18's v Everton

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Just back from watching this game at Platt Lane and it's no surprise they are on a good winning streak and I think 2nd in the league after beating Everton 4.1 to go above them.Right from the off we took the initiative and pressed high up and looking threatening when we had the ball.

Not sure who scored the first from a scramble after a cross had been headed down but the 2nd was a beauty. A great deep cross to the far post from Angelino took the keeper out and Ambrose arrived perfectly to sidefoot volley the ball in.Everton got one back when the keeper dropped a corner and Everton woke up a little and definitely came out 2nd half ready to be more aggressive.Our 3rd goal ,Ambrose again,was hotly disputed by Everton but the lino was certain it had crossed the line.Everton kept fighting hard and it was quite physical but the lads stood up to it well and pretty well everyone did their job.I would expect Jason Wilcox would be very pleased with the whole team.

Boadu had come on in the middle of the 2nd half and I thought found it a little hard to get the pace of the game but he scored a beauty to finish it all off.An early ball behind the defence ( Angelino I think ) found Ambrose and he did really well to hold it,turn inside his man and lay it to Boadu.He took a touch past a player and calmly hit it left footed into the top corner.

Really good team effort and great signs that Wilcox is building a good team.And the under 16's won 4.1 as well.Some little lads in that team.

[Ted Hughes]

Bugger. I forgot about this (again) I could have gone today.

Cheers for the report Doug. Angelino looks to have a serious cross on him. Both the Spanish fullbacks look the bis going forward (Barca like). Be interesting to see if they can also defend.

So many talented kids, it must be really difficult to make an organised team, as they change around so often.

I'm really excited about the future re 'homegrown' players. I think we are going to start seeing some in the first team in a year or two & then, after that, it will become the norm.

edit: Just to add, I was well impressed by Wilcox with the U16s I think we have a great, footballing coach there.

[BmoreBlue]

seems like every time i hear about this angelino lad it's only good things. could be the long term answer at LB if he can defend a lick.

[Nigels Tackle]

nice one doug
seen much of pozo this season?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

nice one doug
seen much of pozo this season?

He's only started back from injury in the last 2 weeks or so and initially wasn't playing full matches.Seems to be getting back to it now but again so far has been playing a wide left forward role in effectively a front 3.Nothing great report yet but some good signs.He's still one of those players who seems to be involved in the good things we do. A goal and at least one assist in Wednesday's 3 nil win against Plzen.

[Nigels Tackle]

nice one doug
seen much of pozo this season?

He's only started back from injury in the last 2 weeks or so and initially wasn't playing full matches.Seems to be getting back to it now but again so far has been playing a wide left forward role in effectively a front 3.Nothing great report yet but some good signs.He's still one of those players who seems to be involved in the good things we do. A goal and at least one assist in Wednesday's 3 nil win against Plzen.

is that the ankle one he picked up at the end of last year?
glad to hear he's back in action - i'll quiz you again in a few weeks time

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Not sure if he's EDS now or under 18s Doug but how does Devante Cole look? Any potential there?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

nice one doug
seen much of pozo this season?

He's only started back from injury in the last 2 weeks or so and initially wasn't playing full matches.Seems to be getting back to it now but again so far has been playing a wide left forward role in effectively a front 3.Nothing great report yet but some good signs.He's still one of those players who seems to be involved in the good things we do. A goal and at least one assist in Wednesday's 3 nil win against Plzen.

is that the ankle one he picked up at the end of last year?
glad to hear he's back in action - i'll quiz you again in a few weeks time

I think it was ankle but it was quite a bad one whatever.Still quality.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Nice report Mr H. Many thanks for that.

On a fairly topical note, how are the centre-back candidates developing and is there any possibility that in the next few years, one of them might be pushing for a place in the first team ??

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Nice report Mr H. Many thanks for that.

On a fairly topical note, how are the centre-back candidates developing and is there any possibility that in the next few years, one of them might be pushing for a place in the first team ??

I guess our main candidate ( after Nastasic) is Rekik and I don't know too much about how he is doing.OK but nothing special I think but the experience will be invaluable and I am sure we will be keeping a close eye on him.The two center backs on Wednesday in the under 19's were Shay Facey and Jason Denayer.

Shay has been doing very well and is in the England age group squad.Not sure whether his best position is full back or central.I can see development in him and at times he is really good but I would put him as a maybe rather than a probable.Denayer I think is younger and seems to have everything but I don't think I have seen him against top strong opponents but a probable rather than a maybe!But I cant see either in the next season or 2.

Today's pair were Matthias Bossaerts and Tosin Adarabiyo and played well today.Bossaerts has just come back from injury and only played 75 minutes but I like him.He has played quite a bit at full back where he also looks ok but I know thinks he is a center back. Early days to say if he will be good enough for City but a good prospect. Tosin is a tall lad and quite thin and wiry and the last 2 times I have seen him I have quite liked him.That's after seeing a game where he was poor but I think he might also be a year younger than most ( not sure) and hopefully learning fast and getting better by the game.Looks very promising.

So of course I am hedging my bets but we do have some very promising lads coming through.This is also after Keiran Kennedt went somewhere on loan and more recently Ellis Plummer.2 good lads who don't have what it takes to make a top side but should do fine somewhere a little lower down.

[john@staustell]

Last I heard Rekik got an injury and would be out for some time. Not sure if he's playing again yet.

[mr_nool]

Last I heard Rekik got an injury and would be out for some time. Not sure if he's playing again yet.

He's fit again since about a week back. Only seen him play once since, so a bit early to judge. Will have a look around some psv forums later.