The concept of a best 22 is, in my opinion, no longer particularly relevant.
Of far greater relevance is a best 30 or so, a squad, from which we can select the most appropriate group of players to execute a particular plan against any team on any given day.
With injuries, suspension and the increasingly popular idea of player management, it is exceptionally rare for any side to have their so-called 'best 22' out on the park together - especially for more than one week at a time.
This is the way the game is heading. That's why the notion of depth is one which is now so highly sought after. Those with greater depth are usually thought to be in a better position than those with a better upper echelon of players,
For the first time in a long period, we're in a stage where we can comfortably say that we have some seriously good depth at the club. There are players missing out on a game each and every week that have shown they are capable of contributing at senior level, and who would be able to do so if and when called upon for senior action. And the vast majority of them will at some stage be called up to the senior side to execute a role, be it a large or small one.
For argument's sake, if you had to put down on paper who are the best 22 players at the club, Pauly would probably be on the cusp. As it stands he'd probably sit somewhere in the 16-26 range - not good enough to be considered totally indispensable, but good enough to feature regularly throughout the course of the season.
Of far greater relevance is asking whether or not he has the capability to have a positive impact at senior level on a consistent basis. The answer is, in my opinion, quite clearly yes. That doesn't mean he'll play every game, we've already seen that he won't. At times he'll have to be left out for any of a number of possible reasons - form, injury, suspension, team balance in particular. What is clear, however, is that he will play his fair share of games. I'd say he'll play around 20 games for the year.
Bower is clearly rated by the MC and I really like him as a player. Before injuries almost completely destroyed his career he was developing into a very good footballer, and an important component of our side. He's now coming from a hell of a long way back and whilst he hasn't made it back completely, he's well and truly on the way to re-establishing his career for good. I've got no doubt that Ratts believes in his ability to help the side push for premiership number 18, and I've got no doubt that he'll give Paul every opportunity to prove his worth to those who may have wavered in their support.