Bergen Blade
Well-Known Member
I had a look at the first 75 minutes of the U21 game vs Bolton, after which there was an error with the video.
We lined up like this:
Meaning we started with 4-4-2, but changed towards the end of the first half to 4-4-1-1, putting Wright on the right and Brooks just behind Hall. The fact that the U21s didn't play 3-5-2 like the first team do at the moment may suggest that Adkins will return to 4-4-2 next season.
It was a very young line up, and a few new faces for me. Overall they did pretty well against what looked like a bigger, maybe older, opposition team. We scored two good goals. A bit on each player:
Ramsdale - Made a string of impressive saves, a couple really top class. Being called up for England U18s suggests his performance wasn't a one off. 9
Charlesworth - Positive and enthusiastic right back. Read the game well, being very alert and made some really good interceptions. Also had good ball control and passed well. A bit short, but looked pretty quick. 7,5
Kennedy - Steady game at centre half, not too troubled. 7
Semple - Left footed centre half, who like Kennedy were in control for most of the game. Looked to be about 6'0, possibly 6'1. Lost out in one sprint, which was a bit concerning. 6,5
Brown - Left back who had a great start to the game, bombing forward down the left and being very involved. Like Charlesworth only small, but nippy, bright and enthusiastic. Great run and cross for our first goal. Less involved as the game went on. 7
Brooks - Our most skilful player, very good touch and does a few clever turns and has vision. Started on the right, but is left footed and cuts inside most of the time. Changed to attacking central midfield towards the end of the second half. An inch or two taller than last season, but still not the bravest and needs to bulk up more. 7
Gordon - Scored a great goal from outside the box. I think he looks like a steady performer in midfield. Nothing too spectacular about him, but he looks fit and competitive and usually plays simple short passes. I've seen him a couple of times and on occasions he tends to look a bit too laid back when he's on the ball, plays it out wide, then doesn't do enough to find a new position. Maybe he's trying to emulate the arrogance and cool distribution of, say Steffen Effenberg, but I think he'd be better off getting more involved even after he's played a pass, something his midfield partner was very good at. 7
Gilmour - Left footed central midfielder with good technique. Looked bright and positive, always making himself available for a pass. Not the strongest and you do get the impression that our academy puts more emphasis on technical than physical attributes. Anyway I liked what I saw from Gilmour. 7
K.Smith - A left winger that joined us some months ago and he did seem a bit different to the rest. Most of the others are smallish, but very neat and comfortable on the ball. Smith is tall for a winger and has good pace, but also looks very raw and his first touch was very variable. I think he may become good, occasionally he showed some great touches, but he also lost the ball more than most and didn't look confident. Maybe a shame that he hasn't been with us for a few years. It seems like our other two young left wingers Coustrain and Hamilton are on their way out, so hopefully Smith will grow in confidence and make more use of his pace and athleticism. 6
Wright - Good goal where he got in front of his man and finished well. Looks like a bit of an all rounder, and this makes it hard to predict how good he'll become. Not very quick, his skill doesn't stand out and he's not quite a big target man. Maybe his goal instinct will determine what kind of career he'll have. He works hard, and likes a tackle. 7
Hall - Stocky striker, who wasn't too involved. Looks quite strong and difficult to stop once he gets going on the ball. Another who has a bit of everything, rather than one outstanding quality. A recent signing I think and he has scored some goals. Subbed after 60 minutes. 6
We lined up like this:
1 Ramsdale
2 Charlesworth 5 Kennedy 6 Semple 3 Brown
7 Brooks 8 Gordon 4 Gilmour 11 K.Smith
9 Wright 10 Hall
2 Charlesworth 5 Kennedy 6 Semple 3 Brown
7 Brooks 8 Gordon 4 Gilmour 11 K.Smith
9 Wright 10 Hall
Meaning we started with 4-4-2, but changed towards the end of the first half to 4-4-1-1, putting Wright on the right and Brooks just behind Hall. The fact that the U21s didn't play 3-5-2 like the first team do at the moment may suggest that Adkins will return to 4-4-2 next season.
It was a very young line up, and a few new faces for me. Overall they did pretty well against what looked like a bigger, maybe older, opposition team. We scored two good goals. A bit on each player:
Ramsdale - Made a string of impressive saves, a couple really top class. Being called up for England U18s suggests his performance wasn't a one off. 9
Charlesworth - Positive and enthusiastic right back. Read the game well, being very alert and made some really good interceptions. Also had good ball control and passed well. A bit short, but looked pretty quick. 7,5
Kennedy - Steady game at centre half, not too troubled. 7
Semple - Left footed centre half, who like Kennedy were in control for most of the game. Looked to be about 6'0, possibly 6'1. Lost out in one sprint, which was a bit concerning. 6,5
Brown - Left back who had a great start to the game, bombing forward down the left and being very involved. Like Charlesworth only small, but nippy, bright and enthusiastic. Great run and cross for our first goal. Less involved as the game went on. 7
Brooks - Our most skilful player, very good touch and does a few clever turns and has vision. Started on the right, but is left footed and cuts inside most of the time. Changed to attacking central midfield towards the end of the second half. An inch or two taller than last season, but still not the bravest and needs to bulk up more. 7
Gordon - Scored a great goal from outside the box. I think he looks like a steady performer in midfield. Nothing too spectacular about him, but he looks fit and competitive and usually plays simple short passes. I've seen him a couple of times and on occasions he tends to look a bit too laid back when he's on the ball, plays it out wide, then doesn't do enough to find a new position. Maybe he's trying to emulate the arrogance and cool distribution of, say Steffen Effenberg, but I think he'd be better off getting more involved even after he's played a pass, something his midfield partner was very good at. 7
Gilmour - Left footed central midfielder with good technique. Looked bright and positive, always making himself available for a pass. Not the strongest and you do get the impression that our academy puts more emphasis on technical than physical attributes. Anyway I liked what I saw from Gilmour. 7
K.Smith - A left winger that joined us some months ago and he did seem a bit different to the rest. Most of the others are smallish, but very neat and comfortable on the ball. Smith is tall for a winger and has good pace, but also looks very raw and his first touch was very variable. I think he may become good, occasionally he showed some great touches, but he also lost the ball more than most and didn't look confident. Maybe a shame that he hasn't been with us for a few years. It seems like our other two young left wingers Coustrain and Hamilton are on their way out, so hopefully Smith will grow in confidence and make more use of his pace and athleticism. 6
Wright - Good goal where he got in front of his man and finished well. Looks like a bit of an all rounder, and this makes it hard to predict how good he'll become. Not very quick, his skill doesn't stand out and he's not quite a big target man. Maybe his goal instinct will determine what kind of career he'll have. He works hard, and likes a tackle. 7
Hall - Stocky striker, who wasn't too involved. Looks quite strong and difficult to stop once he gets going on the ball. Another who has a bit of everything, rather than one outstanding quality. A recent signing I think and he has scored some goals. Subbed after 60 minutes. 6
