This is less than our 2nd string 87. Blake, Earnie, Kiss, Cowie, Rudy, and Harris would be in a second string, possibly with Etien. 4 of those are on international duty.
Bit disappointed was in work so couldn't listen to them and ccplayer won't work on my iPhone or iPad! As long as the worked hard that's all that matters! Any stand out players from the youngsters?
Don't worry lads, The Cobblers knocked Ipswich out in the 1st round last season too The real football starts this weekend - good luck guys, as always I will be keeping an eye on the Bluebirds.
Right, I was there. Must have been 500+ Bluebirds including City fans from Northampton, Luton and Milton Keynes. We started with 5 teenagers, only 1 of whom had previously played a competitive game for us. There were another 4 teenagers on the bench. We had a total of 17 first team squad players not on the park or bench due to international, injury or other reasons. The fact that our whole regular back 4 were not there perhaps gives a clue to Malky's thoughts on the importance of this game and competition this season. When I saw the home team warming up I guessed we would be in for a tough physical battle with at least 7 of their squad standing at 6 ft +. While we started off okay and got the lead through a soft penalty - apart from a long distance effort by Mason that was our only shot on target all night. We kept the ball down, passed it around well (in the first half anyway) but had little fluidity or penetration in the final third. They pumped everything up in the air looking for Platt who won his fair share against Keinan and Nugent. In the main that was the extent of their ambition, get the ball up and charge forward for Platt's knockdown. McPhail had warmed up tentatively on his own before the game and really didn't look right from the start. It was no surprise to see him go off after around 20 minutes to be replaced by another teenager, Tom O'Sullivan. As others have said, I fear for Steve's future. I hear the club have high hopes for O'Sullivan. He has good control and movement and is always looking to create. Despite their physical domination N'ampton had created no real chances but were always looking to put us under pressure from long throws and free kicks - for big guys they fell over very easily to gain set pieces from a very generous ref. Overall we defended well and Nugent wasn't too troubled by Platt. Nugent must be 6 ft 3 ins and when he gains a bit of muscle to go with his size he could be a real find. It looked like we would go in ahead at half time until they got another long throw on their right. Helguson defending attacked the throw and out it out for another. He went to attack the second but misjudged it and their centre back got a gentle touch but with top spin it was enough to beat Lewis in the corner right in front of us. I thought he might have got it as it had little pace but he couldn't reach it. We saw Mutch doing a serious warm up and assumed he would come on second half. Mason didn't reappear and Mutch was stood half way ready to come on. Then he disappeared again so we were down to 10 men - it appeared the 4th official told him to change his boots. They got an early corner or free kick (can't remember which). It was perfectly taken to their free player who scored unchallenged. A basic school boy error by us in not having Mutch properly kitted up and ready to come on. N'ampton gained confidence from then and apart from the constant aerial bombardment - Lewis has probably never had to come for so many crosses in his career - they actually started to get the ball down and played some good football, with their no. 4 running the show. Lewis made at least 2 excellent saves to keep the score down. They brought on another 6 ft 3 ins forward and then Akinfenwa came on for Platt to receive some choice chants in view of his Swansea history. He is the fattest footballer I have ever seen. I think he must have eaten both Parkin and McCormack. Jarvis came on for Helguson but didn't add anything new apart from a nasty clash of heads with their young keeper for a 50/50 ball. Okay we lost but what is important for us this season? We can do without cup distractions, the main downside being that the youngsters will have few opportunities to impress outside of this competition. The positives - Lewis looks a good back up to Marshall, okay not great on crosses (he had plenty of practice last night) but what keeper is nowadays. He gets down well for a big guy and looks to roll/pass the ball out to keep possession rather than hoof it. Nugent will develop and could be a very good player for us. He also likes to play the ball out but is not afraid to find row z when needed. John at left back was a little unsure defending but superb going forward - could be more left midfield than left back. A bit small for a full back also. O'Sullivan did well as mentioned earlier, composed on the ball with good vision and passing skills. He had an opportunity near the end from a fast moving cross from Conway. He tried to volley but totally miscued, maybe a header would have been more successful. Conway - if only he was a yard quicker. He tried and tried all night and near the end realised he could get around his full back on the outside to get crosses in - see comment about O'Sullivan's chance above. Pitbull looks really fit and keen for the season. He was our mom. I'm not going to criticise any of team, especially the other youngsters. My main advserse comment is that they had a rookie 17 year old youngster in goal. We should have been peppering him with shots all night but failed to do so. Anyway, on to Friday and a very different starting 11 and bench.
Just fooling around gents , my money is on Cardiff to take the title this season the way things seem to be unfolding the last few months .
rubber you were runners up last season You dont want to win are you sure you support cardiff wanting them to lose.........More games the better for fringe players at least.....never mind now your out of it...akafenwa frightened your defence to death and he was only on for 20 minutes ...
oh shut up ffs. anyone with more than one sole brain cell knows that the league is by far the priority
Dai Now you really are talking bollocks. Were you at Sixfields Tuesday night? If not then don't talk such absolute crap. The only people frightened by the fat jack ba$tard Akinfenwa were the pie salesmen who were worried they might not have enough stock to keep him happy. He hauled his lazy ass around the field for 20 minutes and rarely made an aquaintance with the ball as he couldn't catch up with it. Now jog on you irritating little jerk.
Little off topic but the Malaysians made a new offer to Langston ... 9 million right away & 3 payments of 2 million when Cardiff are in the Premier ... Cheers !
