So far we are 1-0 up with Kermit playing well and Azeez with the goal See link for real time updates http://www.cafc.co.uk//news/article/20121119-u21s-live-blog-495683.aspx?pageView=full AllHell
Great to see Kermorgant back. We now have lots of competition for places up front, particularly with the likes of Azeez pushing for inclusion in the first team squad. Assuming everyone in the squad has the right mentality, and everything we've seen so far suggests they do, then that can only be a good thing.
Finished 5-1. Good result against in-form opponents who were third in the league, one place behind us. Under-18's won 9-0 against Brentford with four goals from Ahearne-Grant who is an under-15. Looks like another one to look out for. And that result was without Sho-Silva, our best u-18 forward. Talking point: We had Kermit, Devite and Cook getting run-outs for the u21s today. That meant there was no room for Harris, Piggott, or Harriott to start. With players coming back from injury and our new signings it will be a job to give all our professionals match practice. I expect Taylor, Green, BWP, Wagstaff, Jonsson, and Button would have liked at least part of a game today as well.
Just got back from the U21s game.A good display all round from the lads,but pride of place goes to Azeez,who terrorised them with his pace.He also finished very well,something that he has not always done.Kermy got clattered early on from their big centre half Aaron Pierre,which he had a good moan about.He also had a serious moan when Dervite was clattered by the same player.A good workout for Yann and he also poked home a goal.He went off after 60 minutes.Jordan Cousins played in front of the back four and broke up play and passed it well.Bover and Jordan were also very industrious and used the ball well.Jordan produced a tidy finish from a great cross from the impressive Fox.Had a word with Steve Coppell who was scouting,also Gareth Ainsworth was there but not sure who he was looking at.We were just too good for Brentford as were the U18s with our 9-0 win.These are good days for our youngsters and I encourage everybody to go to the training ground and see for yourself. Finished 5-1 to us.Goalscorers Azeez-3, Jordan-1,Kermy-1 Teams Pope Osbourne,Ajayi,Dervite,Fox Cousins Jordan,Cook,Bover Kermogant,Azeez Subs Pigott for Kermy,Harris for Cook.
Hi Eddie, slight correction to your post as Brentford were actually top of the league 1 pt in front of us until this afternoon's commanding win by the lads. Also, I understand Callum Harriot was exercising the Red card he picked up in the game from QPR although I tend to agree with the inclusion of Big Yann, Dervite and Cook it would be difficult to see how we would have started. Fair do's to Brentford they did not give up and it was a decent game to watch, on the day Charlton were just to good for them. I have attached an up todate as of 7pm this evening N & S league table...suffice to say the lads are now top of the league 2pts clear and the only games left this week are tonight Cardiff City v Colchester United and Swansea v QPR and tomorrow Bristol City v Barnet, all of the aforementioned games will not affect Charlton's position this week. Well done the lads great game today Ok tried to upload pdf file too big for site!... so tried screen shot... too big for site!!... so try link below to the Wikipedia page I am updating weekly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012–13_Professional_Development_League_2#South_division
for anyone interested OS match report link http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121119-u21s-report-496578.aspx
Ye gods - what a pair of results. How I'd love to see just one or two of these players make the big step up to first team regulars.
There must be some serious candidates. Most of our u21s are only u-19s and could have two and a half more years playing at this level before they have to make that step. They could add a lot more in physique, stamina and know-how in that time. Ajayi. Osborne, Cousins, Harriott, Azeez and Piggott are all under-19s who have had plenty of coverage, but what I find interesting is that players like Fox and Jordan, who I previously assumed were only there to make up the numbers, are now coming on strongly as well. Someone in the Development Section seems to know what they are doing. Maybe they all do! And I thought the u18s would be mediocre this season with only Sho-Silva and Poyet left from the automatic choices last season, but there too lots more talents are emerging, in some cases with an age-group or more to spare. Many thanks for your corrections and amplificaton, Madadd, and for the work you are putting in on the table updates. The club seem very reluctant to show the league table on the OS. Is that deliberate policy because they want to emphasise that the focus is on development of individual players rather than produce a winning team? If so, I can understand that to some extent. Our joy should be tempered by the knowledge that it will be very difficult to stop wealthier clubs taking our best and brightest for peanuts. Indeed the new rules are more or less designed to encourage that.
Eddie agree with you, hopefully I think the club see potential in this squad, they were very good last season at under 18s when they were competing against premier league clubs the arsenals west hams chelsea spurs etc and more than held their own against these clubs finishing 2nd or 3rd in the league and they should probably be competing at that level this year rather than development league 2, again hopefully, the club will do well in this league and find necessary results funding to attain category 1 status next year. Whilst this development league is definitely a step in the right direction to providing our signed professionals with regular competitive football at a good and relevant level hopefully progressing to L1L2 loan spells where they can further improve their skills and techniques rather than farming them out to any non league club that offers, I have to agree with you the downside does appear to seem weighted in favour of the Premiership clubs with money to be able ot come in and snap up the bright stars for a set figure based on years at academy x £x amount. Re this seasons u18's at under 16's they didn't have such a bright season against some of the premiership clubs however this league suits them and they are progressing well and presumably growing in confidence so again the new set up demonstrates effectiveness and hopefully nurtures our emerging young talent. Re posting of results table by the club, I don't think it is reluctance on the part of the club, it is merely administrational time consuming... pre-season it was pretty much impossible to find out which teams were in what leagues right up until the last minute and even now if you wiki the under 21s premiership league, they are at least 1 to 2 weeks behind with posting up to date results,mainly because the games are so spread out across the calendar, so I can understand individual clubs not publishing weekly tables, the OS does a great job of putting up results and match reports asap. However, this is a competitive league with play offs at the end of the season and it was only during my pre-season search to find out which other teams would be in league 2 that I stumbled on the wiki page of L2 North and South and started editing it and have decided to keep it up for the season...more fool me ! Re team / individuals, I enjoy watching this squad play as a team - they are a very tight group of players and are there for each other - like you say, we cannot lose sight of the fact the club is always looking to develop those 1,2,3 special players who will ultimately go on to make it as a professional and who will hopefully stay within the club and progress to the 1st team - and unfortunately in these modern times of football being a business 1st and sport 2nd- under the new regime it is more than likely early on we may lose some of our brightest talent to richer clubs up for less revenue until the time Charlton hopefully can compete on an even basis once more, not great for the club but hopefully good for the individual players concerned and ultimately that is what it is all about, developing talent ...challenging and interesting times ahead !
Many thanks, Madadd, for taking the trouble to give me such a complete and thoughtful reply, which I am sure others here will enjoy reading too.
Good article, Mada. I don't know how I missed this one, just forgot about it, must be my age. It can be interesting to see whether the ones you tip for the top actually make it. I think everyone knew Jonjo would make it, but everyone also knew Sean McGinty would make it and I haven't read his name mentioned since Manure paid us £500,000 as a 15-year-old. I can remember tipping youngsters like McCafferty, Uchechi, Solly and Mambo for the top but what do I know? The obvious candidates at the moment are Poyet, Gomez and Azeez, maybe Cousins, but keep your eye on Morgan Fox as well.Oh and Nick Pope as well.
He was on loan to a L2 Club at start of season then got injured so I think he is back at Manure. I was talking to Steve Gritt about him a few weeks back,,,, Gritty was really really disappointed when he left, he feels Sean would be very close to our first team had he stayed and his career would (by now) be far more advanced
Isn't he out of contract at the end of the season? If they don't keep him on then we lose out on any potential sell on money.
