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MATCH THREAD: Cambridge v Charlton Ath: BSMTrophy: Tues 17th Sept 2024: KO 19.10 +post-match p20
Comments
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Some very good individual performances with some stand outs, Cambridge were playing like a team desperate for their first win of the season so wasnt a cake walk at all, excellent showing from the "second" string. Not the dull 0-1 shut out we were expecting, some quick back to front, front foot playing, we still had our shakey moments but overall looked comfortable, could have been a higher score line but nothing to cry about. Another new goal scorer in Edun and Godden with his second of the season to boost his tally and get him some league form.
I'm not one for getting carried away with players, and certainly dont get rose tinted when it comes to our academy boys, but man, Zach Mitchell is and will be one hell of a player. Very tidy on the ball, confident and strong.
REG, maybe a little overshadowed by the above, but looked like he could easily slot into the starting 11 (and tbh, i would have him). Would love to see at some point a back 3 of REG (Pace) Z Mitchell (Ability) Jones (Presence).
Forgotten man Taylor, good game, broke up play well and has a very good delivery on him - Definitely gets ahead of Anderson on the bench...speaking of....
..Karoy, a bit like he was last season, looking good in patches but generally reminding you that hes still quite young and in-experienced.
Great to see Edwards back and getting some minutes.
Well, not a bad night really!
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Good god! Can they find any more ways to make this compétion more absurd?Callumcafc said:
You get a bonus point if you win a penalty shootout after a draw in 90 minutes.jimmymelrose said:Bromley have managed to get 2 points from one game! They really have been taking note of the explanations of @seth plum
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Don't want to get too carried away as it's 1) a cup game and 2) "only" Cambridge but it does look like we've fixed the perennial issue of "decent 11, terrible squad" that's plagued us for a few seasons where one or two bad injuries absolutely guts the squad.
I don't think that any of the players last night have forced themselves into the 1st 11 but if we did have injuries we look like having depth across the squad in terms of both energy and ability which will be vital to Jones' system3 -
What ever you think of this bizarre BSM Trophy tournament it gives minutes and matches to many players that are struggling for game time as we have two players for most positions plus youngsters so other than behind closed door friendly how do they get match fit.
Despite not being able to score for the first time in his career, Kanu just needs one to go in and he will score often like in his academy career as he works his socks off.
Zach Mitchell looks class and REG is decent. Hopefully the goal gives Edun confidence as he had underachieved since joining.
The enigma that is Terry Taylor at last showed that he can push for game time.
Karoy Anderson may have been frustrated at losing his 1st team place but that was an immature performance and Nathan Jones called out his rash challenge in the box that woke Cambridge up.
If you consider how poor the second string were in the FA cup tie at the Valley against Cray valley paper mills last season,that was a vast improvement.
Weird tournament but many positives to see who wants/deserves a place in the 18 man 1st team squad.7 -
Karoy with two silly fouls.0
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I know most people don't care about this trophy but i'd personally love a day out at Wembley. Good opportunity to win a trophy whilst giving the fringe players minutes10
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I know this competition comes in for some stick but I wouldn't mind a day out at Wembley again especially after the last few seasons. ~Bring back the feel good factor!
Nice to see that our whole squad is up to it and not one or two decent players in a cack team as it has been in recent times.
Good win to keep momentum going.5 -
Jones a fan of BSM Trophy, "This is a really good trophy, I like this trophy. We’ve come away, our first game in this one, and we’ve won the game.”4
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Think every positive has been stated on here but Terry Taylor's dead ball delivery was a standout, even the Sky Commentator called it. As for Karoy, ,I didn't think the second challenge was that bad but it's probably a challenge you don't make when on a booking . There was also Godden's performance as a highlight, in the box he got on the end of everything, probably could have had a hat trick if not for the keeper, but this was in part due to the service he received, something that has been missing so far this season. Plenty of food for thought for Nathan Jones.8
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I think you are right but it also gives options off the bench, Taylor could be a very good option with that dead ball delivery and Edun perhaps to replace a tiring Luke Berry in a game and still give us an attacking threat is not beyond a possibility.thenewbie said:Don't want to get too carried away as it's 1) a cup game and 2) "only" Cambridge but it does look like we've fixed the perennial issue of "decent 11, terrible squad" that's plagued us for a few seasons where one or two bad injuries absolutely guts the squad.
I don't think that any of the players last night have forced themselves into the 1st 11 but if we did have injuries we look like having depth across the squad in terms of both energy and ability which will be vital to Jones' system0 - Sponsored links:
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Could Coventry and Taylor work as a double-pivot in a 3-4-3 formation?0
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The only reason we've not seen Taylor is because it appears that he plays in the exact position that Coventry does.3
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Hoping that Zach Mitchell is OK.
I believe the reason Nathan Jones is so perky after that, is because if he has to drop anybody he can say to the player that he has other options justified in playing, because the talent and ability clearly doesn’t only rest with the current first eleven.
