Viewfinder, for the first time ever, I agree with every word you said.
Hurrah! I hadn't been to Bromley's little ground for a couple of years, since when it has been renamed The Fortress Stadium. A new, taller fence has been erected at the back of the east terrace - to deter the marauding armies from Petts Wood and Locks Bottom.
Was a good day and a great opportunity to see some of the youngsters. I thought Harry Osbourne looked like a good player (he seemed to alternate between right and left back). Umerah was busy upfront and created a couple of chances which was difficult against Bromleys towering centre backs, his finishing let him down a couple of times but he has the perfect coach to help him with that.
The trialist Stephane Valcy's agent spoke to us before and after the game and apparently we're interested in signing him (I guess an agent would say that) but I wasn't too sure, but I've only seen him play 45 mins.
Well, it was easy to see why none of the players on show yesterday have been all that busy in the pre-season to be honest. Muldoon looked decent when he came on, otherwise they really didn't look very effective or dangerous at all - if we end up putting these kids on the bench at any point next season it will either because we are A) guaranteed 100% safety or Completely up the creek, lost the paddles and sprung a leak besides.
Their very young, none of them are realistic first 11 competition anyway, but none of them struck me as being the next Cousins or Poyet. Sometimes you see a youth side and you see a kid you think is going places... the rest of the time, you get a game like yesterdays. A shame but there we go.
Where were Holmes-Dennis and Archie Edwards? They are surely the next 2 to make the step up. Oddly the match report says TD-H was involved in our goal, even though he was not on the team sheet or the bench. I really rate him anyway, but that is impressive.
Where were Holmes-Dennis and Archie Edwards? They are surely the next 2 to make the step up. Oddly the match report says TD-H was involved in our goal, even though he was not on the team sheet or the bench. I really rate him anyway, but that is impressive.
Holmes-Dennis was on the bench and then came on.
Archie Edwards was in Belgium (visiting WW1 sites rather than signing for Standard before the rumours begin).
Viewfinder had a moan about no physical presence but it was a young team playing a men's team. The U21 team was also missing a number of eligible players such as Pigott, Cousins, Ansah, Gomez, Fox and Lennon who have already moved up to the first team squad.
So it is understandable that those left were less physically strong especially v a big Bromley side.
Where were Holmes-Dennis and Archie Edwards? They are surely the next 2 to make the step up. Oddly the match report says TD-H was involved in our goal, even though he was not on the team sheet or the bench. I really rate him anyway, but that is impressive.
Holmes-Dennis was on the bench and then came on.
Archie Edwards was in Belgium (visiting WW1 sites rather than signing for Standard before the rumours begin).
Viewfinder had a moan about no physical presence but it was a young team playing a men's team. The U21 team was also missing a number of eligible players such as Pigott, Cousins, Ansah, Gomez, Fox and Lennon who have already moved up to the first team squad.
So it is understandable that those left were less physically strong especially v a big Bromley side.
I don't think Jack Munns is going to grow any more, do you? He had a particularly bad game: misplacing passes, getting knocked off the ball, and planting a free-kick from five yards outside the box well wide.
The others aren't going to grow in stature, either. They all have a roughly similar physique. But Oliver Muldoon impressed me again with his technique and vision; he scored several goals in U-21 pre-season friendlies last year.
I always enjoy a trip to Bromley. And near Bromley North station there's an interesting enclave of old terraced streets with a pub on every other corner.
Viewfinder - we see things completely different. Munns was the best footballer on the pitch and will have a career. Muldoon the most exciting. Osbourne the most to develop and a good path at Charlton to achieve it - in the right back position.
Only watched the highlights but thought Munns looked decent. Always looking for the ball and trying to move it forwards.
He looked good on the ball yes, but his size really will count against him in a league like the Championship - you get players like Solly or Chris Perry whose relative lack of stature is deceptive, but I don't see any evidence Munns is one of them. It's a shame, and I think perhaps the coaching team will persevere as there is obvious potential there - perhaps if there's still time he could be converted to a wider role where physical strength is not quite as essential as it is in the middle of the pitch.
Munns won't grow but the others might. Some are still teenagers and as Poyet proved looks can be deceptive regarding strength.
It's branded as Bromley Village. Nice but it's not Bickley ; - )
Its origins are far too working-class to be compared with the refined air of Bickley... With its pattern of narrow terraced streets connected by alleys it reminds me of parts of Greenwich. Who were the terraces built for? - A chap outside the Red Lion said farm workers, but this seems a bit unlikely.
Comments
I had a cracking afternoon but should probably have saved myself the £10 entry fee.
The trialist Stephane Valcy's agent spoke to us before and after the game and apparently we're interested in signing him (I guess an agent would say that) but I wasn't too sure, but I've only seen him play 45 mins.
Their very young, none of them are realistic first 11 competition anyway, but none of them struck me as being the next Cousins or Poyet. Sometimes you see a youth side and you see a kid you think is going places... the rest of the time, you get a game like yesterdays. A shame but there we go.
Archie Edwards was in Belgium (visiting WW1 sites rather than signing for Standard before the rumours begin).
Viewfinder had a moan about no physical presence but it was a young team playing a men's team. The U21 team was also missing a number of eligible players such as Pigott, Cousins, Ansah, Gomez, Fox and Lennon who have already moved up to the first team squad.
So it is understandable that those left were less physically strong especially v a big Bromley side.
The others aren't going to grow in stature, either. They all have a roughly similar physique. But Oliver Muldoon impressed me again with his technique and vision; he scored several goals in U-21 pre-season friendlies last year.
I always enjoy a trip to Bromley. And near Bromley North station there's an interesting enclave of old terraced streets with a pub on every other corner.
It's branded as Bromley Village. Nice but it's not Bickley ; - )