MANAGER John Snape reiterated his faith in Marmite winger James Baldwin after Pershore Town sought to permanently secure the playmaker’s services.

The 22-year-old divides opinion among City’s fanbase with his trickery wowing some but underwhelming others.

Baldwin found himself out of the starting XI just after Christmas and featured for Pershore on dual-registration terms when City had a blank Saturday on January 5.

Town boss Les Jones spoke of his admiration for the enigmatic ace who plundered one goal and set up another in that one-off appearance that saw him return to his parent club with an ankle problem.

Baldwin has been sidelined ever since with Pershore still keen to bolster their ranks in the push for West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division survival.

But Snape was quick to hold talks with a player who he believes has “won games on his own” for City this season.

“Pershore wanted him on a permanent basis but I have spoken with James and feel confident he will be with us until at least the end of the season, if not beyond that,” said Snape.

“The thing with James is that he wants to play. When he comes back from injury Pershore may be ideal for him to get minutes because he has not played for a while now but he definitely remains a massive part of my current plans.

“He has come on leaps and bounds since last season after getting himself fitter in the summer and has doubled his game time.

“I think it would be fair to say he has won games for us on his own at times this season, his offensive play is something special.

“The one thing that lets him down is that cutting edge, scoring enough goals and producing that final ball from the openings and opportunities he makes.

“A lot of players have to develop that. One that springs to mind is Chekaine Steele, his career took off once he found more consistency to go with that ability that James shares in being able to go past people.

“James has a turn of pace without being electric but when you put that together with his level of skill there is a lot of be excited about.

“He can be a crowd pleaser or a villain. The more often he is a crowd pleaser, the more games we will win.”

Having signed for his hometown club in the summer of 2017, Baldwin made 16 starts and 26 substitute appearances last season, providing seven goals.

He has been a regular this term, starting 20 matches and appearing from the bench nine times with a return of six goals to date.