eLiving in St Albans, having the u21's play at Clarence Park provides a good opportunity to watch our young players . Clarence Park is a pleasant venue, with a good playing surface and a dinky wooden stand that is close to the action. At only £3 entrance and free parking in the park it is a good bargain. The game against Hull on Monday night was entertaining but frustrating. On paper we put out a strong team, with Gilmartin in goal and Hoban and Belkelem as centre backs. Several players who have been close to the first team were on show including Connor Smith, Jakubiak and Mensah, plus new professionals Lewis and Young. A couple of trialists were in our team, including a strapping defender Reiss Greenidge who has had a spell at Port Vale (taken off at half time). Watford started brightly and built some promising attacks. A good ball from Smith set Mensah through in a one-on-one with their goalie and he produced an excellent finish. I expected an easy victory. So too did the team it seems, because they sat back and allowed Hull to come back , even dominate the game, from then on. Hull were strong down their left hand side and from this quarter came crosses that resulted in two goals before half time. In the second half Hull were again quicker to the ball while Watford did not press enough in midfield. What a contrast to the first team on Saturday--not the Flores style at all. . Hoban missed a good headed chance and when Gilmartin fumbled a long range shot, allowing the impressive Tombides to score on the rebound, it was game over. The evening was summed up by the woeful free kick near the end from Lewis, that sailed out of play, troubling no-one. Johnson looked good in a defensive midfield role and Mensah is very quick. Martin , though clearly skilful, tried to beat too many men when he got possession and always lost the ball. But it was the tactics that seemed wrong--not enough pressing in midfield, and a lack of energy after the first 15 minutes .Lack of a threat from set-pieces was also evident. Kewell was on his feet on the touchline throughout, but was not a vocal presence, when the team seemed to need advice. The youngsters perhaps need time to get used to competitive football at this level , but with a lot of potential in the team one can only hope for better performances and results in future.
What can you say based on observation of his touchline behaviour? He was not very animated and did not attempt to influence or encourage the players from the touchline. Not a forceful touchline presence. He put out a 4-4-2 formation and made 3 substitutions (one at half time--the trialist replaced by Connor Stevens I think, and gave the second trialist ( Danilo Orsi-Dadona.) a run for the last 20 minutes. No change in tactics though. I suppose he is still learning the job--but then so are the players! Did Flores ask him to play Hoban and Bekelem? Does this mean that they are being kept match-fit for the first team squad, or that they are semi-detached from it?
I am tempted to get the train down early, have a couple in The Horn and watch a few games this season. Get's me out of the house!
