11 Jan 2021 14:55:16
U 23s looking impressive today. So many looking good. Hard to pick a standout. Hope they can keep it second half.
11 Jan 2021 16:03:09
That was a great watch some fab performances and brilliant football at times in a 4-1 win nice hatrick from Jimmy Summerville) too.
11 Jan 2021 18:20:28
Be nice to see some of these great prospect make the first team soon.
11 Jan 2021 18:52:27
We are in the 2nd division of the U23 league. Our youngsters are doing well at that level.
We have just seen the step up needed even for League 2.
Can we not just allow them the develop rather than make each one the second coming.
11 Jan 2021 19:06:59
I agree Axe, it's something about the English psyche. National team, two wins and we are World up favourites. Maybe so desperate for success and many a dreamer. I think Crawley showed that there is still a lot of learning to do and the step up is one giant leap for mankind. Let's stop, take a deep breath and wait for our young guns to slowly learn their trade.
Obviously there is the chance that one will will push thro, grab his chance and take the Prem by storm but that is a rarity and a huge, huge bonus.
11 Jan 2021 19:31:46
I still think that the U23s as a full team would have beaten Crawley but mixing and matching is much tougher.
11 Jan 2021 22:34:27
Alf, whilst agreeing with your idea that a purely U23 team would have probably put up a more cohesive display against Crawley, I can't get past the fact that Crawley were a team of men whilst our U23s are still growing both physically and mentally. They would just not have been strong enough.
That is not me being harsh on those lads, if they were ready for League 2 standard football then they would all be out on loan at the moment getting experience. As it is only the top ones from last year (Gotts, Stevens, McAlmont and Edmondson) have been loaned out so far.