Just got back from the game,I have posted this on other forums: It finished 4-0 to the under 21s with two goals for Michael Smith one for Callum Harriott and one from Kevin Feely.It was a good all round display by the boys who thoroughly deserved the result.Michael Smith opened the scoring in the first half with a neat finish.He led the line very well with his strength and good hold up play.It stayed at 1-0 after 45 minutes.In the second half Callum Harriott scored the goal of the game when he dragged the ball back with his studs,beat a defender and rifled the ball left footed into the corner al la Messi.Smith earned himself a penalty when he jinked inside and was tripped in the area.He picked himself up and scored easily from the spot putting the ball to the goalkeepers right.The fourth came from a corner which Feely powered into the net with his head.My man of the match was Harriott who played in a central midfield position behind the two strikers.He caused Cardiff all sorts of problems.Michael Smith was close behind with an excellent Centre Forward display. Team: Pope Osbourne,Ajayi,Feely,Fox Cousins Jordan, Harris Harriott Smith,Pigott Subs Carr for Pigott, Subs not used Phillips,Holmes-Dennis,Gerard,Lennon Carr is on trial from Dulwich Hamlet.
Just got back. I enjoyed the game, it was pretty full-blooded although the 4-0 scoreline was a bit harsh on Cardiff. And the pitch was in great shape compared to the Valley. It was the first time I've seen Feely and he seems a good prospect, particularly in the shouting department. Michael Smith seems to have lost a pound or two and is much better for it. A real handful for 90 minutes and deserved his goals. Harriott was his usual duracell self and was rewarded with an individual goal. Jordan Cousins has gone back to playing defensive mid which is where he used to play. I can't see why a player who is outstanding at this level can't be considered at least as a squad player for the first team. On Saturday we had only one player in the team, Solly, who has progressed through the ranks. For me this is an awful statistic considering the number of good under-18 players we've had. Maybe we need to go back to the days when John Cartwright ran the Academy. He was not concerned with results, his aim was to give the apprentices a full football education by the time they were 18, and he didn't have a bad record, producing players like Parker, Konchesky, Rufus and Newton for Curbs' team. On the other hand, when you have a big squad of experienced players there is no way through anyway.
I think it's just the way the game has gone, FHB. With liquidation etc more prominent, people do seem massively reluctant than they once might have been to risk playing youngsters. I don't agree with it, but it's not just something that occurs at CAFC. We've been waiting for what feels like an eternity to see cousins in the first team, but he doesn't even seem to be a back up.
Yes a strange one there. A very intelligent player Cousins but doesn't look as though he's enjoying his football. A bit more enthusiasm would not go amiss. Harriott though has every right to feel aggrieved at his lack of game time. When you think of all the chances Kerkar got but I honestly can't think of any aspect of his game which is better than Callum's.
Jordan Cousins has been playing as a defensive midfielder all this season as I think that is where the management see him.You couldn't be more wrong when you say he doesn't look like he is enjoying his football,and a bit more enthusiasm is required.Whenever I have seen him,which is quite often.he has always given 100 per cent.Agree with you about Callum,he is improving all the time and will be the answer to our problems on the left of midfield.We don't have a player at the club like him,one who can beat a player with a bit of skill and use his pace to go past him.He is good enough to be in the first team at the moment.
Hope I'm wrong about Cousins, but I can't see any other reason why he hasn't forced his way into consideration for promotion to the bench. After all defensive mid is where he used to play when he was 16/17, so he knows a bit about it, and the only genuine def mid we have is Andy Hughes.
Another 3-0 win today, this time against Swansea. Once again Michael Smith the difference between the teams, scoring one himself after a defensive cock-up, and laying on the other two with two of the best crosses you could see to give Piggott and Ajayi simple headers. The bloke's a real workhorse, popped up all over the place causing problems. Credit to the defense Pope had another easy day, which meant I didn't have a good look at him, because I suspect he may be our best goalie.
