Chelsea’s Cobham training ground was the venue for the most recent U21 game which saw Chelsea’s youngsters face the Blues’. The Chelsea youth teams are often at the top of their game and so to get a draw shows great character from the Birmingham lads.
According to the official bcfc.com site, the team that played in the fixture was:
Blues: Weaver; Cotton (O`Keeffe 70), Seddon, Harding, Pennell; Truslove, Baba; O`Neill, McDonald (Cesar 70), McFarlane (Lubaka 70); Popa (Hale 70).
The players to watch in the game were the ones who I believe can make the step into the first team soon. McDonald is a very good player who has the vision that most players lack, let alone those that were born at around the same time. He can not only see the pass, but he can also pick the pass out which is a very handy thing to be able to do from a midfielder.
I also like the look of McFarlane and Popa together. They compliment each other very well. Popa has the technique and the fancy footwork that most would only ever dream of trying let alone pulling off. Whilst McFarlane is a very raw talent. He will close the ball down high up the pitch and have very strong hold up play not to mention the pace to get in behind. A very complimentary partnership.
I must also mention Luke Pennell who is currently a trialist from non-league Dunstable Town. Beale commented on the official site that “He defended really, really well,” which is a very big compliment considering he came up against a very attacking side where both full backs like to overload. This made it even harder but Pennell did his job remarkably well.
In terms of the actual game, Chelsea had the lions share of possession. They created chance after chance and our boys were penned into our defensive half for most of the game. But what was impressive was the work rate. Players closed down shots like their lives depended on it and they really did give absolutely everything. A noticeable mention to Weaver who was superb in goal.
Liam Truslove was often the outlet in midfield for Birmingham City and he was the main that scored our goal. Set pieces are often very good for our team and this game was no different. Truslove, via a slight deflection, put the ball into the net from a free kick. 1-0 after roughly half an hour.
But this goal was out shined just a few minutes later. The familiar figure of Kasey Palmer who is a very big talent, absolutely thundered the ball home from well outside of Weavers’ box. An outstanding finish from an outstanding player. 1-1 and that is how the game finished.
Richard Beale in his post match interview did commend the players work rate and effort. They stuck to the game plan brilliantly, according to their manager. But he did say that he was “a little bit disappointed that we didn`t…break.’ The counter attacking game was the game plan and this didn’t quite come off but a 1-1 draw against such a strong team isn’t half bad.
It was also interesting to hear him talk about his expectations of the players. “The philosophy at this football club is that…whatever the game is, the boys have go to learn good habits.” From bottom to top our club is being managed with great efficiency to get the best out of our players and so that the transition from youth to first team is easy. Brilliant to see!
“They have to put their bodies on the line…working as hard as they can – those are the minimum standards.’
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