Dorset Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Watching the Chelsea Reserve team brush aside Portsmouth with four goals without reply last night was the most heartening of experiences and one that might even have brought a smile to Callista?s face. What the game did tell us in no uncertain terms was that we have two of the deadliest wingers in the country at this level and one of them, Scott Sinclair, is a potential England star of the future. The other, Miroslav Stoch, is also a mere 17 years of age, but has a completely different style of wing play based on trickery rather than the sheer blistering pace Sinclair deals in. Stoch is squat and skilful, reminds me of two players from different decades and, if he combines the talents of both in the years to come, it will be a very potent mix. The first is obvious, being a comparison with the genius of Pat Nevin that is evident in jinking runs and sixpenny turns which completely destroyed his marker last night. The poor Pompey lad was mesmerised from the word go and Stoch?s ability to kill and control anything that remotely resembled a pass in his direction made it even harder for him to get in a tackle. When he did, Miroslav?s response was immediate, feisty and brave. This kid plays as though he does not like losing anything, especially possession and in this respect older Shed Enders might remember the second of my comparative talents - Ralph Coates, the Burnley winger turned midfield playmaker of the late Sixties who was similar in stature, but made up for his lack of size by putting himself about a bit. He too had Stoch?s ability to deliver a whipped in cross or a well struck shot, almost at will and with, in cricketing terminology, a remarkably short bat lift. This youngster may be small, but he is undoubtedly destined to be a big name in Chelsea?s future. So too Scott Sinclair, who continues to produce contenders for Goal of the Month, albeit another carbon copy of his classic for Plymouth. This time he was even deeper in his own half, outstripped the first defender with ease around about the halfway line, and still had two in tow approaching the penalty area. One of these was Linvoy Primus, watched by ?Arry prior to a return to their first team, and he would not have been best pleased to see him burnt off, in Robben past Titus Bramble-style, on the edge of the box. The last defender couldn?t risk a tackle, but appeared to look on in awe anyway, as Scott cruised towards goal and slid the ball home close into the keeper?s body. Breathtaking! Ladies and gentlemen, we are truly blessed with talent out wide at both Reserve and Premiership team level at the moment and, whilst the aforementioned Arjen may be missed by some in the short term, the future looks extremely bright on the wings. PS - that Patrick van Aanholt sure looks a terrific player too, so maybe ?the Frank Arnesen effect? is more than just a figment of our imagination!
BLUENUT Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 I have alot of faith in young Scott, but don't want to over-hype the kid just yet. Thanks for the post Dorset, nice to know whats going on elsewhere in the club. I sincerley hope Scott has a big future with us!
loz Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Cheers Dorset, Reading between your lines (where there is will there is a way) it sounds like Stoch has the potential to suit Jose's view of a winger more than Sinclair. Is that a fair assessment? Probably immaterial anyway as by the time Stoch is looking to break into the first team Jose will be picking Ferreira for Portugal at left back!
Dorset Posted August 30, 2007 Author Posted August 30, 2007 That is more than likely, Loz, because, if Jose was long gone by the time Stoch matures (I won?t say grows, because he may not!) then he may well have missed out on his ?ideal? winger. Frankly - notice how I avoided use of the phrase ?in short? - Stoch?s size could be a problem, but, as with Franco, it also has its advantages - the low centre of gravity definitely helps and I am mightily impressed by the way he takes in a pass, very reminiscent of Mark Hughes...but in miniature!
Alan Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 I watched about 30 minutes of the second half yesterday and Stoch and Sinclair did look very good, as did most of our team really. They were giving Pompey the run around, and I remember reading that 5 of our team last night were 17, and I think the rest weren't much older.
BLUENUT Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Where did you watch it, at the game or CFC TV ? Anyone know if it's repeated on the BIG Loop that is CFCTV?
Alan Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 CTV. They'll probably show the goals on Blues News tonight I reckon.
Liam Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Ralph Coates, the Burnley winger turned midfield playmaker of the late Sixties who was similar in stature, but made up for his lack of size by putting himself about a bit. Great player and also posessed of one the best comb-overs of our time.
Jack Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Those two boys did play well last night but I have to disagree about their potential. Sinclair is undoubtedly classy and will make the first team within the next 2 or 3 years but Stoch reminds me of Kevin McAllister and will play at a decent level of football but not the Premiership.
g3.7 Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 sounds good dorset. any other notable players in the portsmouth side?
