Popular Post OutByEaster? Posted February 4, 2020 Moderator Popular Post Share Posted February 4, 2020 Right then, some thoughts: With a few now gone out on loan our line up was a little bit of a surprise - Keinan Davis up front and a midfield duo of Vassilev and Tait who’d been up front and on the wing respectively in our last game. New to me were Kaine Kesler at right back, Sen Revan at left back, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, and I’m not sure if I’ve seen Bradley Burton the centre back before. Mungo Bridge got the Captains armband. Albion included Chris Brunt and Rakeem Harper who’ve both featured for their first team this season and a pretty experienced line up at this level throughout their side. Brunt brought a packet of Werthers originals to hand out to the young uns. The name that was missing was Louis Barry, sadly his international clearance hadn’t come through in time for last night’s game which is a pity as he could have walked home. A bright start under the lights in front of a packed stand at Bodymoor saw the first chance come our way with Davis and Vassilev combining for a shot sent wide, but Albion looked strong and turned pressure into a goal on 13 minutes - a cross that went through our box was controlled by Clayton-Phillips who hammered a volley into our net to put the Tesco ahead. There were chances galore and only a really good double save/block prevented them doubling their lead immediately, Tulloch hit the bar with a lovely curling shot for them before Tyreik Wright shot wide for us. On 25 minutes, Davis powered into the box and with a defender tracking him smacked a shot which their keeper somehow managed to palm onto a post and keep out - it proved too much for Keinan’s delicate muscles and after a bit of on field stretching from the physio he was ushered off the pitch. I’m hoping it’s nothing too serious - when it’s a hamstring I don’t think they usually try to stretch it out - he looked disappointed, but then he often does, he’s got a slightly sad face at the best of times. With big Keinan off, four foot ten(ish) Cameron Archer came on and posed a different question of the Albion back four with his pace as we continued to apply pressure while Albion continued to look threatening going forward. It told with a foul on Tait just after the half mark which brought us a penalty. Now in fairness to Tryeik Wright, it wasn’t the worst penalty I’ve seen, it was firmly hit, but not in the corner and at a good height. The Albion keeper got a good hand to it and kept it out. I’ve seen worse go in, but the keeper was really good on the night and looked like saving this one from the moment it was hit. The half stayed end to end with Philogene-Bidace (who I’m going to call JPB) joining the list of those that had whacked a post and Albion making good chances at the other end. It was a really good half of football, entertaining, well fought and full of skill and endeavour. The second half matched it. Albion started well and forced a great goal line clearance from Revan but with JPB looking sharp and Mungo Bridge getting a grip on things at the back we were starting to get on top. The Brunt fan club thoroughly enjoyed the booking he picked up and even more so their discovery that they could comedically influence the peculiar linesman in front of them. Wright was replaced by Hooper and Tait by Chukwuemeka and we started to turn the screw. The last fifteen minutes of the game were all Villa, Kesler and JPB creating lots of crossing opportunities down the right and Revan and Hooper combining well down the left, Albion managed to scramble the ball away from JPB when he looked through in the box, he put one over the bar from distance and then powered a volley from a great Archer ball just wide during a period when it looked like WBA vs JPB. We finished with a wild effort from Vassilev and another good save from their keeper from Kesler but couldn’t find a way though despite huge pressure. A 1-0 win for Albion but a really good game and a young Villa side giving a really great account of themselves. This Albion side are experienced, powerful, organised and talented - this was their sixth straight win - but a Villa team that included a number of players fresh from the U18’s did more than enough to get something out of the game and can be proud of themselves. Ratings: Sinisalo (6) - He made a couple of really good saves and looked solid and importantly for a keeper didn’t look like doing anything wrong. Revan (6) - initially I was nonplussed, but he grew into the game and finished strongly - when I got home and checked his age I was surprised to find out just how young he is - the only sixteen year old in our line up and in context that makes his solid performance all the more impressive. He’s clearly spent some of those sixteen years in the weight room, he’s got a set of shoulders on him and he looks like he’ll be a decent physical specimen. Promising. Burton (6) - the least noticeable of the new players -which for a centre back isn’t a bad thing - given the quality of what was coming at him, it’s a decent performance. Bridge (8) - he’s tall but slight, with fancy hair and he looks a little bit too pretty to be a centre back - but he loved the responsibility of the armband and put in a captains performance at the back - we know he can look stylish on the ball, and we know he’s quick, but he won a whole lot of headers against bigger men and threw himself into tackles with determination and heart. Not too pretty for the gritty and impressive in a resolute display of manful defending. This is the best game I’ve seen him have. Kesler (7) - we had a chat in the week about the man he replaced, Jake Walker. Kesler is as much a modern fullback as Walker is an old fashioned one - he’s quick, mobile, got a really good engine, gets forward really well, takes on defenders and