Just back from Squires Gate.

Insider

Insider

Well-known member
Well actually been back a while and in fact will be off again soon to Southport.
Enjoyable evening. I knew a little bit about the starting 11 but very little about the "newbies" that came on 2nd half.
I thought Strawn (no.8) looked good, Apter showed his class in the first half but faded a little.
Bange did what he does best. Played simple but affective "target man" football.
Because of where I was standing I got a close up view of Seb Wylie at LB and I thought he played very well.
The big No. 4 was a trialist and he looked fairly comfortable.
In the second half we saw the return of Cameron Hill (the other big defender). He was signed on a pro deal from Salford this time last year (as a 2nd year scholar) but never featured for the Youth team after Christmas.
The "livewires" up front were Arnold Matshazi (first half), 2nd half Prince Yelegon (both of whom I have seen before) and Dannen Francis who I haven't seen.
Just one more to mention and that's Kron Abdiu who came on late and assumed the Captain's armband. First impression was very good.
For those I haven't mentioned well played as part of an overall fine team performance.
Couple of rumours about a "development squad" being put together for next season (maybe it will get a mention at the Structured Dialogue meeting) and a couple of young pro's going out on loan, allegedly.
Onwards and upwards.
#5for25.
 
Last edited:
Such a gulf to bridge between a pre-season friendly against unfit, unorganised amateurs and the first team in the Championship but it would be nice one day to finally see one or two of these names grow to become stars.
 
Thanks insider.

I liked the look of Bange when he played v Carlisle in the Papa John's, albeit my only reservation was that he played with his back to goal.
 
Kron Abdiu thanks Insider, he had some real poise in attacking c/mid. Hope he gets a longer run out.
 
We could certainly do with a Development squad or similar. Regular games, played the Blackpool way.
All well and good to go out on loan, but not if they spend 6 months bench warming or told to play hoofball
 
Insider said:
Well actually been back a while and in fact will be off again soon to Southport.
Enjoyable evening. I knew a little bit about the starting 11 but very little about the "newbies" that came on 2nd half.
I thought Strawn (no.8) looked good, Apter showed his class in the first half but faded a little.
Bange did what he does best. Played simple but affective "target man" football.
Because of where I was standing I got a close up view of Seb Wylie at LB and I thought he played very well.
The big No. 4 was a trialist and he looked fairly comfortable.
In the second half we saw the return of Cameron Hill (the other big defender). He was signed on a pro deal from Salford this time last year (as a 2nd year scholar) but never featured for the Youth team after Christmas.
The "livewires" up front were Arnold Matshazi (first half), 2nd half Prince Yelegon (both of whom I have seen before) and Dannen Francis who I haven't seen.
Just one more to mention and that's Kron Abdiu who came on late and assumed the Captain's armband. First impression was very good.
For those I haven't mentioned well played as part of an overall fine team performance.
Couple of rumours about a "development squad" being put together for next season (maybe it will get a mention at the Structured Dialogue meeting) and a couple of young pro's going out on loan, allegedly.
Onwards and upwards.
#5for25.
Click to expand...
Score?
 
Insider said:
Couple of rumours about a "development squad" being put together for next season (maybe it will get a mention at the Structured Dialogue meeting) and a couple of young pro's going out on loan, allegedly.
Onwards and upwards.
#5for25.
Click to expand...

There was a report on the BFC website about the game.
Perhaps significantly it included this:

"The Seasiders lined up with a mixture of U23s and U18s for the fixture."

Never seen any mention on the official site before of "U23s". Maybe a pointer toward a development squad.
 
BigHandsOliverKahn said:
Such a gulf to bridge between a pre-season friendly against unfit, unorganised amateurs and the first team in the Championship but it would be nice one day to finally see one or two of these names grow to become stars.
Click to expand...
Harsh to call them unfit & unorganised. That’s the level of football you get in the 9th tier - that Blackpool youth team is a very good side and would batter anyone in Gate’s league.
 
jta8 said:
Harsh to call them unfit & unorganised. That’s the level of football you get in the 9th tier - that Blackpool youth team is a very good side and would batter anyone in Gate’s league.
Click to expand...
I agree that’s harsh, very even contest in the first half. Squires did tire but Blackpool were able to change all 11 to keep legs fresh.
 
jta8 said:
Harsh to call them unfit & unorganised. That’s the level of football you get in the 9th tier - that Blackpool youth team is a very good side and would batter anyone in Gate’s league.
Click to expand...
Also, it's disorganised. 👍
 
My view for what it's worth, as its the first time I've ever seen both teams.

Yes fitness was a huge factor of course, I think at least four of the goals came in the last 10-12 minutes. But to call Gate disorganized is very unfair on them, they were working hard on it throughout the game and had a couple of big leaders on the pitch in centre defence and midfield.

Had to feel a little sorry for their keeper, only a young lad. Spilled one but only our forwards reacted to it, got very close to Bange's penalty.

It was a hard game too, lots of big challenges on both sides. Ins had already mentioned the lads who stood out. We changed the entire forward line with 15 left, and yes they got lots of joy against the tired defence. Was great to watch actually, the closing down ethic obviously already endemic through the whole club.

I already wish I could fast forward a couple of years and see where the stand out lads of our team end up. There's some very exciting talent there, too early of course to tell what level they'll be best suited to. But if it's with is and we're still second tier, strap in folks it's going to be good.
 
CGP1 said:
My view for what it's worth, as its the first time I've ever seen both teams.

Yes fitness was a huge factor of course, I think at least four of the goals came in the last 10-12 minutes. But to call Gate disorganized is very unfair on them, they were working hard on it throughout the game and had a couple of big leaders on the pitch in centre defence and midfield.

Had to feel a little sorry for their keeper, only a young lad. Spilled one but only our forwards reacted to it, got very close to Bange's penalty.

It was a hard game too, lots of big challenges on both sides. Ins had already mentioned the lads who stood out. We changed the entire forward line with 15 left, and yes they got lots of joy against the tired defence. Was great to watch actually, the closing down ethic obviously already endemic through the whole club.

I already wish I could fast forward a couple of years and see where the stand out lads of our team end up. There's some very exciting talent there, too early of course to tell what level they'll be best suited to. But if it's with is and we're still second tier, strap in folks it's going to be good.
Click to expand...
Hopefully the lads will be given the time to progress, a u23 side would definitely help with that as well as being able to arrange loan deals. Most of the young pros on 1 year deals. It will take 3-4 years for them to be ready.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top