The bright ones amongst us, will realise that the opposition was Rotherham tonight. However, those that attended will acknowledge a dominant fluent footballing City second string were tonight prevented from handing a real thumping to the New Yorkers by one man - Andy Warrington. City played some great football throughout and I am sure we will get some great entertainment this season from what I would call a 'development squad' and I presume a new look back room may see them look to run the reserves as such over the season, however weak and disjointed the competition looks on paper. Indeed with plenty of games as a squad together to 'develop', 3 or 4 could have a better chance of a future at City. Goalscorers - Cooper and Margetts For those who can see past their foam hands and face paint, here is my take on proceedings in my traditional Reserve team format of old: 1) Eldin Jakupovic - To be fair, he didn't have much to do and really didn't do much wrong. However, in one or two brief flashes of Gulasci, I get a sense that there are many schoolboy errors waiting to happen. 2) Sam Topliss - First time I remember seeing him play, and in a Bruce styled three man Defensive line-up, he didn't look out of his depth. You can see, like a few in the line-up he still has plenty to learn, but along side my joint MoM, Liam Cooper, he looked assured in spite of one or two minor moments of inexperienced wobble. 3) ConorTownend - Again, ably assured by Coops, Conor did little wrong against a weak Rotherham front line. Not so many opportunities to get forward as he likes because of the formation but still had a very good game. 4) Douglas Wilson - I like this kid. For a young un, he has a maturity about him which I wish I had had when I was that age. My tip for the top. Having said that Gavan Hoolan was my last, and Tom Cairney before that 5) Liam Cooper - I'd say the only one on show tonight who could slot into the first team now, although I have to say that there must be something wrong behind the scenes, as although he is no James Chester, he also isnt a Macca 6) Kealan Dilon - Another strong performance in midfield. Always reminds me of a young David Batty. 7) Danny Emerton - My choice as joint MoM with Coops. However don't get carried away, he still looks too raw for the first team. His delivery was sometimes at fault tonight but still shone on the ball and laid on a class goal for Margetts. I wonder if he will have enough time to get himself into a position to get a Senior level contract and seriously push for a regular first team start. 8) Jamie Devitt - Anyone who has read my comments previously will know that I am not a fan. I still say he will never be any more than a decent 4th Division player. Still had plenty of the ball tonight and seems to developing into a central midfield roving roll rather than the out-and-out winger as he has threatened to be in the past. 9) Jonathan Margetts - Always working and looking dangerous with and without the ball Has an eye for goal, although there were a couple of occasions tonight when his finishing was a little weak. 10) Fran McCaffery - Like Margetts, always a threat and hungry to pressure the youthful defenders tonight. A good performance and another I feel could have a future with the right nurture. 11) Paul McElroy - Emerton's opposite flank equivalent but not as effective going forward tonight. Still looks menacing on the ball. Subs used Lewis Clarkson for Margetts - Came on at half-time and from the start seemed over awed by the seniors around him. Slightly lazy and reminded me of a young Keith Edwards. Didn't really do it tonight. There'll be others Henry Gill for Douglas Wilson - Hard act to follow tonight but did nothing wrong in his brief appearance. Matty Dixon for Devitt - I liked his style for a young un again and looked as though he can do more with minutes under his belt. Over all, the opposition were poor tonight and City really should have had more goals but for a brilliant display from Andy Warrington, and plenty of luck from woodwork and the top of Warrington's head on one occasion tonight I think. I d also give a mention to Rotherham's captain, Mitchel Rose, who I think could play in their first team very soon, if indeed he hasn't already.
With regard to Jackupovic I agree. There was an instance from a cross where he came for a ball and got nowhere near it, it was luck that nothing bad came of it. He made a save from a shot that was possibly going wide, but to be fair it wasn't worth risking. I think shot stopping he's fine. Townsend is a right beanpole, seems to be taller than i thought he was. I saw him at Grimbsy pre season and didn't notice it so much. If he can build on his strength and bulk up a little, I think he'll be challenging Dudgeon this time next season after another loan spell this season hopefully. Like you said in a centre back role his attacking qualities weren't on display. Cooper wasn't tested too much and looked untroubled mostly. As I said on the other thread if Bruce isn't considering him for the first team (however unjustified) he needs to be playing games so a loan may be the only option. Topliss was probably aided by having coops next to him, won a fair few headers. Did nothing outstanding, but nothing terrible. Steady. Yeah Wilson impressed out of the midfielders, he's a bit of a unit as well which should stand him in good stead at a senior level. Emerton was very lively and was always an outlet on the right. He got forward alot, but in an unfamiliar wingback role he also defended well enough and made a few decent tackles. Against a better winger though he possibly could have been shown up. McCaffrey and Margetts, I must have confused one with the other at times then as I thought McCaffery fluffed a chance or two. McCaffery was playing off Margetts a little deeper, but they both looked busy and caused Rotheram's centre halves problems.
I d be interested in another unemotional and realistic view on Jamie Devitt I think that was his best last night and I still can't see him playing much above 4th division.
Obviously I'm away at the moment, so wasn't there last night, but as you're already aware, I rate Devitt more highly than you(we have pretty much opposing views on Cullen and Devitt). I think his game is let down by being too easily knocked off the ball and having never actually won a header........ever. But I do rate his skill on the ball, I enjoy watching him play and I think he'll do well at any team that play to his strengths(particularly with his position, as I think his failings are less noticeable when he plays in the middle). He'll never be a Premier League footballer, due to those failings, but I do think he's capable of playing well above League Two.
I don't have so much of a downer on him as you do Mussie from the outset. I actually thought season before last he came into a struggling team and for a young player it wasn't fair. He's clearly a player with skill and ability on the ball in my opinion. I've just read Mullan's report in the HDM of it and he's rated Devitt as the star player. I wouldn't have gone that far tbh. He was involved a fair bit in our attacking play and had a couple of shots, one that went well over. His slightness is a still a problem for me. I've seen him play the role in the middle a lot more for the reserves and like OLM says maybe this suits him better, although managers will like the fact he can play either wing or in the middle. He was putting in some decent and dangerous corners. I'm not sure whether he'd add too much to our squad currently, but maybe Bruce thinks otherwise. Also if we have a couple more injuries to midfielders (touch wood we don't) then it would be interesting to see how he did in a team performing well.
two things OLM, unfortunately, my feelings on Mark Cullen are changing. His move to Bury was a make-or-break and it seems he is breaking. He will probably become another sad testimony to City's Youth development process like Hoolan and Bradshaw for instance before him. Having said that, I do like the style of Clemence and a fresh feel the early games suggest. They played well last night and it was refreshing to see the attacking freshness of their play as a team. A cohesive squad approach could actully bring better results over a season. Although the poor league format might just work against it. On Devitt, I have not changed my view, although he seems to be concentrating on a more central midfield role now with more expression in his play.
fair comments but I personally think that our first team squad lacks depth, and like Devitt, but with Cooper aside on his playing ability anyway, I cannot imagine any of the Reserves on show last night are yet realistically ready for the step-up. I really do hope that we keep this group of players together though, as I am suure that this will reap better rewards bringing kids through than our previous efforts have managed
