Luton v WBA
Oct 5, 2016 9:44:06 GMT
Post by Wimbo on Oct 5, 2016 9:44:06 GMT
my match notes as on the whittler site:
Probably a briefer set of match notes than usual for this unpopular competition but although I say briefer, lord knows what will happen once I start whittling away as I just enjoyed the evening so much; anyway, let’s see where how we go with a couple of notes.
Dither, dither, should I go or should I stay, yes it certainly was a clash between political morals and the wish to watch the young stars of the future, something I enjoy so much. Anyway, with a friend from London calling to tell me to say he was going, my watch the youngster's argument was in complete control; job done, no more clash! After all, I used to drive down to see all of the FAT games when we were in the Conference, “go on young man, give it a go”! So it was off to Luton, a pleasant meal and a couple of beers with friends and off to the Kenny. What a quiet walk it was up Hazelbury Crescent and when we reached the ground one of the ground staff predicted an attendance of about 800; well as it turned out the gate was 1441.
Well I am so glad I went to witness a superb display from our oh so talented youngsters against a WBA EFL side that contained a number of players with considerable experience: Swedish international Jonas Olsson, Callum McManaman, Craig Gardner and Wales keeper Boaz Myhill and. of course some development players from the excellent West Brom development set up. Nathan, never been one to tinker, only made eleven changes from the starting eleven fielded at Cheltenham.
The pleasing fact is that our young players on the night were simply better than the team of expensive players and WBA. Within this side we have what must surely be next season's centre back pairing of the ever so cool Musonda and his left-footed centre back partner Famewo; these guys are young, already outstanding at this level and will only get better and better. Believe me, we are so very fortunate to have our equivalent of the Manchester united class of 92; yes it’s not Beckman, Scholes, Butt and the Nevills but it’s the class of 2016 in today’s real world of the lower regions of the football league. Nathan must be totally delighted to have such a talented batch of youngsters knocking on the door for a first team place. From our class of 2016, let’s call it the class of 16, we already have the excellent Justin, who did not play last night, and Famewo having this season made the starting eleven debuts for the first team in the first team.
One of the most exciting parts for me about last night's game was to see how comfortable the youngsters were in “one touch” passing the ball between each other; Musonda and Famewo obviously know each others game so well and the cover for each other just brilliantly having been brought up through the ranks together. On one of the rare moments that Famewo was beaten, there behind him was the super Frankie to make a superbly timed saving tackle; excellent stuff.
On the left, at full back, we had a first game for Jack Senior and I think many were impressed by his all round game. On the flimsy evidence of one game, I would say that Nathan has found a wing back capable of delivering quality crosses and supporting the attack. Senior seems to be a good tackler and definitely one for now rather than the future and so he should be as he is pushing on in years, almost 20 I understand. Early days, but would the combination of Justin and Senior as full backs give Jones what he needs in his favoured diamond position? Sadly as much as I like Dan Pott’s defensive qualities he simply is not a wing back at the moment and I have doubts if he will ever get there but he himself is only a young chap and may eventually do it.
Our keeper Craig King, probably not as tall as the Truro Giant Walton, but nevertheless built like a brick shithouse, as they say, had his confidence boosted in the first half saving a penalty that I thought was rather harshly awarded by the referee; great for him well done Craig. The Referee was, in fact, a touch fussy but no moans from me as he was consistent for both sides; yes, don’t be mean, he was ok.
Moving away from the defenders, we used a tactic that we did not use at Cheltenham, we used our midfield and how very well we used them. Jake Gray was involved in most things, Gilliead constantly probing with his close ball control and long range shooting, Bakinson showing us how a ball-playing holding midfielder should really play, mind you having 5ft long legs is a distinct advantage when it comes to winning the ball. Finally, in the midfield group, we had the reliable old man Smith who miraculously managed to drag his very senior ageing body around the pitch and keep up with the youngsters for the full 90 minutes.
Up front, the experience McQuoid did his stuff and mad one or two excellent passes. We also had the “I am going to show I have grown up” Zane Banton. I thought that Banton had a really excellent game with his pace and tight close ball control. Banton should have had his name on the score sheet but a shot from him hit the post after receiving a great pass from SOD; that did not make Banton’s head drop and he continued his fine display; a really fine game from Banton.
The goals; yes, two very well worked goals that were both nice strikes, one each from Gilliead and Gray, another couple of youngsters. By the way, what a lovely player the on-loan Gilliead is to watch; just a delight: it would be lovely to keep him with us.