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People are being very harsh on Anderson here. He didn't have a good game yesterday. He's often careless on the ball and I get the impression last night he was a player who had lost his place and was trying to make up for it by showing off the attributes that saw him be a key part of Jones' team last season and start the first game of this season. He's aggressive, quick into a tackle and has the energy to keep up a strong press for the whole game. Last night he was extra that and it worked against him because it tipped over into some silly challenges. He tends to panic in possession trying to play the ball too quickly. Sometimes that works, he pulls off a nice pass round the corner and gets things moving on quickly, but more often he gives the ball away which can be frustrating. His involvement in the second goal against Bolton, pouncing on the loose ball after Coventry tackled their player and shifting it quickly on to Chuks set that opportunity up but moments like that are too rare. To be fair to him though I'd currently say the same about Docherty and Berry. We're really careless on the ball throughout the team and it feels like there's an inability so far to work through the ideals of being constantly on the move aggressively pressing the opposition's space whenever we're off the ball and then being 'relaxed' on it. Hopefully that will come with a bit more time and I wouldn't write off Anderson the same. He's got the attributes to be a very significant part of this team if he can settle on the ball a bit more, and given that he's only 19 there's plenty of time for him.18
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Indeed, his free kicks and corners are better but he is not as imposing or front foot as Coventry. Doubt there is room for both in the same 11.mendonca said:The only reason we've not seen Taylor is because it appears that he plays in the exact position that Coventry does.0 -
And kudos to NJ for getting this team up for a game which most people wrote off. With the exception of Campbell they all looked really up for it, and it was an enjoyable front foot game, unlike our league matches.3
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I think a league 2 loan would be the right strategy for himGarrymanilow said:People are being very harsh on Anderson here. He didn't have a good game yesterday. He's often careless on the ball and I get the impression last night he was a player who had lost his place and was trying to make up for it by showing off the attributes that saw him be a key part of Jones' team last season and start the first game of this season. He's aggressive, quick into a tackle and has the energy to keep up a strong press for the whole game. Last night he was extra that and it worked against him because it tipped over into some silly challenges. He tends to panic in possession trying to play the ball too quickly. Sometimes that works, he pulls off a nice pass round the corner and gets things moving on quickly, but more often he gives the ball away which can be frustrating. His involvement in the second goal against Bolton, pouncing on the loose ball after Coventry tackled their player and shifting it quickly on to Chuks set that opportunity up but moments like that are too rare. To be fair to him though I'd currently say the same about Docherty and Berry. We're really careless on the ball throughout the team and it feels like there's an inability so far to work through the ideals of being constantly on the move aggressively pressing the opposition's space whenever we're off the ball and then being 'relaxed' on it. Hopefully that will come with a bit more time and I wouldn't write off Anderson the same. He's got the attributes to be a very significant part of this team if he can settle on the ball a bit more, and given that he's only 19 there's plenty of time for him.1 -
Anderson is probably having a bit of second season syndrome. He had a breakthrough season but now he's back to being "just" a squad player and he's trying maybe a little bit too hard, as well as having to adapt to Jones' system/methods.
He's still very young and inexperienced, I think he can and will be a good player in time but it's a good thing overall that he's not a regular starter right now.2 -
Stoke conceding in the 91st minute cost me £450! Otherwise a good evening!1
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I suspect there was more of a case of the penny dropping for the players. The first half was a tough watch. The goals helped me stick it out until half time. I was tempted to not put the game on for the second half but did anyway. TBF, with wholesale changes in the first half we were never going to look like a team that was used to playing along side each other so credit to the players getting through that 45 minutes and finishing ahead. Second half we looked like a team and all the players seemed to be making a good case for a place on Saturdays team sheet. Nathan said in his interview that he likes this Trophy. So he should, using the games like he did last night is what is going win us promotion.Southbank said:And kudos to NJ for getting this team up for a game which most people wrote off. With the exception of Campbell they all looked really up for it, and it was an enjoyable front foot game, unlike our league matches.0 - Sponsored links:
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I don't think it would. He's a player who is part of our first team squad. Depending on what player needs a break it's between him and ACampbell to come in if we get an injury or need to rotate. Sending him down a division to play a different style of football to the one Jones is trying to hammer into the players will teach him nothing. He's exactly where he needs to be; training with the first team, getting coached in his deficiencies and getting enough football to make sure he's developing on the pitch. There's no value to us in a loancharente addick said:
