Some thoughts on today's game....... Good performance in the first half with us pressing high up the pitch, some excellent, purposeful attacking play with Brown, Mottley- Henry, Patrick and Kebbie causing havoc in the Hull defence. They were well supported by Kay whose energy and passing dominated central midfield. Kay hit the bar with a thunderbolt shot and Patrick missed a simple header from 5 yards. 3-0 at half time would not have flattered us but we lacked the ruthlessness in the box and went in 0-0. Not for the first time BFC were caught napping within minutes of the restart and Hull scored with a sharp finish inside the box. Templeton was caught hopelessly out of position for the goal and that pretty much summed his contribution throughout the game. After the goal, Hull increasingly took control of the game. They played a higher line and didn't allow our forwards to turn as freely as they did in the first half. Our central midfielders then struggled to cope without the space. Hull passed the ball accurately and quickly and attacked at will. They were awarded a penalty when Kebbie dived in on his winger but Jack Walton made a magnificent one handed save from the spot kick. We were not able to respond and Hull continued to dominate until the final whistle. Worryingly we did not look as fit as Hull and half of our team tired badly. This could be due to pressing they did in the first half - it was obvious they could not have maintained that for 90 mins. Walton 7 - continues to look a real prospect. Great penalty save and generally very commanding. Kebbie 7 - very lively and assured on the ball. A mistake for the pen but generally looked a more mature than most. Procter 6 - quickly and reads the game well but nowhere near big enough for CB. Looks more like a RB. Cowgill 6 - reasonably solid but doesn't look to have improved much over the last 2 years. Doubt he'll make the first team standard. Templeton 4 - sorry to report but he was awful and run ragged by their winger. Another who sadly has not improved. No better than George Smith. Mottley-Henry 8 - great first half. Torn their defence to pieces. Defended well and linked well with Kebbie. The one player, with Walton, who could play for the first team now, if necessary. Kay 7 - really impressed with him until he tired. Box to box player with a real eye for a pass. Also happy to put his foot in and battle. Bird 5 - neat and tidy but easily got overrun in the 2nd half. Blocked on the edge of the box quite well Ash 5 - struggled with being wide but good control of the ball. He is a central striker but is very lightweight. Doubt he'll make it unfortunately. Brown 6 - very lively, energetic and a handful for Hull until he tired. Looks a very good prospect. Patrick 7 - big stature which he used well, frequently winning the ball in tackles. Mobile and skilful although he missed a sitter. Think he ma be a triallist. Swinburne and Crawford came on without making any significant impact on the game. 2 to watch from Hull - Harvey Rodgers CB best player on the pitch. Greg Olley CM - ran the game in the 2nd half. So there you have it, just my opinion. Decent game and performance, especially in the first half. At the moment only Mottley-Henry and Walton are anywhere near the first team squad standard.
Good to hear about Walton, potentially No2 to Davies if Townsend doesn't perform but league football is much different to academy football and some that have been in or around the 1st team like Cowgill or Templeton could benefit from a loan spell and some 1st team football now we have some depth at the back
Brave man writing academy prospects off. I must have seen a certain academy graduate at least 30 times but when I said he wasn't good enough I was slated for it. Even after being released and signing for non league which I predicted I was still told I was wrong for believing he wasn't up to it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Went today and I thought Cowgill looked okay, He needs to start playing at a better standard. He's the leader at the back in this team. We'll never be sure about how good he can be without it either. Walton, the guys a good goalkeeper. Again someone that okay he's only 18 and just gone into this level he needs that next step for me. Mottley-Henry, had a good first half didn't he. Someone that will improve.
Well I suppose you can take comfort from the fact you were right! I have watched a lot of Academy, Reserve and U21 football at Oakwell over the years and I reckon I have a fair idea who will make it and who won't. Obviously it's based on their on field performances and not their off field personalities. More often than not I'm right but I am of course very happy to be proven wrong if someone does make it. Football is all about opinions and I respect other people's views even if I think they're wrong. I genuinely don't think Cowgill, Templeton and Ash will progress to our first team squad. For the record I think Brown, Kay and Kebbie (if he can stay healthy) have a real chance along with Henry & Walton. Haven't seen enough of Carvell yet to judge. That said I also thought Watkins and Scowen might struggle in the Championship so what do I know.
I went today. I would be confident if Walton was No2 and was called into first team action. Very assured, confident and a real talent. Also Cowgill. Seen him a good few times now and seen nothing to suggest he can't make the step up.
