Johnson – Lawrence Needed Glovers Move

Tom Lawrence was in need of some time with a SkyBet Championship side and fortunately for The Glovers we were the side that were able to secure him on loan from Manchester United.

Manchester United came to us, after an interest had been shown, and asked Gary Johnson if he would be able to offer the 20 year old the platform that his development required and he’s told The Western Gazette that he was happy to do that.

Lawrence, much like many of our young loan players, was a ‘calculated risk’ but Johnson knows this is something we’ve got to do at times as attracting players that are ‘ready made’ for SkyBet Championship level isn’t always going to be easy for us.

‘It was the same as Shane Duffy, John Lundstram or Joe Ralls, where we had to take the chance.

‘We’re not getting ready-made Championship players, it’s impossible. We have to take a chance sometimes in getting these players and working with them.

‘All of those lads are here until the end of the season. When you’re taking a chance you can’t get them all right and so obviously the ones that didn’t work out we didn’t keep very long.

‘The judgement with most has been good and certainly the group that we have been left with are doing a job in the Championship.’

He’d done well with Carlisle but needed to move up from SkyBet League 1 level to our level with it made clear to Johnson that the Premier League giants knew the Welshman needed this step up and Johnson was happy to oblige.

Johnson believes that his international call up by Wales at U21 level is something he deserved, with him also on stand by for the senior squad, as Lawrence has continued with his eye catching performances from his time with Carlisle previously with us since he arrived at Huish Park.

Long may we continue to reap the benefits of Lawrence’s talent, it’s just a shame it isn’t going to be longer than three months.