gets crosses in. For a youngster in a big game he looked very much at home. Birch (6) - did all the ugly stuff, sat in front of the back four and kept Brunt and Harper at bay - it’s a hard job and it’s not the most glamorous - but he stuck at it and did well. Tait (6) - looked comfortable when he drifted wide and dangerous when he ran at people - didn’t look quite at home in the middle of the park, but he added some brightness to our play. Vassilev (6) - ran after everything, battled with everyone and put in a real shift. It didn’t quite come off for him on the ball, but no matter what else is or isn't working his graft is always there. Philgene-Bidace (8) - Sound the talented youngster gong; I think we’ve got a good one! He’s lovely on the ball, able to take defenders on on either side, with great feet and a desire to make things happen. At times he looked imperious and he troubled Albion all night. Unlucky not to score and non-stop for the whole game, he’s a delight to watch and looks a real prospect. Every now and then he put me in mind of Mark Walters. If he’s like this every week I’m all-in. Silky. Wright (6) - penalty miss aside he gave a decent display down the wing and though the middle - he’s determined and talented - a couple of tough games for him, but he’s developed this season and he did well. I’d bet my house on him putting his next penalty away. Davis (6) - looked a handful before he went off - you know what he’s about, the big square shoulders, the muscular runs, the ability to hold the ball up. Unlucky not to score - it was a really good save from the keeper. subs: Archer (7) - busy and effective, stretched the Albion defence and allowed the space down the sides for JPB and co. Almost scored when his pace took him past the defensive line and kept the Albion on the back foot throughout the second half. Hooper (6) - came on and did reasonably well down the left, he’s got shoulders like a bull and he worked the right back hard, maybe needs a trick or two but he did alright. Chukwuemeka (6) - first thing he did was burst through the middle then leave the ball behind - what I liked about him was that he didn’t let that bother him, he was willing, he gets on the ball and he makes good runs through the middle - he looks tall and athletic and settled into it well. He’s interesting, I hope to see more of him. For Albion, their enormous goalkeeper was exceptional and they looked a strong side - no one stood out as needing to make an immediate trip to Barcelona, but there were some good players here and I can’t credit our spirited performance against them enough - it’s as near as it gets to a good defeat. And there you go - that’s a lot of words and I haven’t mentioned Albion’s lanky sub striker, the cold, how funny Mark Delaney is, the terrifying bang on the head the Albion right back took, or how much fun it was to watch. There’s a lot happens in these games! Overall, I thought we played well and introduced a whole lot of youngsters that I think we can be quietly excited about. 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted February 4, 2020 Moderator Share Posted February 4, 2020 1 minute ago, AndyClarke said: We talked about Jake Walker last week, you can see how solid he is a '7 out of 10', a proper fullback. These two however, are exciting talents with their repeated swashbuckling runs forward causing West Brom a massive headache. Modern defenders, it is exciting to see if not a little hair raising at times. Weird that we both posted that same thought at the same time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyClarke Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 On Mungo Bridge, love his style but he is a bit chaotic and naive for me at the moment. He has a lot going for him though, but needs a lot of direction from the dugout, would love to see him make it though for all of the reasons above!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyClarke Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 1 minute ago, OutByEaster? said: Weird that we both posted that same thought at the same time! Haha, that is brilliant. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaVilla Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 im weirdly hopeful for our current batch of youth, hopefully a few will start to make inroads towards the senior squad in the next 6-36 months? Sarkic - Do we think he will make it? Bridge - heard he's quite a talent? Revan - same? J.Ramsey - doing well at Doncaster?, looks a talent. A.Ramsey - younger brother of Jacob?, also heard he seems a talent? Vassilev - been impressed with him in his cameo's recently. Barry - no comment needed. O'Hare - not sure he will make it, 21 and plying his trade in league 1? (doesnt his contract run out this summer?) Any others i have missed who also look like they have real potential? (Archer?, Walker?, Bazely-Graham?, Bidace?) If even even 3 or 4 of them end up progressing to the senior squad, would be really impressive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyClarke Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) Jacob Ramsey is the one who will make it from this bunch, jury is out on a few others. Tyreik Wright is a big talent but has cut a frustrated figure in the last couple of games, his attitude wasn't right last night. Cameron Archer has a lot going for him, the kid is rapid and getting stronger, with 1 up front though you have to be a special player unless you are 6 foot+. Beyond those 2, the younger lads haven't had an opportunity to make their mark at this level (Aaron Ramsey, Harrison Sohna etc). Unpopular opinion, I don't think Vassilev is good enough and there are a few others who are filling out the numbers as opposed to being likely first team players in my opinion. Edited February 4, 2020 by AndyClarke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 7 hours