Should have at least drawn that given all the chances we had but we didnt take them.
Look disjointed with all the changes.
Good game time for the first teamers but other than Edun's goal would have been hard to pick them out from the kids. Campbell certainly no worse than the senior players on show and he's only 20.
A few fans rumoured to have sneaked in somehow to watch it live.
Having watched a few U21 games online this season, I can't get over the thought that this is only one step away from first team football as none of the team today would be challenging the present first team in my opinion. Surely this is a comment on the value of U21 football compared to the old reserve team football. At least reserve team football was nearer the physical and skill level of the first team, while it eased the youngsters into competitive football. Now the step up is too high, even though we are only playing at the third tier level. We have an obsession with players from the academy but this reliance has lead to young players being overplayed in the first team to their detriment and future careers. Whilst, of course, the academy does a great job up to the U21s, I think the first team was served better when squad and players returning from injury could prove themselves in the reserves before getting back into the first team.
Tend to agree about the old Football Combination and how players tended to get utilised. It was that and the ‘Youth team’ back in the day. I once went to St Albans to see if we could beat Tottenham to win the Combination Championship (we didn’t, but it was a fun evening).
Who is the CAFC number 9? Not seen that name before.
I may be wrong but vaguely remember he has had a bad injury run before signing his professional contract. I wondered at the time if him signing up was due to talent or duty of care to a young pro recovering from injury. He has been with us since 10yrs old. Hope he makes it.
Here’s how our U21s line up against Fleetwood Town U21s in this afternoon’s PDL2 fixture: Adegoke; Dench, Toure, Bakrin, Enslin; Gough (c), Huke, Santos; Ladapo, Casey, Fullah
Subs: Sadler, Okwumo, Brown, Danso, Safa
72’ GOALLLLLLLL | RYAN HUKE ADDS A FOURTH Outstanding from Tolu Ladapo once again as he takes it past a number of players, squaring for Huke to tap in from close range.
Comments
If he was required to start 20+ games next year, given the way this season has gone for him, then I’d agree with you.
But he had a highly promising first season IMO and is worth persevering with
Look disjointed with all the changes.
Good game time for the first teamers but other than Edun's goal would have been hard to pick them out from the kids. Campbell certainly no worse than the senior players on show and he's only 20.
A few fans rumoured to have sneaked in somehow to watch it live.
We have an obsession with players from the academy but this reliance has lead to young players being overplayed in the first team to their detriment and future careers.
Whilst, of course, the academy does a great job up to the U21s, I think the first team was served better when squad and players returning from injury could prove themselves in the reserves before getting back into the first team.
It was that and the ‘Youth team’ back in the day.
I once went to St Albans to see if we could beat Tottenham to win the Combination Championship (we didn’t, but it was a fun evening).
I may be wrong but vaguely remember he has had a bad injury run before signing his professional contract. I wondered at the time if him signing up was due to talent or duty of care to a young pro recovering from injury. He has been with us since 10yrs old. Hope he makes it.