Academy

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Went to the swamptraining ground today to watch the under 18's derby instead of watching training. Not sure I made the right choice! Battered 6 .1.
Just a bad day at the office in all aspects. After maybe 10 minutes all was well as we were having most of the play but not doing much with it and then it all changed. A cross ball went in at the far post with the keeper watching followed by a strange goal where the keeper had saved two efforts and it seemed to have gone safe but their player just turned towards goal and sidefooted it into the far corner. Very sloppy and then to cap it all a volley from 20 yards that was going 20 yards wide was deflected in.An early goal in the 2nd half when we just allowed a midfielder to run at the box ended the contest even though there were 3 late goals including a consolation for Bradley Robinson.

We looked open in defence,missing in midfield,lacking a good touch when it mattered,too many of the forward players just ran with the ball till they lost it and we didn't seem as strong as they were. As I said a bad day at the office.

The only think that made it worthwhile was that I parked next to Uwe Rosler and go the chance to shake the legends hand and have a chat.He was there to watch the 16's play as he does some coaching with Devante Cole. They won 3 nil as he told me as we left at the same time.Top bloke and looking really well too.

[Ted Hughes]

U 18s don't seem to have much of a team but do seem to have one or two highly rated players. Interesting to know Uwe's doing a bit of coaching. Should get him doing the same with the 1st team.