If anyone is interested in what the German and Bulgarian research team think of them...
Bajner would rank as our 17th best player (before any summer arrivals), between Nouble and Marriot amongst our strikers as 5th choice...potential to not get much better.
Bru would rank as our joint 10th best player, between Hyam and Wordsworth as our 3rd choice central midfielder....potential to get to level of a star player for a mid ranking Championship team.
Neither of them are good enough on the ball for us as a team to retain possession for any period of time, and we resort to lumping it forward far too often.
I felt last year having Chambo at RB was a weak link for ball retention as he was always left as the spare man to try, ususally unsuccesfully, to pick out a pass. The difference between those 2 and Hewitt and Parr in the 2nd half yesterday was chalk and cheese. Hewitt got forward excellently and combined well with Stewart, got a number of decent crosses in.
Chambers has to be one of our 3 options at centre back, and that only - while Smith, Berra and Chambers are 3 of our best 5(?) players - if we are to play 4 at the back then Mick has to make the big decision and bench one of them.
It was only pre season, but that 1st half with that back 4, and the too similar Hyam/Skuse axis in the middle was dreadful to watch, and so poor.
4 - Adam McDonnell Only 17 and looks a very good prospect. Passed it very well, both short and long - and knew when to force play intuitively. Read the game nicely and made a couple of good interceptions. Struck an excellent free kick which was very unlucky to hit the bar.
Admittedly, playing in a deep lying midfield role is easy to look good in sometimes, due to having a lot of time on ball but he looked a player.
5 - Ryan Robinson A couple of strong challenges and swept up nicely alongside Clarke as they spent the evening relatively unchallenged. Not the tallest so struggled a bit in the air but was decent for his size. Definitely worth another look at for a year in the development squad.
7 - Dylan Connolly Had good pace and wasn't afraid to run at his man, but little end product or understanding of the game, he's 19 and I wouldn't have him near the 1st team judged on yesterdays evidence so I would guess that he's just a player that looks good in Ireland.
8 - Kevin Bru Neat and tidy, not a lot more. Pulled out of a couple of challenges and while his distribution was good I'd expect a 25 year old to have been absolutely head and shoulders above that level if going to even get close to 1st team and he just wasn't. Did some things well but nowhere near enough.
9 - Leroy Lita Looked rusty but drew a couple of fouls in dangerous positions that would have led to at least a caution in real matches, so still has that ability to get in behind. Nothing needs to be said about his goal other than he was alert - but I'd like to see him get at least 45 minutes tonight or on Saturday v Gills to see him against some proper defenders.
10 - Achille Campion Started off very nicely with a couple of neat touches but faded out of the game after 10 minutes. he must have a very good agent to have had trials here, Sheff Weds and Yeovil because he is in no way good enough.
When Matt Clarke and Tyrone Mings had possession early in the 2nd half, no real movement in front of them and after about the 5th pass between those 2 as we kept possession looking for a decent pass in a pre season friendly someone shouts "F**king get it forwards"
When Marriott hits that 1st shot which he dragged wide from 25 yards, guy behind me says to his mate: "That's why he won't make it, he has to do better with chances like that"
Bear in mind I was in NS so saw defence more closely in 1st half and attack in 2nd
Gerken - nothing to really do Hewitt - struggled up against a very lively Jarvis, didn't get much support Mings - defended very well Clatke, defended well, comfortable in ball, few wayward passes but kept his head up Berra - looked very good Stewart - looked lightweight and seemed to go missing after a heavy tackle Henshall - tiny, but quick and not afraid to ship over decent crosses Bishop - great battle with Noble, tackled well and used ball well mostly Skuse - still doesn't do enough for me, needs to get out of comfort zone Marriott - bustling, good movement and a great run. Nouble - hmmmmm
Bialkowski - one good reflex save, not much else to do Parr - great engine, got forward well Wystt - did really well v Vaz Te defensively and used ball well. Impressive Chambers - looked much more comfortable at CB Smith - picked up where he left off last year Anderson - got involved and used it well Tabb - looks lively until he gets the ball then flatters to deceive Veseli - very tidy and willing in midfield, could be a good option Hyam - great pressing and a couple if really good forward passes Taylor - pretty poor, seemed to be trying too hard Murphy - couple if decent moments
Another player sent out on loan to develop, but the loan spell has basically been first step on road to release.
Over last 2 years we've loaned out Jack Ainsley, Joe Whight, Ronan Murray, David October, Josh Carson, Tom Winter and more out and haven't seemingly given any of them a chance back here. Seems like Freddie Veseli is going down the same route now - Phil's comments seem to suggest Hewitt might too?
What are we getting so wrong with our youth development? Do people think Marriott will play mire games for ITFC this year or out on loan? We seem to use the loan system so poorly with our own players....
Think we played our best footy under Mick with Stearman at right back with Edwards in front and changing constantly between 442 and 352 at back end of 12/13 season - now with Chambers still looking like a centre back playing right back I think it'd work well with Hewitt.
352 seemed to be back in vogue at the WC with a lot of teams playing 2 up top in the Championship I think it could work well in this division.
