01-08-2016, 12:13
Thanks for the report Matt.
I think a friendly against a team like Buxton, that presents a physical challenge, is a good thing. Liam Graham can clearly play from what Pooch has observed, but it could be a team that relies on speed, physique and effort highlights the reason clubs take him on but he doesn't get a first team game. But it is early to despair, he played for Whitehawk at a level and type of football that would have presented a physical challenge. Maybe it was an off-day or perhaps the team's inexperience led to his poor performance.
I've been raving about Ricky German's potential, but he's at a point now where he needs to step out of academy football. He has to play against men, accept that physical challenge and display those attributes that lead our Juniors to look for him in every attacking move. I'm a big believer in if you're good enough you're old enough. But taking all those good things about your game with you into men's football is vital ....... and then you have to continue your development. It's a big jump and no one can tell how it will go. Ernie Moss did it, Kevin Davies flew it, Jordan Bowery made it and Tendayi transformed from a centre forward to a full back but he got there. But all too often Juniors reach competitive senior football and stop doing all the things that got them there in the first place. And they end up getting released with perhaps 3 first team appearances on their CV.
If you can't learn to handle Buxton, then Division One will be even harder and any higher ambition will be totally unrealistic. If it were down to me (thank god it's not) a promising youngster like German would either play in our reserves every week or get loaned out for a couple of months to a Buxton. When you're top of the young lads it's relatively easy to impress, but if you can do it when you're the baby of the team and you still don't shirk a challenge, then you're the real deal.
By the way every friendly report I've read when Humphreys is on the field he is one of our best players. Have we really got five better midfield players in the club than him? Will they work as hard, understand and read the game as well, pass the ball as well, tackle as well ..... and even score as often?
I think a friendly against a team like Buxton, that presents a physical challenge, is a good thing. Liam Graham can clearly play from what Pooch has observed, but it could be a team that relies on speed, physique and effort highlights the reason clubs take him on but he doesn't get a first team game. But it is early to despair, he played for Whitehawk at a level and type of football that would have presented a physical challenge. Maybe it was an off-day or perhaps the team's inexperience led to his poor performance.
I've been raving about Ricky German's potential, but he's at a point now where he needs to step out of academy football. He has to play against men, accept that physical challenge and display those attributes that lead our Juniors to look for him in every attacking move. I'm a big believer in if you're good enough you're old enough. But taking all those good things about your game with you into men's football is vital ....... and then you have to continue your development. It's a big jump and no one can tell how it will go. Ernie Moss did it, Kevin Davies flew it, Jordan Bowery made it and Tendayi transformed from a centre forward to a full back but he got there. But all too often Juniors reach competitive senior football and stop doing all the things that got them there in the first place. And they end up getting released with perhaps 3 first team appearances on their CV.
If you can't learn to handle Buxton, then Division One will be even harder and any higher ambition will be totally unrealistic. If it were down to me (thank god it's not) a promising youngster like German would either play in our reserves every week or get loaned out for a couple of months to a Buxton. When you're top of the young lads it's relatively easy to impress, but if you can do it when you're the baby of the team and you still don't shirk a challenge, then you're the real deal.
By the way every friendly report I've read when Humphreys is on the field he is one of our best players. Have we really got five better midfield players in the club than him? Will they work as hard, understand and read the game as well, pass the ball as well, tackle as well ..... and even score as often?