Charlton u21s at home to Huddersfield in semi-final Tues 7 May 12 noon If successful, away (following coin toss) to winners of Leicester v Cardiff (date unknown). Charlton u18s by coincidence also at home to Huddersfield in semi-final Sat 4 May 12 noon If successful, away (following coin toss) to winners of Leeds v QPR (date unknown). I would like to see Harriott omitted against Bristol City and play on Tuesday. He has been a big part of that team most of the season. It is not as if some other deserving player would miss out. We have no specialist LM at u21 level since Bover left. It would also release an u18 to concentrate on their semi-final. Interesting question. As their league seasons have finished, should we bring back Mambo and Smith, who are still u21s, for this match? I guess it will be best to start with the usual team but they could sit on the bench rather than Lennon and Sho-Silva who will have played on the Saturday and hopefully will have a final to prepare for. Both matches at Sparrows Lane. I don't think we will equal the 6000 crowd at the Rangers v Celtic u16 Final last night!
Yes I agree about Harriott, Mambo and Smith. Kerkar seems to be approaching peak form, so it would not be a problem for the first team.
I don't care if it is a problem or not. Tuesday is the more important match. Anyway, I would play Green or Wagstaff ahead of Kerkar (and I am not one of the Kerkar haters) even on the left. Or Evina. All three did well in their last appearances and were unlucky not to get further chances. Although I realise the politics of who is going and staying may decide that. Also I am assuming Harriott, Mambo and Smith would be welcomed back by the u21 players and staff. I see no reason why not, but team spirit is paramount.
Still a couple hundread grand up for grabs depending on league position, so Harriott has to play in the first team IMO.
We only need a point, and we should be able to get that without Harriott. I wouldn't mind seeing Wagstaff play.
Harriott wasn't that great against Middlesboro' especially in the second half. His fading, along with Hollands and Gower (all three perfectly excusable given the circumstances) probably cost us two points. More misuse of subs by CP. I am sure Waggy or Green could do as good a job for one match. Admittedly, either of them could play as over-age players for the u21s instead, but that would use up one of our entitlement, plus Harriott has been an integral part of that team for most of the season. Is it really 200,000 pounds for each league position? We cannot catch Leicester for 8th because of their goal difference, and we only need a point to stay ahead of Birmingham and Ipswich for the same reason. If we cannot at least draw at home with Bristol City, we don't deserve the extra money
Further recognition for Messrs. Harriott(s), Azeez, Cousins and Ajayi - well done to all. http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130501-harriott-earns-england-call-802152.aspx
It's not 200k per position, around 100k, but I rounded it up to the possibility we could drop 2 places
Also, it should be mentioned we won the Kent senior cup with our developmental squad last night. We won 7-1, with Michael Smith grabbing a hat trick. So well done to them, 2 medals within 7 days for a lot of them!
I fully expect Smith to be part of our 18 match day squad next season, and harriott if we extend his contract _
Seems we have now lost another top 16-year-old prospect, full-back Archie Edwards to Man.U. These cliubs should have a limit put on the number of youngsters they have on their books. And parents with stars in their eyes should look at the example of John Bostock to see what happens when a top prospect goes to a big club. Arsenal seem to be the honourable exception, when they buy a youngster they bring him on properly.
Jordan Cook was the only over-21 playing (though obviously there are no age limitations in that competition). He is kind of the forgotten man in all our posts. Is that because we all assume he will leave this summer? They played him because he filled the LM spot left vacant by Harriott, but is Cook a genuine left-winger? I imagine not (similar to Bover in that respect).
I remember from some of the Sunderland clips that Cook was crossing with his left foot, though I think he is more than capable on his right. There is a player there, but unfortunately he doesn't seem to have a firm position.
There are rumours Archie Edwards has turned down Man U and will play for the U18s on Saturday.If this is true,great news.
Yes, thanks, SuperChrissy. You are quite correct. I must have subconsciously blanked out from my mind the possibility that we could lose to Bristol City and drop a place. Or even draw and do so, but that would require some spectacular scoring from Birmingham.
U18s lost on penalties. Very disappointing but they have had a very successful season. Far better than I thought possible after losing the bulk of the team last summer to the u21s. Now for the big one on Tuesday! Same venue, same opponents ('Udders). I expect the u21s to go one better and get through to the final. I wonder if Harriott will play? I imagine not or he would have come off much earlier, unless that was because CP had to make two enforced subs through injuries during the match. Of course, as Nathan Jones always stresses, it is more important to develop individual players for the first team than produce winning junior teams. Far better to come bottom and produce a couple who graduate to the first 18 than come top with 11 very good players who all become Mambos or Derrys.
Exactly what John Cartwright used to say in his interesting weekly column in The Mercury. And he produced a player or two for Curbs.