ago, BOF said: 'The kid with the dreads' ... Bridge, who hails from Daventry, Northamptonshire, isn't your typical centre-back either - far from it in fact. With cool dreadlocks and gleaming-white boots Bridge, who has been courted by AC Milan previously, has an aura about him. ... Was this article written by @sir_gary_cahill? Focusing on his looks... Only joking SGC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 (edited) Edited February 5, 2020 by useless 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 20 hours ago, AndyClarke said: On Mungo Bridge, love his style but he is a bit chaotic and naive for me at the moment. He has a lot going for him though, but needs a lot of direction from the dugout, would love to see him make it though for all of the reasons above!! He sounds like the style of defender Sheff United are using with the false centre back system. I am not too clued in on the youth team but if we get any injuries he will be the next defender in line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted February 5, 2020 Author Moderator Share Posted February 5, 2020 5 minutes ago, Zatman said: If we get any injuries he will be the next defender in line? I'd say he would have to be the first from the u23s to step up since Suliman left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir_gary_cahill Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 1 hour ago, BOF said: I'd say he would have to be the first from the u23s to step up since Suliman left. What about Revan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siminjo Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 13 hours ago, sir_gary_cahill said: What about Revan? Yes seems like he hasen`t played lately, how come? Is he injured? (talking about Dominic) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir_gary_cahill Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 3 minutes ago, siminjo said: Yes seems like he hasen`t played lately, how come? Is he injured? (talking about Dominic) I don’t know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted February 6, 2020 Author Moderator Share Posted February 6, 2020 Friday 14th 11 Fulham v 6 Villa 2 Man Utd v 7 Swansea 8 Newcastle v 12 Sunderland Monday 17th 9 Reading v 5 Boro 3 WBA v 10 Norwich 1 West Ham v 4 Stoke We have to win that. Reading are on a terrible run so Boro will likely win their game. Stoke are going to lose so we will hopefully both make up that ground. That will hopefully put daylight between us & Swansea as they lose away to Man Utd. Newcastle's inevitable win (+local motivation == probable hiding) against Sunderland will bring them just about into contention for playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted February 11, 2020 Author Moderator Share Posted February 11, 2020 I've removed Ethan Patterson & Charlie McConnachie from the squad list. They hadn't been in any matchday squad this season and after closer inspection it seems Patterson is either without a club or had trials with Ipswich's U23s and McConnachie is with Coventry Sphinx since August. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted February 14, 2020 Moderator Share Posted February 14, 2020 Tonight's game is on FFCTV, but you'd have to buy a monthly pass for a fiver. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted February 14, 2020 Moderator Share Posted February 14, 2020 We're live in the club match centre. https://www.avfc.co.uk/Fixtures/2010-to-2019/2019-2020/English-Premier-League-2-Division-Two/Fulham-U23-vs-Aston-Villa-U23?MatchDetails=1 Quote 0 Lineups are announced and players are warming up. Where flip all is happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted February 14, 2020 Moderator Share Posted February 14, 2020 We have live text commentary on that page! It's figure out the team as you go, but I can confirm that Tait is playing. AVFCtwitter have updated twice, once to tell us Grealish has had an upgrade in a game and once to sell us retro tracksuits. On the ball as ever! 8 minutes in and Bridge has committed a foul - he's playing - that's two we know. 24 minutes, still 0-0 and we've also got Archer, Birch and JPB - no news on whether Barry is involved. Seb Revan is also in. Brad Burton also in the side - still 0-0. Bugger. 1-0 down - De La Torre for them. Tyreik Wright booked - that's eight of the first team plus a keeper we know about. 1-0 at Half time - we need to turn this one around. Aaron Ramsey becomes the ninth Villa player mentioned. I'm guessing no Barry tonight. Still 1-0 after 53 minutes. Kane Kessler mentioned - that means we now know all the starting line up except the keeper - Sea and big Chukwuemeka on as subs - no Vassilev or Barry this evening. Still losing after 73 minutes. 2-0 five minutes left - all over. I think that might be an end to our hopes for the season. Disappointing on more than one level this evening. (Mostly with the coverage from the club) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted February 14, 2020 Author Moderator Share Posted February 14, 2020 I think age-wise it's probably fair enough. Next season will be different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unused Sub Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 On 14/02/2020 at 19:08, OutByEaster? said: We have live text commentary on that page! It's figure out the team as you go, but I can confirm that Tait is playing. You have no idea how much this has tickled me. As an amateur researcher into the club, I have spent many an hour going through match reports trying to fathom what the team was. The club has played football matches in three different centuries and yet after all this time we still have to sieve through what scraps of information are available to figure out what’s going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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