Stroud and proud! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Stroud and proud!

David Stroud gets a hug of approval from the boss (left) after his starring role in Town's 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Ref: 100005-222DAVID Stroud's arrival on the first team stage is no surprise to Iffy Onuora as the boss warns Town's fellow strugglers 'we're hot on your tail'.

Saturday's 1-1 draw at Huddersfield saw the young midfielder handed his senior debut and the son of former County Ground favourite Kenny, completely justified his manager's faith in him.

Onuora, who felt his team should have toppled the-then joint league leaders, believes Stroud and company are well-placed to start progressing onwards and upwards.

He said: "David Stroud has been doing fantastic.

"I've had the pleasure of seeing him a lot with the kids over the last year or so and I never doubted that he was ready.

"Obviously with a couple of injuries my hand was forced a little bit but I had no problem about chucking him in and he hasn't let anyone down. I think he's been terrific.

"He's a very quick lad, he's left-footed and gives us that balance. And he's just added to my selections problems now.

"You bring him in to do a job and then you think I can't let the kid take a step back now, I want to keep him involved."

Stroud himself is anxious for more after his accomplished bow on the senior stage.

He said: "The best way to play is to go out and play without fear, to go out and express yourself, to enjoy it.

"I have to keep performing, keep playing well and try to keep my place in the team.

"I won't be getting carried away though and if I go back to training with the youth team then I won't be disheartened."

Although Town are now five points adrift at the bottom Onuora is confident that gap will start to narrow.

He said: "We were on our summer holidays a little bit longer than everyone else and given everyone a bit of a head start, that was the problem.

"But performance-wise and the way we've caused problems in the last few games should leave no-one in any doubt that we've got more than enough ability to take us up the league."

Town's point at the Galpharm Stadium saw them into double figures.

Onuora said: "We did speak about that, psychologically to get to double figures is nice. "We're not quite within striking distance of Bristol City and those other clubs above us but we're not far away now and they'll be looking over their shoulders now, seeing we're making progress and that we're hot on their shirt tails."

Not that three league games without defeat has dented the manager's desire to strengthen his squad.

He said: "I'd rather have the selection "problem' of having to leave players out than the other way round where you're down the bare bones. It's a long old season and I'm already mindful of the league games coming up, the cup games and the fact the Christmas period is looming."