I think a league 2 loan would be the right strategy for himGarrymanilow said:People are being very harsh on Anderson here. He didn't have a good game yesterday. He's often careless on the ball and I get the impression last night he was a player who had lost his place and was trying to make up for it by showing off the attributes that saw him be a key part of Jones' team last season and start the first game of this season. He's aggressive, quick into a tackle and has the energy to keep up a strong press for the whole game. Last night he was extra that and it worked against him because it tipped over into some silly challenges. He tends to panic in possession trying to play the ball too quickly. Sometimes that works, he pulls off a nice pass round the corner and gets things moving on quickly, but more often he gives the ball away which can be frustrating. His involvement in the second goal against Bolton, pouncing on the loose ball after Coventry tackled their player and shifting it quickly on to Chuks set that opportunity up but moments like that are too rare. To be fair to him though I'd currently say the same about Docherty and Berry. We're really careless on the ball throughout the team and it feels like there's an inability so far to work through the ideals of being constantly on the move aggressively pressing the opposition's space whenever we're off the ball and then being 'relaxed' on it. Hopefully that will come with a bit more time and I wouldn't write off Anderson the same. He's got the attributes to be a very significant part of this team if he can settle on the ball a bit more, and given that he's only 19 there's plenty of time for him.3 -
Haven't read any comments, so forgive me if this has been discussed. I know it's one match but any chance that Taylor has played his way into contention?2
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I think he played well but his issue is a lack of versatility. He's great in the holding role that Coventry plays but wouldn't be as good in the 8 role that Berry and Doc play. A Campbell can probably play both so is more likely to get that space on the benchwmcf123 said:Haven't read any comments, so forgive me if this has been discussed. I know it's one match but any chance that Taylor has played his way into contention?1 -
Might be controversial, but I'd be looking at dropping either Docherty or Berry for Taylor, probably Berry. Neither of those two have looked creative enough imo, and where we lack the creativity, Taylors dead balls could really help us in tight games.Southbank said:
Indeed, his free kicks and corners are better but he is not as imposing or front foot as Coventry. Doubt there is room for both in the same 11.mendonca said:The only reason we've not seen Taylor is because it appears that he plays in the exact position that Coventry does.
I think he's earned a start in the league, at the very least a place on the bench.
Very glad we didn't sell him as I think he could genuinely sneak his way into the starting XI and find himself remaining there.
Might be jumping the gun a bit, but that's just my gut instinct about him.7 -
Berry for me. No major with him as such but if he Taylor was given a chance initially, I would'nt grumble!Braziliance said:
Might be controversial, but I'd be looking at dropping either Docherty or Berry for Taylor, probably Berry. Neither of those two have looked creative enough imo, and where we lack the creativity, Taylors dead balls could really help us in tight games.Southbank said:
Indeed, his free kicks and corners are better but he is not as imposing or front foot as Coventry. Doubt there is room for both in the same 11.mendonca said:The only reason we've not seen Taylor is because it appears that he plays in the exact position that Coventry does.
I think he's earned a start in the league, at the very least a place on the bench.
Very glad we didn't sell him as I think he could genuinely sneak his way into the starting XI and find himself remaining there.
Might be jumping the gun a bit, but that's just my gut instinct about him.1 -
I'm not sure Taylor can play CM in our system. He did alright yesterday but it's a very different role.
Remember all the talk about Dobson & Coventry getting in each other's way last season. Taylor & Coventry is unlikely to be an improvement. Anyway it's all moot because it's highly unlikely that we'll see it.
There also must be a reason that Jones was happy to let him go.4 -
I know we should always be looking to improve but nothing says recency bias to me more than people looking to shoe horn either Taylor or Coventry into a position they don’t play based of one good performance from Taylor against arguably the worst team in our league.
I thought Taylor did very well last night, but ultimately he is Coventry’s competition and you are not going to drop Coventry on current form.The current set up and way we are playing currently has us second in the league. If Taylor or Coventry could play the roles Docherty or Berry are playing then I think we would have seen that already.3 -
Basically we're looking at Coventry vs Taylor - Docherty vs Campbell - Berry vs Anderson as the main midfield match ups, with Edun as the versatile option.
Although its not as "simple" as that
I still liked the look of the mobility of Kanu and Godden up top, especially as Kanu is probably our best Striker for putting in the leg work if nothing else... Id like to see them together in more away games, as teams haven't been sitting back against us on the road, and we saw vs Shrewsbury there was space to exploit.
But then it probably helped last night, that we did pass the ball through Cambridge more than what we've seen this season, if we resort to type on Saturday with long balls to Kanu and Godden, its not going to stick.
Kanu's ability to hold the ball up is drastically underrated too - The boy has definitely bulked up since this time last year0 -
I don’t really see Taylor and Coventry playing together in the team, they compete with each other.2
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I must have been watching a different game to everyone else. Second half Taylor started to play his corners along the ground to our player on the near post. Whether the idea is to then play it back to Taylor for a cross back into the box we'll never know as it never got back to Taylor.Southbank said:
Indeed, his free kicks and corners are better but he is not as imposing or front foot as Coventry. Doubt there is room for both in the same 11.mendonca said:The only reason we've not seen Taylor is because it appears that he plays in the exact position that Coventry does.
Why cant we just stick the ball into the box for a player to thump in a header ala Arsenal against Spurs on Sunday. Haven't seen that in years.2
