Academy

[Celestial Empire]

When we play U23s, with senior players, it always seems to disrupt the team-play. But that's what it's supposed to be about - bringing players on.
Eze came through without mishap, apparently, which is a big step towards his recovery.
I thought both Clyne and Kelly played well, especially Clyne, who was heavily involved. At one point, O'Brien was chasing back, when Clyne, starting from 2m behind, just sprinted past with ease - good work-out for Clyne, no need to worry overmuch if we need to bring him on.
Blackburn looked like a good squad of Champs/Div 1 players who have played together for a while. They had a well-drilled press, "robust" tackling, and played on the counter.
Our mixture of senior players, young guns, and a few not-quite-up-to-this-level players, were suckered.

[Steve in Phoenix]

Originally Posted by red&blue_moomin

Suspect Omilabu is going to need another growth spurt/time in the gym to get used to the higher age bracket. Think he's found it harder after the step up. He's still only 18 right?

Not only that, he's playing exclusively wide now whereas in U18's he was the main man most of the time. But playing wide is likely to be where he gets a chance at senior level so it's essential for him to improve there.

[Havel]

It was brilliant, they had no clue they were live, not the sharpest tools. I heard then telling someone the boss was raving about their work yesterday.

[Johnsonpen]

Whitworth sounded pretty decent as our keeper. Would be great to get a centre back (o’Brien) and keeper into the squad in the next year or so. Read that both Wilf and olise attended, assume to support Eze?

[dave_who_ru]

I note that Blackburn head the under 18s North table so maybe as a club they are starting to progress again.

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by Johnsonpen

Whitworth sounded pretty decent as our keeper. Would be great to get a centre back (o’Brien) and keeper into the squad in the next year or so. Read that both Wilf and olise attended, assume to support Eze?

Jules was there too.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by Johnsonpen

Whitworth sounded pretty decent as our keeper. Would be great to get a centre back (o’Brien) and keeper into the squad in the next year or so. Read that both Wilf and olise attended, assume to support Eze?

I dont think the 2 main CBs at this level will make it at PL level unless i am missing something, O'Brien and Jay Bacholeu(sp?) are both hard working honest type players but they lack the composure and concentration to move up to the first team at PL level. Some of the other players have a little something about them, but imho the CBs don't.

[Sp1Eagle]

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by AJ

I dont think the 2 main CBs at this level will make it at PL level unless i am missing something, O'Brien and Jay Bacholeu(sp?) are both hard working honest type players but they lack the composure and concentration to move up to the first team at PL level. Some of the other players have a little something about them, but imho the CBs don't.

I doubt it either.

JRB is almost a year older than Guehi. O'Brien has more time to develop but I think he's still unlikely to make it at PL level.

[Wright+Bright]

O’Brien seems to have gone backwards this season. He has some fantastic attributes.

[PemboExpress]

Great to see Eze back today. A couple of nice gliding runs and looked comfortable in his first outing. He probably should have scored 1st half, but good to see him come through unscathed.

Disappointing result and could have been 3-0 down in very quick time 2nd half. Poor 1st goal to concede.

Thought Whitworth was excellent again (Guaita could learn from his distribution), Clyne looked very good and Rak-Sakyi again showed his quality.

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by Wright+Bright

O’Brien seems to have gone backwards this season. He has some fantastic attributes.

Playing at a higher level.

It may be a factor for Hannam as well.

I think that's why staying in the top division is important. Still a big jump to PL but you get you want your 23s playing at the highest level they can to get a better idea of how good they are.

[Stinger1]

Originally Posted by Eddie McGoldrick's tash

Playing at a higher level.

It may be a factor for Hannam as well.

I think that's why staying in the top division is important. Still a big jump to PL but you get you want your 23s playing at the highest level they can to get a better idea of how good they are.

I definitely think the step up has made the difference.

I would put Malachi Boateng in the group that's struggled with the step up. Thought he was really poor today.

[Scoot]

Originally Posted by Wright+Bright

O’Brien seems to have gone backwards this season. He has some fantastic attributes.

Would like him to start looking for the forward pass. Seems to go back to keeper an awful lot

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Nice to be able to watch a game live for once.

Clyne looked excellent and linked up with Rak Sakyi, who was missing the final ball from what I saw. Great goalkeeping for both sides, Blackburn impressed.

Another day and Palace wouldve won that by 3 or 4.

[Eddie McGoldrick's tash]

Originally Posted by Maidstoned Eagle

Nice to be able to watch a game live for once.

Clyne looked excellent and linked up with Rak Sakyi, who was missing the final ball from what I saw. Great goalkeeping for both sides, Blackburn impressed.

Another day and Palace wouldve won that by 3 or 4.

Rak Sakyi found an excellent final ball for the goal.

He continually looks good in an attacking sense for the 23s, I just wonder if he will néed to work on his defensive skills. He should have probably stopped the cross for their winner.

I think that part of his game - and the current 1st team options - may be the reason he will stay in the 23s for the majority, if not all, of this season.

[ee-ay-ee-ay-ee-ay-o]

Originally Posted by AJ

I dont think the 2 main CBs at this level will make it at PL level unless i am missing something, O'Brien and Jay Bacholeu(sp?) are both hard working honest type players but they lack the composure and concentration to move up to the first team at PL level. Some of the other players have a little something about them, but imho the CBs don't.

Been saying this for a long time. JRB I'm afraid isn't good enough. Sam Woods was better than him and coming from me that's praise indeed - for Woods.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by PemboExpress

Thought Whitworth was excellent again (Guaita could learn from his distribution)

To put this in perspective he is 17 which is very young for a goalkeeper, it would be the equivalent of about 15 for an outfield player. He has saved 4 or 5 penalties already this season.

[Wright+Bright]

Originally Posted by AJ

To put this in perspective he is 17 which is very young for a goalkeeper, it would be the equivalent of about 15 for an outfield player. He has saved 4 or 5 penalties already this season.

He is such an exciting prospect!!

[Celestial Empire]

Originally Posted by Wright+Bright

O’Brien seems to have gone backwards this season. He has some fantastic attributes.

Ha-ha, much too early to decide, give him time.
We also have Cardo Siddik as a prospect, and even Jack Wells-Morrison might eventually morph into a "cultured centre-back" like Southgate (midfielder to centre-back).