Luke Williams has explained that his decision to leave out Sam Austin was probably the wrong one following Notts County's defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge this evening.
The midfielder starred in the Magpies' 4-0 win over Southend in midweek but was dropped to the bench for the visit of the Daggers, replaced by Jim O'Brien in attacking midfield.
And his absence was felt up until his introduction just shy of the hour-mark, with Notts struggling to bring that attacking energy that we saw in their win over Kevin Maher's side.
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His immediate involvement seemed to inject some life back into his team-mates as they continued to huff and puff without reward, failing to defend another counter-attack following Angelo Balanta's opener, with Inih Effiong smashing the ball in at Sam Slocombe's near post to put a dent in the league leader's title aspirations.
And speaking after the game, Williams was on hand to detail the reasoning behind dropping Austin down to the bench, with concerns of fatigue affecting his decision.
"I felt like as though Sam had used up so much energy in the two performances and his fatigue was showing and I felt like he could come on to the pitch and make a brilliant impact - which he did.
"I was worried that maybe if he started the game he would not be able to affect the game in the same way.
"But after the game on reflection, you feel as though it's the wrong decision, but I have made plenty of decisions this season that many players have come out of the side after a good performance, but sometimes it's going to be wrong and sometimes it's going to be right."
Williams welcome Aaron Nemane back to the starting line-up this evening after struggling in recent weeks with a fatigue-related issue, with the Frenchman putting on another impressive display on his return to the side.
"He got behind the back-line like he usually does, and I think he is the best at that in the league," said Williams on the joy of having Nemane back in his side this evening.
"The timing of his runs and the explosive pace that he has, and he is probably unlucky not to have an assist because he did so well - but he was brilliant tonight."
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