A final thought: projecting forwards a year or two, I feel we will have a very, very good and valuable side with so many young riches in the team. Overall a super night’s football and politics aside, I am so glad I went along.
As ever, a few thoughts on individual performances:
King: good handling, good kicking and a very decent penalty save. He has really filled out since I last saw him; now I can start to understand why NJ took Walton on a year's loan; based on what I have seen, King could be our keeper next season. The only downside this evening was that he was not tested at crosses but maybe I am a touch greedy.
O’Donnell: looked good going forward and any crosses were not over-hit: there is hope!
Musonda: elegant game: calm, composed, classy; he seems to have so much self-belief for such a young man.
Famewo: He had a very good game indeed. I have now seen Famewo play quite a few times and he really impresses me. Just simply a question on when will this 17-year-old be one of the first names on the team sheet
Senior: had a good game defending and also looked to be a decent wing back with some excellent forward running overlaps: yippee, Nathan may have a left back that will actually flourish in his preferred diamond formation.
Bakinson: hope you were watching Olly Lee, this is how a quality passing holding midfield player plays. His long legs made some super timely tackles and when he passes the ball he actually finds a teammate.
Gray: as ever, Gray really works hard in every area of the pitch and is very decent going forward: I rate the guy.
Smith: gave us his usual fully committed Smith performance, encouraged the youngsters and played like a captain.
Gilliead: Short report to Newcastle’s Mike Ashley: “although we have tried to bring out the best in him we just don’t feel he will make the grade. Rather than the cost of sending him back Mr Ashley, would you like us to dispose of him? In return, we can send you back our collection of 100 grotesque Sports Direct mugs”.
Now the truth: what a bloody good player he is, great game with some super shots from range but don’t tell Mike Ashley.
Banton: excellent game and given that awful MOM stuff: I don't kike the concept on MOM. He had a very good game and has really earned a place on the bench this Saturday.
McQuoid: passed the ball well and did all that was asked of him; a good experienced man to aid this young team.
The Subs:
Vassell; gave us just what you would expect, bags of pace but desperately needs a goal to his name
Hinds and Snelus: great to see them get their first team appearances but not enough minutes to make a meaningful comment.
Probably a briefer set of match notes than usual for this unpopular competition but although I say briefer, lord knows what will happen once I start whittling away as I just enjoyed the evening so much; anyway, let’s see where how we go with a couple of notes.
Dither, dither, should I go or should I stay, yes it certainly was a clash between political morals and the wish to watch the young stars of the future, something I enjoy so much. Anyway, with a friend from London calling to tell me to say he was going, my watch the youngster's argument was in complete control; job done, no more clash! After all, I used to drive down to see all of the FAT games when we were in the Conference, “go on young man, give it a go”! So it was off to Luton, a pleasant meal and a couple of beers with friends and off to the Kenny. What a quiet walk it was up Hazelbury Crescent and when we reached the ground one of the ground staff predicted an attendance of about 800; well as it turned out the gate was 1441.
Well I am so glad I went to witness a superb display from our oh so talented youngsters against a WBA EFL side that contained a number of players with considerable experience: Swedish international Jonas Olsson, Callum McManaman, Craig Gardner and Wales keeper Boaz Myhill and. of course some development players from the excellent West Brom development set up. Nathan, never been one to tinker, only made eleven changes from the starting eleven fielded at Cheltenham.
The pleasing fact is that our young players on the night were simply better than the team of expensive players and WBA. Within this side we have what must surely be next season's centre back pairing of the ever so cool Musonda and his left-footed centre back partner Famewo; these guys are young, already outstanding at this level and will only get better and better. Believe me, we are so very fortunate to have our equivalent of the Manchester united class of 92; yes it’s not Beckman, Scholes, Butt and the Nevills but it’s the class of 2016 in today’s real world of the lower regions of the football league. Nathan must be totally delighted to have such a talented batch of youngsters knocking on the door for a first team place. From our class of 2016, let’s call it the class of 16, we already have the excellent Justin, who did not play last night, and Famewo having this season made the starting eleven debuts for the first team in the first team.
One of the most exciting parts for me about last night's game was to see how comfortable the youngsters were in “one touch” passing the ball between each other; Musonda and Famewo obviously know each others game so well and the cover for each other just brilliantly having been brought up through the ranks together. On one of the rare moments that Famewo was beaten, there behind him was the super Frankie to make a superbly timed saving tackle; excellent stuff.
