Bristol City head coach Sean O'Driscoll "not afraid" to play youngsters

“On Saturday's performance to name but one, it's clear to me the likes of Reid, Burns, Bryan and Edwards should be given a lot more play time.

People say never throw kids in when things are going wrong and your fighting at the wrong end of the table. Personally, I disagree with that. At times, a fresh young talent can come in and make a big difference. They are after all out to prove to their manager they are worthy of more time so they apply and show the hunger, desire and commitment some of the more seasoned pro's show.

Losing games at a young age can work both ways. It can demoralise or it can educate and make youngsters into better players. If they survive, they know what it takes for future years. Losing games sometimes serves youngsters better in the long run. Its character building and a good man manager will be able to lift their spirits and teach them how to flow with the punches.

For me, I would drop Foster and bring in Edwards. Start with Bryan at left wing, Anderson on the right (deputise for Albert) and bring in Reid for Pearson who to me is not showing commitment to the cause. Have Burns on the Bench to replace either winger as required or as he did Saturday, come on up front.

I would also like to see more of Taylor alongside Davies or Baldock. Stead for me, whilst arguably the most consistent front line player in recent weeks, has a poor first touch, lacks pace and doesn't hold the ball up as well as Taylor.

Too many seasoned pros at the end of the careers coupled with poor tactics have got us in the mess. I believe the youngsters desire, attitude, hunger and ability (I've been impressed with every player that's come in to date) and the renewed belief S'OD's appointment will bring, can only steer us on course for a 16/17th place finish.

Whatever happens, we now need to play our part in lifting the players in the run in. I'm more optimistic now than I've been all season so let's hope S'OD works his magic and delivers us from the evil of league 1 obscurity!

COYR”

“@AussieGeorge:

Sorry, that should rad JL not JD.

Another point tht's interesting is to look at the players Carwley have sold over the past two years and, let's be honest, they've found them somewhere and outdone us.”

“@marmeliser:

Don't get me wrong our Academy has underacheived, as you say, however, it'll take us 3-5 years to see if the brave new world that McInnes put in place and recruited for was any better than what we've produced previously.

League One could be a better opportunity for the likes of Wilson, Edwards, Bryan & Burns although I hope we don't get to find out on that one!

@AussieGeorge:

There have been some incredibly powerful statements made and the Head Coach title is one of them.

"People aren't interested in how the U11's do"-SD

"Focus on first team affairs"--JD

In themselves, quite uncontroversial, ground beaking & obvious.

In reality, it appears DM was getting distracted from the first team by taking the long term view on development-It's important however, if the first team is crashing down the leagues the fans will disappear and that will create downward pressure on revenues which will ruin your Academy in any event.

A club with a Tier 2 Academy MUST spend just under a million on it and be able to demonstrate that.It's £2.5mpa for Tier 1 and Arsenal are already spedning £5-6m on theirs!!”

“Hi All - Maybe I have missed something while being away but can anyone explain why we are using the term "Head Coach" now instead of Manager.
Is this the new term or just something BCFC are using.
I like what i hear from SOD so far regarding using the younger players, hope it all goes to plan.
COYR”

“on the academy piledriver, one of the issues is costs re revenues generated. i'd say it's been a major loss situation, so far?

cotterrill is the ONLY 100 pc home grown product to have attracted a MAJOR - i.e 7 figure - fee in the history of the academy

compare and contrast to southampton and palace, for example?”

“@rocketbob:

IMHO, we need two CB's & RB/RWB, plus Cunningham in the back four/three if we play wingbacks.Skuse can play as a holding midfelder and we can bring a Creative player (Tinnion)in.

This is all assuming we can afford it and I don't think we can so let's hope it's all about organisation & motivation.

Hopefully Killa can take on a new lease of life, especially at Leeds.You never know he may actually pass the ball forward!

@by harryreg_uk:

He played but not very well mate! I'm afraid the injuries have finally taken their toll.”

“THE trouble is Kilkenny always looks good when he is six feet away from a tackle. IF he tackles at Leeds it may be the first time. With Elliott obviously off the pace can Kelly Reid or Pearson support Skuse in front of a dodgy back four?”

“by Robinplus3



"@rocketbob
I was at the under 21 game last night. Elliot looked off the pace. He started in midfield but was not on his game. Due to an injury & subsequent substitution he was moved to CB to cover.


From what I have seen of Elliott this season,he has been well off his game- To se this comment in a U21 game is even more concerning.”

“@rocketbob
I was at the under 21 game last night. Elliot looked off the pace. He started in midfield but was not on his game. Due to an injury & subsequent substitution he was moved to CB to cover. In truth with SOD watching he did not look very impressive. Kilkenny on the other hand showed real class. Dominating the midfield and providing some telling passes for the strikers to feed on. He looked hungry & I know it was a 21 game but I did wonder why he hasn't produced this when played this season.
On a plus point Bryan & Reid looked real quality. Bryan's pace & determination to win the ball especially. Also Kevin Kanns up front looked a good one to watch in the future. Lobbed the keeper brilliantly for one of the 2 goals he scored & looked very fast.
All in all an enjoyable match to watch, a CLEAN SHEET, 4 goals and some young players showing passion for the full 90 mins.....shame there weren't more members of the first team watching. I only saw other U21 players in the stand & Wes Burns who was sat behind me.”

“@rocketbob - marv played CB last night apparently, wonder if we can read anything in to that?”