The continuing fall of Ben Hutchison
His transfer from Middlesbrough in January 2008 looked like a shrewd acquisition with Gordon Strachan picking up a 19-year-old striker who had made eight substitute appearances in the Premiership.
While Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald were securing the title Hutchison was being getting used to life at Celtic to compete for a place the following season. It never worked out.
Strachan made a comment about having to use his seventh choice striker in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United with Hutchison going on to have loan spells at Swindon, Dundee and Lincoln before being released by Celtic a year ago and joining Kilmarnock.
In January he was again sent out on loan to Mansfield with the deal made permanent to the Conference side last month.
Hutchinson has been in and out of the Mansfield side in pre-season after falling foul of manager Paul Cox in the opening friendly at Leamington.
“Both (Hutchison and fellow striker Louis Briscoe) were dropped last night as I needed more from them than I got last weekend,” Cox said after the 2-0 win at Hednesford.
“I hope this is the kick up the backside that jolts them as both are excellent footballers.
“Standards have to be raised here and I won’t put up with people wanting to stroll through matches. If this means upsetting footballers then so be it.
“I have spat my dummy out a bit with them as it’s my job to get players into the best possible form.
“At Hednesford I thought both sets of forwards showed me what was needed and raised the bar but the door is open for Ben and Louis- it’s up to them.”
On Wednesday night Mansfield beat Derby 2-1 at home without Hutchison, Briscoe appeared as a 75th minute substitute.
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