On the left, at full back, we had a first game for Jack Senior and I think many were impressed by his all round game. On the flimsy evidence of one game, I would say that Nathan has found a wing back capable of delivering quality crosses and supporting the attack. Senior seems to be a good tackler and definitely one for now rather than the future and so he should be as he is pushing on in years, almost 20 I understand. Early days, but would the combination of Justin and Senior as full backs give Jones what he needs in his favoured diamond position? Sadly as much as I like Dan Pott’s defensive qualities he simply is not a wing back at the moment and I have doubts if he will ever get there but he himself is only a young chap and may eventually do it.
Our keeper Craig King, probably not as tall as the Truro Giant Walton, but nevertheless built like a brick shithouse, as they say, had his confidence boosted in the first half saving a penalty that I thought was rather harshly awarded by the referee; great for him well done Craig. The Referee was, in fact, a touch fussy but no moans from me as he was consistent for both sides; yes, don’t be mean, he was ok.
Moving away from the defenders, we used a tactic that we did not use at Cheltenham, we used our midfield and how very well we used them. Jake Gray was involved in most things, Gilliead constantly probing with his close ball control and long range shooting, Bakinson showing us how a ball-playing holding midfielder should really play, mind you having 5ft long legs is a distinct advantage when it comes to winning the ball. Finally, in the midfield group, we had the reliable old man Smith who miraculously managed to drag his very senior ageing body around the pitch and keep up with the youngsters for the full 90 minutes.
Up front, the experience McQuoid did his stuff and mad one or two excellent passes. We also had the “I am going to show I have grown up” Zane Banton. I thought that Banton had a really excellent game with his pace and tight close ball control. Banton should have had his name on the score sheet but a shot from him hit the post after receiving a great pass from SOD; that did not make Banton’s head drop and he continued his fine display; a really fine game from Banton.
The goals; yes, two very well worked goals that were both nice strikes, one each from Gilliead and Gray, another couple of youngsters. By the way, what a lovely player the on-loan Gilliead is to watch; just a delight: it would be lovely to keep him with us.
A final thought: projecting forwards a year or two, I feel we will have a very, very good and valuable side with so many young riches in the team. Overall a super night’s football and politics aside, I am so glad I went along.
As ever, a few thoughts on individual performances:
King: good handling, good kicking and a very decent penalty save. He has really filled out since I last saw him; now I can start to understand why NJ took Walton on a year's loan; based on what I have seen, King could be our keeper next season. The only downside this evening was that he was not tested at crosses but maybe I am a touch greedy.
O’Donnell: looked good going forward and any crosses were not over-hit: there is hope!
Musonda: elegant game: calm, composed, classy; he seems to have so much self-belief for such a young man.
Famewo: He had a very good game indeed. I have now seen Famewo play quite a few times and he really impresses me. Just simply a question on when will this 17-year-old be one of the first names on the team sheet
Senior: had a good game defending and also looked to be a decent wing back with some excellent forward running overlaps: yippee, Nathan may have a left back that will actually flourish in his preferred diamond formation.
Bakinson: hope you were watching Olly Lee, this is how a quality passing holding midfield player plays. His long legs made some super timely tackles and when he passes the ball he actually finds a teammate.
Gray: as ever, Gray really works hard in every area of the pitch and is very decent going forward: I rate the guy.
Smith: gave us his usual fully committed Smith performance, encouraged the youngsters and played like a captain.
Gilliead: Short report to Newcastle’s Mike Ashley: “although we have tried to bring out the best in him we just don’t feel he will make the grade. Rather than the cost of sending him back Mr Ashley, would you like us to dispose of him? In return, we can send you back our collection of 100 grotesque Sports Direct mugs”.
Now the truth: what a bloody good player he is, great game with some super shots from range but don’t tell Mike Ashley.
Banton: excellent game and given that awful MOM stuff: I don't kike the concept on MOM. He had a very good game and has really earned a place on the bench this Saturday.
McQuoid: passed the ball well and did all that was asked of him; a good experienced man to aid this young team.
The Subs:
Vassell; gave us just what you would expect, bags of pace but desperately needs a goal to his name
Hinds and Snelus: great to see them get their first team appearances but not enough minutes to make a meaningful comment.
