17 Dec 2021 10:45:09
It was great to see the amount of academy players not only in the squad but in the starting line up last night. Crazy that numerous managers have not had the nerve to blood at least one of them before now, even crazier to throw a few in at the same time. And against a team with title aspirations!
We've speculated as to why they were never given a chance for a while on here. One of the main questions was are they actually good enough? Well, I think the majority of them have answered that.
Simms did well without seeing too much of the ball. His hold up play and control was decent. I thought he was playing too deep a lot of the time but he put a shift in.
Braithwaite was superb. Can tackle, pass, his positional sense was good and he can run with the ball too. Took his goal well and looks like he will be an asset to our defence. Left sided too. He should be pushing Holgate out of the team, far better player and less of a liability.
Dobbins looked lively when he replaced Simms. Direct, bit of pace and didn't look out of place. He chased nearly every ball and looks like he can be a threat going forward. Timings me a bit of Greenwood from Utd.
Special mentions should go to Pickford and Gordon. JP had a tremendous game, made some fine saves and gave us a platform to steal a point.
Gordon continued to grow as a 1st team player, he was immense all game. Made up that he registered his first assist last night, great ball to the back post, and hopefully he will provide more chances from the wing in the future. The lad just needs a goal now!
On the flip side, I think Iwobi and Holgate need to be sold/ given away. MH is a liability, seems to think he's a bit of a hard man. He will cost us points giving away silly fouls and getting unnecessary cards. Had one good season for us but can't see him improving. Championship player at best imo.
Iwobi, what can I say that hasn't been said already? Just not good enough at this level. He might have great control and look good in 5 a side games but he's not cut out for premiership football. Always picks the wrong pass, can't cross and his shooting is woeful. Dobbins or Simms should be given game time on the wing ahead of him.
All in all, a good point away from home in trying circumstances. Rafa may have stumbled upon some capable, extra bodies to fill out a ravaged squad, he's has no choice but to keep these kids in and around the 1st team now. COYFB!
17 Dec 2021 10:50:50
That should say Dobbins reminds me a bit of Greenwood, not timings!
17 Dec 2021 10:54:19
Well if he doesn’t bp then he will lose any little support he has left.
Was getting sick of the “young players must be crap” if the manager doesn’t pick them. Well now we know.
17 Dec 2021 11:12:45
spot on! thow i would also add gomes to them 2 having to leave he is so slow lost every ball and like digne always makes unnecessary stupid fouls in dangerous areas.
17 Dec 2021 11:21:51
Very true, Woburn, Christmas has come a little bit early for rafa I think. Utilise the kids more and keep us fans happy.
Got to admit, I was questioning if they were good enough considering no manager has really used them before now. Can't ignore them now mate.
17 Dec 2021 11:21:57
He's got a great opportunity now to keep them in and say it was his idea all along.
17 Dec 2021 11:40:36
Joe, I'd give Gomes one more season to get back to the levels he was at before his injury. Only because he has a little bit more to offer than the ones we say should go. If no improvement then move him on as well.
BW, he can claim it was his idea all along providing he is using them and they are doing well mate. Just good to see them getting a chance and doing well.
{Ed025's Note - im just hoping he doesn,t revert to type BP and play the dead heads in the next game, but i have to say it would not surprise me if he did mate..
17 Dec 2021 11:42:21
Agree with the positivity re the youngsters but let's not get too carried away. Remember Tom Davies against city a few years ago? They've shown they have potential and that they deserve more chances but let's see how they go after a few games!
17 Dec 2021 11:50:20
Think we all are, ed025. He has the chance to turn his tenure around, let's hope he takes it and we find a bit of stability.
TD, agree with that mate. But, considering there were question marks over whether the kids were good enough, I think it was refreshing to see so many of them thrown in. Caution is needed but at least we know they can be useful to the 1st team.
17 Dec 2021 14:05:53
Let’s play devils advocate here.
Rafa has refused to play the youngsters before. However last night there was very little option but to use them.
However does anyone else think Rafa used so many last night as he wanted them to fail so he could further strengthen his position in not using them?
Personally I think that and obviously it backfired as they were amazing and proved they deserve their chance - I have a feeling Rafa may actually regret using them as it’s put him in an even tighter spot if he reverts to type and picks his favourites over the youngsters when for and we get served crap performances again as there’s no way he can say the youngsters aren’t good enough any more.
17 Dec 2021 14:23:41
Back to the old Agent Rafa trying to sabotage the club then it seems! My opinion is he likes experienced players and is too reluctant to put youngsters in but had no choice last night due to lack of options. rather than that he put them in hoping that they would do rubbish!
{Ed0666's Note - shock horror manager prefers experienced pros to rookies
17 Dec 2021 15:08:33
GD, that's not playing devil's advocate, that's basically a conspiracy!
I can't imagine any manager would purposely throw so many youth players into the team hoping for a defeat, just to prove a point. Especially rafa who's job is seemingly on the line. It's professional suicide. If anything, it has shown him that we have options available without having to break the bank for new players.
I agree with TD, he had little option but to do it last night. In the very least, it seems to bode well for the future.
Let's just all be happy that a manager has had to play some of them and that it worked out.
Whether you like rafa or not, accusations of unprofessional behaviour is a bit much mate.
17 Dec 2021 15:27:52
Dan you said it, some of us thought it. ?.
18 Dec 2021 02:23:52
GD
Whatever way you cut it RB has been proven to be wrong with not giving the youngsters a chance earlier
He can either embrace it and play them more often or revert to type.