Reserves' run out
American defender Cory Gibbs came through 90 minutes as a Charlton XI suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Ipswich Town on Wednesday afternoon.
Match action was the order of the day in Suffolk, and the United States international was one of a clutch of Addicks players getting some vital minutes under their belts at Town's Playford Road training ground.
Osei Sankofa partnered Gibbs in the centre of defence in a side comprising fringe first teamers and youngsters, with Dean Sinclair, Therry Racon, Martin Christensen and Harry Arter getting outings.
Goalkeeper Darren Randolph also took his place between the posts, despite only arriving back from acting as back-up to Nicky Weaver at Hull City in the early hours of the morning.
In the end, a first-half goal from Ipswich's Dean Bowditch separated the sides, but the result was largely irrelevant for reserve-team coach Mark Kinsella.
"We haven't had a game for a while so this game, like the friendly with Bristol City a fortnight back, was for players to maintain their match fitness," he said.
"If you go so many weeks without a game you can get a bit ring rusty, so this was something to keep us ticking over and proved to be a good workout against a very energetic Ipswich side."
With the next reserve match against Brighton & Hove Albion not until October 15th, the fixture gave Kinsella the chance to run the rule over a series of players.
He added: "Cory did okay. It was a good workout for him, and we'll obviously see how he reacts in the days after the game, while both Osei and Dean also did well."
Assessing the game, the coach continued: "We were a little bit slow out of the blocks, and they scored from a corner where we were a bit sloppy.
"In the second half we were almost a different side, with a better tempo and attitude and greater movement and passing.
"We restricted Ipswich to only a few chances, and we went close through a great header from Therry and substitute Rashid Yussuff broke in the box and shot inches wide.
"We played a lot better and came out with quite a lot of plus points."
Charlton: Randolph; Saunders, A Thomas, Sankofa, Gibbs; Christensen, Sinclair, Racon, Arter (Yussuff), Uchechi (Harkin), Wagstaff.
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Comments
Reality: " Cory was absolute shite"
And let them score from a corner - sounds like he fits the bill perfectly to take over in the first team's central defence...
Did you say Cory Gibbs?
Who the Feck is Cory Gibbs is one of our players?
God you two are harsh. Bet you didn't even go to the game but having a go at a great prospect. Clearly it was Sankofa's fault for the goal and Cory is more of a full back in any case. : - )
exactly.
coach speak: you're doing great, you just need to add a little more bite
reality: for fcuk sake, get stuck in you flaming pansy
I think this is worthy of it's own thread Smudge......
Coach speak :Try running the channel's more put pressure on their full backs
reality: you have not run about at all & I am taking you off 5 mins after half time.
I was going to ask for help with my son's Rommerdahl style tackling but I don't think I'll bother now ; - )
"All we are saying is give Gibbs a chance"
Last time I played competitively I thin I did a 'Dicko special' about 10 minutes before half time through blowing out of my arse!!
Think it a mental thing. He can tackle and run OK and is technically as good as most of his team but he'll run AWAY from the ball and take up a position away from the line of the between the ball and goal to avoid getting hurt I think. Just need to switch a fuse in his head or something. Maybe it will come to him when he's older.
Are you talking about Gibbs there, Henry?? >>;;
Hope so as he gets left on the bench when he could be playing but as you say it will come. Trying to give him some positve feedback AFKA style.
At that age is important just to simply encourage and be assured that he is actually getting involved because he wants to, not because his dad wants him to, or the other boys in the class play.
Sounds as if he is quite a shy lad, if so whoever is his coach should of picked up on this and sctructured things a bit more personally to put him at ease. Training / practice in his instance should be centred around building his confidence up. Not by lying, or false praise, but by getting him doing something he is comfortable with and then highlighting him for doing well at that. Then gradually changing what he is doing by making a little more advanced. If he struggles with that, don't make him continue with it, take it back to a lower level until he has mastered that and feels confident again.
Never highlight mistakes, or what he is not good at in front of others, and never give open criticism. If he is shying away from the physical side, don't worry about it at all if he is the age i think he is (about 10 ?). That is way down the list of priorities. Try getting him to concentrate on his first and second touch (getting it out of his feet), and to play with his head up and know when to release the ball. Everything else will fall into place after that, but the most important thing is to make sure he is enjoying it, and doesn't feel under any pressure to do well.
A good idea is to use his role models as examples. Not the intricate stuff, simply if you see Reidy play a simple ball as someone closes him down. Try get him thinking about not what players have done, but why they did it, and discuss things through with him. If kids develop a football brain from a young age, its a fantastic advantage and greatly assists their own development.
He's nearly 9 so plenty of time. What's frustrating is that the techical side of his game is good. Good touch, can trap pass, plays with his head up, looks for a pass (maybe too much as doesn't run with it)
He does enjoy it or I won't take him. He loves being part of a team and going to training so it's not a pushy dad trying to live out his dreams thru his son. He's already a better player than I ever was.
He just moved to another team and I'm impressed the new coach who has picked up on his makeup and what he's good and not so good at so I'm hopeful.
Well thats all duely noted Gaffer! I'll know exactly what you think next time you tell me "I've played OK!" or "The finishing will come just keep trying...ie...FFS James You couldn't finish your fu**ing dinner could you please beat the keeper with a shot this century!" Nothings gonna escape me now!