Jimboola69 Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 I saw the game. Scotty is far to good for that level now, and showed great promise at Plymouth. A few appearneces from the bench before xmas will bring him along, as well as some cup showings.
Dorset Posted August 31, 2007 Author Posted August 31, 2007 sounds good dorset.any other notable players in the portsmouth side? A good point, G4, made with your usual brevity, and it is true to say that there wasn?t too much by way of experience in the Pompey side other than Primus. Having said that, Songo?o threw his weight around in midfield until subbed late on and Mvuemba is a speedy forward who was well handled by van Aanholt, hence my comment on his performance. Incidentally, Primus didn?t come back on after the interval, so ?Arry had seen enough of him (or Sinclair skinning him) to decide whether or not he gets into their side against the Gunners - I think not.
BlueBeard Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 Ralph Coates, the Burnley winger turned midfield playmaker of the late Sixties who was similar in stature, but made up for his lack of size by putting himself about a bit. Great player and also posessed of one the best comb-overs of our time. That Burnley team were pretty strong back then, with the likes of Ralph Coates, Dave Thomas, Frank Casper, Martin Dobson and Steve Kindon in the side. I rated Coates highly in those days, despite his ridiculous comb-over competetion with Bobby Charlton - but then he went to Spuds, so naturally I've hated him ever since
BlueBeard Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 I saw the game. Scotty is far to good for that level now, and showed great promise at Plymouth. A few appearneces from the bench before xmas will bring him along, as well as some cup showings. I agree - be interesting to see if Scott is put in for the League Cup games - which reminds me, the draw for the third round is tomorrow.
g3.7 Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 sounds good dorset.any other notable players in the portsmouth side? A good point, G4, made with your usual brevity, and it is true to say that there wasn?t too much by way of experience in the Pompey side other than Primus. Having said that, Songo?o threw his weight around in midfield until subbed late on and Mvuemba is a speedy forward who was well handled by van Aanholt, hence my comment on his performance. Incidentally, Primus didn?t come back on after the interval, so ?Arry had seen enough of him (or Sinclair skinning him) to decide whether or not he gets into their side against the Gunners - I think not. that's good- primus is a pretty established premiership defender now anyway, but I think we've reached the point where we can safely say scott has the number of the reserve team league. I'd prefer it if we could get him into a top championship side for a few months, or maybe a premiership team until january. was van aanholt a fullback or center half?
Dorset Posted August 31, 2007 Author Posted August 31, 2007 van Aanholt played at LB - he's tall and very quick. He went on the overlap in one attack in the first half and gave his marker 5 yards. Looks to me as though he could play anywhere across the back, but, as we always say, that is only on the evidence of one game.
barak81 Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 You have to think how different it would be if the league let ya have 7 subs on the bench, think the youngsters might see a little more action if that were the case
g3.7 Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 thats what I was saying to henry and nando a few weeks ago- we should have 7 subs, but there should be a stipulation that at least 2 of those players should be from the youth system and/or under 21. then, say if cashley got injured, instead of having to put essien or someone out of position, van aanholt would get an opportunity.
Dorset Posted August 31, 2007 Author Posted August 31, 2007 True Barak, but I suppose we musn't lose sight of the fact that they are only kids in terms of coming on in a Premiership game. Mind you, thinking back to the Reserve match, Hutchinson played inside van Aanholt and he's not much older and has been training with the first team. He looked as though he'd been playing CB week in, week out (which we know he hasn't), so the versatility of these youngsters is pretty impressive.
barak81 Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 Out of interest while we are on the subject was is happening with this home growen rule that was supposedly coming to force this season?
The Moos Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 I saw some of the best from the U18-team against Southampton and I was impressed by Stoch. He looked short, squat and more of a solid defensive midfielder than a winger. But his footwork was really good and his shot was great too. Very interesting player. Not fast, but very skilled with his feat. We won 4-1 in that game (unless I'm mistaking). Southampton scored on a penalty that wasn't one. Great tackle to take the ball and the stupid ref pointed to the spot.
Alan Posted September 1, 2007 Posted September 1, 2007 Our Youth team had another good win today, 4-1 against Bristol City. Stoch scored again. [web]http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1104338,00.html[/web]
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