The saying goes that actions speak louder than words and for all the vitriol David Hodgson directed at his players following Saturday's draw with Northampton, it was the substitution of substitute Mark Convery that surprised most.

Livewire Convery was a first-half replacement for the injured Craig Hignett, but the ex-Sunderland youngster found himself in the unusual position of playing the majority of the game despite starting and finishing the game in the dug-out.

He struck a disconsolate figure as he trudged off the pitch in the 80th minute, making way for American debutant Adolfo Gregorio.

Convery can consider himself very unfortunate.

He played no worse or better than many of his team-mates who played the full 90 minutes so would be justified in feeling angry following Saturday's public humiliation.

As with his post-match swipe at the rest the team, perhaps Hodgson was employing some of the kidology tactics that have served Sir Alex Ferguson so well - intended at provoking a positive response from a crest-fallen youngster who should now be keen to prove his manager wrong.

Convery hasn't scored this season but has set-up one goal - Ryan Valentine's against Cambridge - but only he was identified in Hodgson's post match assessment and he said: "I had a long talk with Con before the game and, yes the public appreciate his little flicks and clever touches but I asked him where does he influence the game?

"I said 'are you scoring goals?' The answer is no.

"I asked 'are you creating goals, playing that final pass to set-up a goal?' Again the answer is no.

"But Higgy can influence a game, he can score goals as he's proved by getting two in two games.

"He can make the pass that gets us a goal. You take Higgy out of the equation and where do your goals come from?"

Perhaps hinting at the characteristics he feels some of his squad lack, Hodgson had words of praise for Gregorio who wasn't far away from marking his debut with a left-footed goal after cutting in from his position on the right-wing.

His strike sailed past the far post but Hodgson said: "He's a good little player and has a great attitude - a winning mentality which is typical of the Americans, they want to win.

"They want to go out and do everything they can to win and succeed."

Grergorio was on trial at Barnsley who wanted to sign him but their financial position meant they couldn't and Hodgson has been quick to pounce.

"He didn't give the ball away once, he's got the right character and the right attitude," added Hodgson, who has received a blow with the news that defender Joey Hutchinson - sorely missed at the weekend - faces at least a month out with knee ligament damage.

He undergoes a scan on Wednesday to ascertain the exact diagnosis.

Fellow defender David McGurk, on loan at York, made his debut on Saturday in the Minstermen's 0-0 draw against Northwich Victoria.

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