An unexpectedly enjoyable game, I guessed we'd be playing only 2 first teamers, but we started with 5 (Antony, Amadou, Cameron, Kyrell and Medy) so it was more reflective of our normal team than I'd expected.
We had the obvious problem of fielding a whole team that don't normally play together (5 first teamers and 6 youth players) but really knitted well together. Charlton had the advantage of fielding a side that normally plays more together, but it was a very evenly matched game. The young Welling players were very promising, particularly in defence, as the defence was all youth players, but defended and cleared really well. We ended up playing with 9 youth players, and actually seemed to play better then.
Great goal from Antony, seeing Ade play has taught Antony the importance of closing keepers down to force mistakes, so Antony did just that, forcing a keeper clearance that led to the goal, with a nice finish into the far post.
Charlton impressed me going forward, unlike us they understand the importance of attacking as a team, so when they got the ball in midfield they made a wave of their players sprinting forward, I counted 7 in an attack, and when we next attacked we only had 4 moving up, and that has been a massive problem we should have fixed 6 months ago, as it is one of the reasons we score so little. So Charlton showed what happens when you get that right, and it made our defensive performance all the better for having such an attacking team to defend against. The whole match is on YouTube, worth a look, particularly the 87th minute!
Not sure if feeney took the team aside from ensuring the subs were made but if it was the u23 manager who set them up; the likes of lisbie, kassarate, Antony pap all looked much better & playing to strengths. Was pleasantly surprised even the academy lads special mention to guy who came on up top and the back 4, they held their own against players in a pro academy and an academy that includes some of that xi in match day squads, and is v competitive.
Enjoyable game and the youngsters acquitted themselves well.
Lisbie had a very good first half playing against people his own age and therefore was able to handle the physical side of things in this particular game without any problems. Good that Elito was back but surprised he was only given 45 minutes although that might have been precautionary after a month out. Andrews another one who impressed and another one subbed early with the weekend in mind (hopefully) Didn't realise Kassarate was eligible to play but good to give him 90 minutes to keep up his match fitness - one wonders why the same principle didn't apply to Stefan Payne who, by my reckoning, will be available on Easter Monday and therefore presumably could have done with a run out last night..??
There are definitely some promising players coming through and the two centre backs last night impressed me and I have seen the kid who came on up front at half time and he definitely has something about him going forward.
