Wasn't Butler-Fleming on Ryan's side (and Lee Smith in previous games)?

Yeah you're right he was
I think my point is that our centre/wing partnerships aren't proving very fruitful so far this season.

He looked far from match fit to me.

The new guy looked like exactly that. I expect an improvement when he's settled in.

The main reason I'd like to see Oakes back.

I like Oakes and he's a great "winger's centre" but his defence is a weakness and is the reason he's been left out thus far.

Meanwhile JBF looked fairly solid in defence but offered little attacking threat. Think this is the Kear influence which Vila alluded to in the Southbank before the game (said Kear didn't mind handing the ball to the other team and challenging them to break through us).

I'd like to see Oakes get a game versus Oldham to see where he is, but can't see it happening. Think its much more likely that Smith will be back in for Gibson.

There's more evidence to that too when after one of the friendlies (think it was one of the ones we scored nil in), Kear pretty much said they hadn't spent any time in training working on attack since he got there, it had all been defence.

To be fair, it's exactly what the squad needed. The Bulls defence has been bang average at best for far too long. It may not make for fancy and entertaining games, but it's a lot less frustrating to watch.

We scrambled very well at times on Sunday. I thought JBF did well catching that kick well above his head on one occasion but he never got given the ball in space. To be fair Chisholm threw it 5 yards behind him a couple of times. I'd persevere with him over Smith has Smith offers nothing in defence. I feel a bit for Ethan Ryan who hasn't had a decent pass in weeks.

I'd bring Oakes back versus weaker opposition than Oldham IMO.

Agree about Oakes, his defence is his weak point. The good thing is that Kear is a good defensive coach - as proved by the team's general displays so far this season, and I'm sure he will improve on that. The good thing is we have the reserve side to brush up and test out his improvement. The downside is that they get few games in the great scheme of things. However, as said, there are quite a few 'weaker' sides in division 3.

Hint from today's 3 Bulls in a bar that he might be here for longer than originally announced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsRN-BLt_pw Comment around 3:25 mark

Hint from today's 3 Bulls in a bar that he might be here for longer than originally announced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsRN-BLt_pw Comment around 3:25 mark