As we haven't got a home game until 11 Nov I popped along to see some of the younger players in last night's "dead rubber" game against Scunthorpe's u/21 side. The starting 11 featured the following from the first team squad: Marosi; Alcock; Baudry, Tyler-Garratt; Mason, Williams and Mandeville. Amos played at the back while Beestin, Ben-Khemis and James played across the middle. They all played well and after a great interception and forward run by Ben-Khemis who passed out to the left the ball was whipped in for Mandeville to score a terrific first half goal. Some of the Scunthorpe tackling was quite robust and Williams had to go off injured being replaced by Scattergood. In the second half Alcock and Baudry were withdrawn being replaced by Fletcher and A.N Other. As the half progressed and, I suspect, the debutants tired Scunthorpe scored an equaliser. They also clattered Ben-Khemis at least three times and by the end he was visibly limping. In the final moments I think most of the side were running on fumes but they held out for the draw. Alfie Beestin (MoM) played well out on the right, particularly combining seamlessly with Mandeville. Amos certainly didn't look out of place in the back four, Ben-Khemis was all craft and vision but for me the outstanding player was Mason who anchored the midfield with enormous energy. As the result wasn't going to change I didn't hang about for the penalties - which we won 3-2. We have some good players waiting in the wings.
posted on 1/11/17
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posted on 1/11/17
Albi:
Thanks. You wonder when you don't see players like Beestin for a long time, whether he is making progress. The really young ones will almost certainly improve with age and the right coaching. What we must hope for is a group where some at least are not simply AS GOOD as those in the regular squad, but better.
My fear at the moment is that we have a squad bunch of players who are capable of outperforming most at this level when they are playing well, but are not resilient enough. Copps gave a very good interview on iFollow last week making comparisons with SOD's promotion team and Saunders'. SOD's did it on pure ability/performance and Saunders (with a squad packed with experience) did it by virtue of having a team which knew how to win at best and not to lose (even when they did not play well) at worst.
DF aims to find a combination of both attributes in his side and whilst he is building with the performances the team are getting crudely and carelessly knocked down too often.
posted on 1/11/17
Thanks for report albi Nice to see mason getting praise.
I could not understang why he gets lambasted so often.
He must be perfect pro to work with
posted on 1/11/17
It is good Lanza, but he really did deserve criticism for a lot of the away performances which I saw at the end of last season. I'm willing him and all the rest to do well and I hope I restrain most of my prejudices most of the time!
posted on 1/11/17
Out of position don .
Simple as that.
He is not a left back or left wing back.
But from the managers perspective he does as he is asked to his full potential
posted on 1/11/17
Because Lanza he has been poor as have a couple of others. I fail to see the rave about him. Hes been left back right back and holding midfield but still makes the same mistakes as I say do others. Hes played well on a handful of occasions very well infect but he's also slack and often switches off as Donaldo has alluded too in many away games.
posted on 2/11/17
Sorry aza i dont c that at all