HertfordSpur
Member
- Aug 5, 2004
- 612
- 2
Went along to Gander Green Lane this evening to watch the youngsters in a friendly with Sutton Utd (Isthmian League Premier). Just around the corner from where I grew up and only down the road from me nowadays.
Anyone else go? There wasn't a very vocal support for the Spurs but, hey, it's a friendly.
Strange, there's nothing on the official website in terms of team news.
Dean Parrett and John Bostock were the most senior players on display and played about 80 and 60 minutes respectively both in central midfield. Other than that, given the amount of fringe squad players on loan, it was mainly youngsters.
Lee Butcher (GK), Nathan Byrne, Sam Cox, Anton Blackwood, Olumide Durojaiye, Ryan Fredricks, Dean Parrett, Kudus Oyenuga, John Bostock, Paul-Jose M'Poku Ebunge plus one other who's name I couldn't pick out and who wasn't on the programme.
There were about six subs made including Thomas Carroll and Jake Nicholson.
We played well in the first half although could have been a bit more urgent and made more of our possession. We went in 1-0 up courtesy of a good goal from M'Poku. Sutton weren't much of a threat. Things changed in the second half, especially with the subs being made. By bringing off some of the older and stronger players (esp. Bostock), after sixty minutes we got a bit overrun. Sutton were very physical and well organised - much older guys playing against kids really. This was their last friendly before the season and it showed. Their second goal was well taken and demonstrated their strength in the air. We almost equalised twice in stoppage time including a goal line clearance.
As for promising performances, I thought Sam Cox did well at LB. Kind of a younger looking BAE. Good feet and close control. Bostock looked good but you get the feeling that both him and Parrett were instructed to sit back and lay the ball off to the youngsters around them rather than get forward - they were very vocal with the team. M'Poku is very strong - once he came off we struggled to hold the ball up. One final mention - Thomas Carroll looks like a stiff breeze would blow him away but he got totally stuck in when he came in at LB during the second half. Some good skills and guile from him. Got under the skin of their right winger despite him being probably half his weight!
I think Allen and his team will find it harder to compete this year given our change in policy not to compete in a reserve league. With Mason, Townsend, Obika, Livermore, Archibald-Henville, Pekhart, Button, Smith et al all on loan (rightly so), it's going to be hard work.
COYS!
Anyone else go? There wasn't a very vocal support for the Spurs but, hey, it's a friendly.
Strange, there's nothing on the official website in terms of team news.
Dean Parrett and John Bostock were the most senior players on display and played about 80 and 60 minutes respectively both in central midfield. Other than that, given the amount of fringe squad players on loan, it was mainly youngsters.
Lee Butcher (GK), Nathan Byrne, Sam Cox, Anton Blackwood, Olumide Durojaiye, Ryan Fredricks, Dean Parrett, Kudus Oyenuga, John Bostock, Paul-Jose M'Poku Ebunge plus one other who's name I couldn't pick out and who wasn't on the programme.
There were about six subs made including Thomas Carroll and Jake Nicholson.
We played well in the first half although could have been a bit more urgent and made more of our possession. We went in 1-0 up courtesy of a good goal from M'Poku. Sutton weren't much of a threat. Things changed in the second half, especially with the subs being made. By bringing off some of the older and stronger players (esp. Bostock), after sixty minutes we got a bit overrun. Sutton were very physical and well organised - much older guys playing against kids really. This was their last friendly before the season and it showed. Their second goal was well taken and demonstrated their strength in the air. We almost equalised twice in stoppage time including a goal line clearance.
As for promising performances, I thought Sam Cox did well at LB. Kind of a younger looking BAE. Good feet and close control. Bostock looked good but you get the feeling that both him and Parrett were instructed to sit back and lay the ball off to the youngsters around them rather than get forward - they were very vocal with the team. M'Poku is very strong - once he came off we struggled to hold the ball up. One final mention - Thomas Carroll looks like a stiff breeze would blow him away but he got totally stuck in when he came in at LB during the second half. Some good skills and guile from him. Got under the skin of their right winger despite him being probably half his weight!
I think Allen and his team will find it harder to compete this year given our change in policy not to compete in a reserve league. With Mason, Townsend, Obika, Livermore, Archibald-Henville, Pekhart, Button, Smith et al all on loan (rightly so), it's going to be hard work.
COYS!
