The under 21s had a good win 4-0 last night with goals from the Harriotts, Ahearne- Grant, Munns and a cracker from Holmes- Dennis. Everybody played well but Obileye looks a very accomplished defender. He is big and athletic and comfortable on the ball, as is Terrell Thomas. Cumberbatch was quick and used the ball well. Muldoon played just in front of the back four and controlled the flow of the play. Munns seems to have added goals to his repertoire. But the star of the show was Ahearne -Grant who looked a goal threat throughout. He held the ball up very well which hasn't been his strong suit. The only real disappointment was Ansah who has not impressed me since joining from Arsenal. Charlton starting XI: Phillips; Holmes-Dennis, Fox, Obileye, Thomas; Muldoon, Cumberbatch, Munns; Harriott, Ahearne-Grant, Ansah. Subs: Mitov, Pyke, Daniel, Gerard, Browne.
Cheers for the report, Dickp, since I forgot about this one. Gomez has been getting all the CB plaudits, but Terrell Thomas has been quietly improving his game and I think has a decent career ahead of him. I hope Munns hasn't been written off as a potential first-team player on account of being the same height as Solly.
Nice one, DP. Those who went seem to be singing the praises of Holmes-Dennis. Whats your opinions of him, guys?
He is a good player but he has a number of players ahead of him at left back. He can also play midfield and he might have a better chance of getting into the first team there.
Who was playing RB then? I am confused. Browne seems a pointless signing now. Had a good pedigree when signed but then we signed Cumberbatch straight after who seems to have pushed him out of the reckoning.
Move with the times, Billy. No midgets and no wingers! Did you watch Chelsea's giants muscle Arsenal off the park? That is the way it is going, I'm afraid. Chelsea will win the league. They are impressive but hardly entertaining. Also why Premier sides can sign Jenkinson and bid for Francis, but were not interested in Solly even before his injury, though a better footballer than the other two.
A few of these players may disagree with you, Eddie: http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...-small-players-in-the-world-right-now/page/26
I've always liked him as a midfielder. Loads of energy, maybe a bit feisty, now seems to be banging a few in as well. One of those players I've been willing to succeed for a couple of years.
Sadly I agree with Eddie. I really like what little I've seen of Munns, but it's all too clear to me that he lacks the physicality to make a real impact at Championship level.
Physicality? I'm not sure what that means. He's short, sure, but quite sturdy with it. When Solly first came into the team a few posters said he lacked the "upper body weight", another baffling phrase. To my mind, if a player is outstanding at this level, let's see how he does at the next level. When players like Tucudean come in and play several poor games before being dropped, I think well would it be the end of the world if say Munns or Holmes-Dennis came in and played one poor game? Or Michael Smith (6'4")
Barcelona only won everything in football with a squad full of smaller players. It won't be height that holds munns back, it will be if he doesn't have the ability to be in a top 10 championship squad.
Wet Spam told Lee Bowyer (as a youth) that he would never play pro football because he was too short.... so we signed him.... A few seasons ago everybody wanted to sign Alan Judge the 'Irish Messi' who is 5' 6.5" the half inch is very important! Dean Keily was only just 6' as a goalkeeper!! the accepted height as a keeper is well over 6 feet. Paul Millar is 6' 9.5" and is the tallest pro footballer in Britain..... he plays not for a Premiership team but for Elgin City.. footballers need skill as well as height.
Holmes - Dennis was playing right back. The reason Solly was not signed by a Premiership club has nothing to do with his height. It is because of his knee problem. Solly had his first knee operation when he played in the U18s and he has had some since. His knee swells up after every game and the only cure is rest. That is why he can't play midweek after playing on a Saturday. I have seen Browne a couple of times and I have not been impressed. Cumberbatch played well on Tuesday.
Both played against Barnsley the other day, Browne out wide and Cumberbatch in the middle, so there may be room for both.
