To be fair we've gone down the route of blooding players early at a higher level and it is going to show from time to time.
Without checking but pretty sure more than half the matchday squad could still line up for the U18s.
Inevitable when you take are without Boyes, Seriki, Lopata, Gordon, Neal, Broadbent, N'Diaye, Jebbison, Osula, Ayari.
That's a fair few to be down.
A few of those missing were also the physically strongest players in the team. For this game it left us with a rather light weight side, especially the front six. Burnley were able to bully a few of our players.
This may have been part of the strategy. Some of those players are always going to be on the small side, and they have to find ways to cope if they are going to become professional players.
Some quick notes on the players:
Dewhurst - a couple of great stops, but won't be happy with conceding three.
Starbuck - He's reasonably tall, quick and a good athlete. I don't think that's completely coincidental that we've brought in a player with those attributes, as a lot of our other players are small and neat. He made one last ditch tackle which was amazing. As a footballer he's finding his feet at right back and may need to add more finesse and flair to his attacking game. He's decent in the air and went forward for set pieces.
Grant - A big centre half, who I've not seen much of. He was largely untroubled, Burnley may have targeted other players. Loved one shoulder barge which sent an opponent flying.
Cullinan - He was involved a lot, he's an aggressive centre half and a decent defender, but had a tough evening against some physical Burnley strikers. Seems to be the type who makes a lot of interceptions, tackles and clearances, but in this game, quite a few errors as well. Could have had two goals from efforts following set pieces. Left footed, but small for a centre back.
Gomis - Actually impressed me more than Lopata last season, but is now having to change from LCB to LB. They bombarded his zone early on, but he's strong and held his own. He's not quite as comfortable yet at LB and his distribution was mixed. I noticed he was not going forward for corners, and have seen that before as well. Is he another like Berge who's tall, but doesn't like to head it?
Arblaster - He and Brunt forms an exceptionally skilful central midfield duo, but they are both better offensively than defensively. I think he played more holding last season, and must do a little more in terms of creating and going forward on occasions. Not as good as in the last game, but showed his promise and technique several times. He'll need to work on his strength, but he's possibly still growing.
Brunt - Keeps being played in holding midfield. Don't we think he's got the pace to play further forward? Or do we want him to improve the defensive side of his game? Had a mixed game, gave it away more than he usually does, but also showed his immense ability on the ball. He can thread it very often where he wants it, and can ping it to the far side like Norwood. Personally I would have liked to see him further forward and encouraged to run with the ball more.
Maguire - I see him as an all rounder in midfield, he captains this side, works hard and is decent on the ball. But he's having to play right midfield and he's not a winger. Generally did ok, but will be disappointed with a couple of deliveries when it looked like he could have set something up.
Brooks - I think he was really suited for the LCM role he had last season, driving at the opposition and often being a goal threat. Didn't look as comfortable on the left and struggled to find space and get involved.
Capello - Sometimes it can be a good idea to play small strikers against big defenders, but both forwards struggled in this game. They couldn't hold it up, they lacked the pace to get beyond them and were outmuscled all game.
Gaxha - A poacher type striker, but was well marked by strong defenders in this game. I think he's just recovered from a bad injury and may not be up to speed yet. Not the biggest, not the quickest, he's got to study Sharp for ways to make it.
