyn, whose side have a rare Saturday off this weekend, also insists the unity in the squad aids their adaptability.

He added: “The boys really do work very hard for each other.

“By and large, this group look after each other a hell of a lot, not just in football but outside as well. If you get a group together that see each other outside of football, you know they are going to look after each other on the pitch.”

Should he select himself for the Magpies’ clash with St Ives Town at home on Tuesday (7.45pm) Jermyn would bring up 700 appearances for Dorchester.