FORGET the credit crunch, it could also be crunch time for Joe Partington as the talented youngster bids to make his name with Cherries.

The central midfielder, who earned his first pro contract during the summer, has seen his chances limited this season and is yet to make a big impact on the senior side.

But Joe Roach, head of youth and reserve team boss at the League Two club, is a big admirer of Partington’s talents and he believes the teenager has a role to play, as does Cherries manager Jimmy Quinn.

“He’s a good stature, decent on the ball and he can break up the play – he’s quite tenacious,” said Roach, describing the Wales under-19s captain’s attributes.

“If anything, he needs a break. It’s a big season for him this season and hopefully he gets the opportunity to show his worth.

“He can do this in reserve games as well, as proved by Carl Preston (the rookie winger called into the first-team squad this weekend).

“If players show the right application and attitude, Jimmy will give them a chance.”

Boss Quinn thinks Partington has the ability to force his way into the reckoning.

“I like Joe,” said Quinn. “I had a call a couple of weeks ago from Brian Flynn (Wales under-21s and 19s coach) who was signing his praises because Joe captains the under-19s and he scored when he was away.

“Brian said he did absolutely terrific.

“I’m all for bringing young lads through and giving them a chance. Joe will certainly figure.”

The retirement of club captain Darren Anderton means there is one less experienced player ahead of Partington in the pecking order.

Roach said: “I suppose with the unfortunate decision Darren made, it opens up the field in the middle of the pitch.

“There is competition there, but maybe it is not as prominent as it would have been with Darren in the fold.

“That’s a positive for Joe. I said before, every time I’ve seen him play at a higher level he’s done very well.”

Roach added: “Last year he came in and probably didn’t do himself enough justice and he was trying to do other people’s jobs a bit.

“But I spoke to Brian Flynn just after Joe came back from Turkey and he didn’t have high enough praise for the boy.”

The former Pompey prospect is highly thought of within the Welsh youth set-up and he scored for the under-19s, a team he captains, against Romania last month.