Reserves 1 Blackburn 1

[Diggerman]

470 at Whitley Park tonight on a lovely evening with a particularly dramatic sky. Blackburn fielded a beast called Sasha Petchi in centre midfield: 6"4' and twenty three years old. He was powerful and dominated Bigi and Liam Smith in the opening exchanges. Blackburn were certainly the better side for the first half hour and deserved their lead. It was Smith who lost the ball on the half way line and they broke well.

We finished the half stronger and Smith (one of the lads who got a professional contract at the end of last season) showed good pace and awareness to burst into the left channel before crossing for sub Jamie Sterry (another who got a contract) to bullet a header in from close range.

In the second half, it was similar. Blackburn were the better side until they took Petchi off (he'll probably be involved in the first team at the weekend I'd imagine) and then we finished in the ascendancy and probably should have won. Bigirimana made a splendid last ditch clearance to deny a certain goal half way through. Their keeper, Eastwood, made two flailing stops to keep distance drives from Ivan Toney and Liam Smith out. The second one was a great shot.

So, does anyone look capable of stepping up? Not really I'm afraid.

Darlow looked very hesitant. I couldn't hear him and he didn't come out to claim very much. For all Alnwick's faults, he certainly asserted himself more than this whenever I watched him at this level.

Right back, Mbabu: I don't think he reacts quickly enough. He's been around for a while now and I'm not impressed personally. I remember when he first arrived I was watching him warm up before coming on against Norwich and he was muttering in awe about how fast the opponents were. He seems a bit fragile to me.

Left back, Cameron: a big centre back really who didn't offer anything going forward.

Left centre back, Gillesphey: He normally plays left back but he was very steady tonight. He's composed and times his tackles well.

Right centre back, Satka: Looks to have filled out a bit and he's a good footballer but I still think he lacks muscle and presence.

Centre midfield (Anita role), Bigirimana: Looked much better when Petchi was off the pitch. Everything went through him and he dropped back to pick the ball up again and again. A couple of splendid passes and some assertive, driving runs with clever one twos. But this Petchi dominated him and this is the kind of player you get in the Championship and lower divisions. Overall, looked like our best player.

Centre midfield (Colback role), Smith: Some moments of quality with the build up to the goal and his late shot but I thought he was too slow in possession and he didn't impose himself consistently.

Right midfield, Gilliead: another one who's been around for a few years (and still hasn't got a contract). Didn't get into the game first half but was much better in the second when he moved inside and ran at the opposition. I think he needs to go out on loan.

Left midfield, Sterry: he switched with Gilliead a few times. He was substitute actually; he'd replaced Laidler after twenty minutes. Scored a decent header and was industrious but more defensive than offensive.

Number 10, Roberts: Didn't get into the game. A disappointment. We didn't see his pace and he was outmuscled too often. Seemed frustrated.

Centre forward, Toney: Pretty good. He's strong and quick. He came short and held the ball up well. He lashed in a few shots but he's not ready for the first team. He's still getting to know people I suppose. I'll watch his progress this season with interest.

Our setpieces were comical apart from one decent whipped cross from Roberts in the last minutes. The rest of them were awful; they looked like they'd been practised but they kept getting them wrong! Roberts and Bigirimana were the principal clowns in this respect.

And that was that. Keep an eye on Toney and let's hope that Bigi, Satka, Gilliead and possibly Gillesphey get out on loan somewhere to develop.

Did I mention the sky. Stunning: deep red behind moody fat clouds.

[Donkey Toon]

Thanks for that review, very informative

So doesn't sound like we have another young protege ready to make an impact on the first team then.

I was wondering about Sterry during the week, having read something when he got his contract. Supposed to be a decent full back, but was playing further forward tonight. Do you reckon' he would be better as a fullback? Or am I remembering things wrong and midfield is his position?

[bodacious benny]

Good review

I won't pin my hopes on any of them making the step up to the first team anytime soon by the sounds of it. Anyone with decent potential (e.g. Armstrong) has to be sent on loan to get competitive games. Reserve team football tells us very little.

[Chappy]

Doesn't seem like we pay much attention to youth development tbh, disappointing really. I've only ever seen our youngsters play through substitute appearances in the first team, and they've always been subbed on too late to make a difference.

[Diggerman]

Yes, Jamie Sterry is more of a right back I think. He's certainly not a winger.

[Over The Line]

Enjoyed this, especially the description of the clouds.

Few more pictures of the sunsent please next time.

[Yacob]

I think Sterry and Toney may be worth keeping an eye on. Roberts has been hugely overrated by our staff, when I watched the ressies last year, he never stood out and barely got a game at Gateshead.

[PTÄO]

Doesn't seem like we pay much attention to youth development tbh, disappointing really. I've only ever seen our youngsters play through substitute appearances in the first team, and they've always been subbed on too late to make a difference.

Aarons? Dummett? Carroll? Ferguson?
Our youngsters get attention, they are just s***.

[Chappy]

Doesn't seem like we pay much attention to youth development tbh, disappointing really. I've only ever seen our youngsters play through substitute appearances in the first team, and they've always been subbed on too late to make a difference.

Aarons? Dummett? Carroll? Ferguson?
Our youngsters get attention, they are just s***.

Well our youth recruitment needs looking at. We don't pay much attention to it and that's why they are s***. I don't think we manage them as well as we should.

[PTÄO]

Aarons? Dummett? Carroll? Ferguson?
Our youngsters get attention, they are just s***.

Well our youth recruitment needs looking at. We don't pay much attention to it and that's why they are s***. I don't think we manage them as well as we should.

I think it's both, a lack of natural talent and an unconstructive environment.

[Chappy]

Well our youth recruitment needs looking at. We don't pay much attention to it and that's why they are s***. I don't think we manage them as well as we should.

I think it's both, a lack of natural talent and an unconstructive environment.

Any promising youngsters in this country will be snapped up by the bigger clubs, why join us if you can join them

[PTÄO]

I think it's both, a lack of natural talent and an unconstructive environment.

Any promising youngsters in this country will be snapped up by the bigger clubs, why join us if you can join them

It's true, the only players we've had come through have been Geordies, so stayed with the club they love despite being good enough for elsewhere. The only exceptions I can think of are Aarons (released by Bristol City so clearly didn't look that good), and Ranger who was such a knob other clubs didn't want him as he'd been let go for being an arsehole and going to kids prison.