Young, Gifted & Blue

[Tim W]

Van Aanholt and Bridcutt impressed in last night's reserve game against Derby. Sinclair must be getting a reputation as Derby had two men on him all night. And as a second half substitution we saw Kakuta, the lad doesn't speak a word of English (yet) but his feet and mind certainly know how to play football - could be one for the future. Uncle Kerry's motm was young Jimmy Cummings who after playing much of last season at right back returned to the centre forward position and played really well, even Brendan Rodger's likened his performance to a young Drogba although he needs to eat his Shredded Wheat ten times a day to grow to the right size. (Van Aanholt plays left-back; Bridcutt holding midfield, Kakuta a more creative midfielder).

[sweet waffle]

How's Carl Magnay doing, is he getting a game?

[just]

One small but important point Tim. Kerry is not your Uncle. He is not anyone's uncle. His proper title is King Kerry and that is how he should be addressed.

[Tim W]

One small but important point Tim. Kerry is not your Uncle. He is not anyone's uncle. His proper title is King Kerry and that is how he should be addressed.

Point taken and I bow gracefully, but he still sounds like uncle Kerry when he's commentating the reserve games, "slightly patronising but with a glimmer of hope".

How's Carl Magnay doing, is he getting a game?

Not yet, the reserves have only played twice and a lot of players are away with u17 and u19s, saying that with so many of the older youngsters on loan I reckon everyone will get a chance soon or later.

[Dorset]

How's Carl Magnay doing' date=' is he getting a game?[/quote']

Not yet, the reserves have only played twice and a lot of players are away with u17 and u19s, saying that with so many of the older youngsters on loan I reckon everyone will get a chance soon or later.

Magnay did play, Tim, solidly next to Hutchinson in central defence, and he will play more now that Worley is out on loan. Interestingly, Grant played at RB and Bridcutt was preferred in the holding role. He had a terrific game and if I didn't know better I'd think we were really looking long, long,long term when we let Diarra go. Cummings played well too and led the line powerfully, but my MOTM was van Aanholt.... again.

[Tim]

As someone without Chelsea TV, these reports are REALLY interesting/valuable, so please please please do keep posting them Tim/Dorset.

Great to hear that the youth system seems to be finally creaking into action...

[Dorset]

Okay Tim, you asked for it, here?s a very biased version of our opening goal - James Simmonds knocks a simple pass out to Patrick van Aanholt who, with some space in front of him, is thinking of going it alone down the left flank. From about 35 yards out he looks up, takes a couple of strides forward, and smacks the ball into the roof of the net. It moved a bit in the air and dips over the keeper, who puts in a full length dive to get to it, so it was, as they say, a quality strike.

Bridcutt is a bit of a Kieran Dyer look alike and gets from box to box just as quickly, but he is much tougher in the tackle and it says something for him that he gets the nod over Anthony Grant when it comes to selection at the heart of midfield. Grant has already been out on loan and it is his favoured position. Make of that what you will - I?m sure Jose has already because he was in the crowd watching and, apparently, gave the halftime team talk!

[Tim W]

How's Carl Magnay doing' date=' is he getting a game?[/quote']

Not yet' date=' the reserves have only played twice and a lot of players are away with u17 and u19s, saying that with so many of the older youngsters on loan I reckon everyone will get a chance soon or later.[/quote']

Magnay did play, Tim, solidly next to Hutchinson in central defence, and he will play more now that Worley is out on loan. Interestingly, Grant played at RB and Bridcutt was preferred in the holding role. He had a terrific game and if I didn't know better I'd think we were really looking long, long,long term when we let Diarra go. Cummings played well too and led the line powerfully, but my MOTM was van Aanholt.... again.

My mistake - BTW what did you make of Grant at right back? I like Grant he's got a firm tackle and uses his body well, do you think the move to RB is temporary or a case of reschooling as we also have Cork who plays the holding role (when not on loan). Van Aanholt's cross for Cummings' goal was also a touch of class.

Of course the playing surface is a step up from Aldershot as well which helps.

[SydneyChelsea]

Bridcutt was preferred in the holding role. He had a terrific game and if I didn't know better I'd think we were really looking long, long,long term when we let Diarra go.

Dorset- have you watched Jack Cork in action?

Brendan Rogers took a gamble and switched both Bridcutt and Cork to defensive midfield duties even though both were originally centre-backs. BOTH of them have simply flourished. I haven't watched much of the reserves but I've seen Cork play and I remember him particularly against Arsenal Reserves taking Flamini and Song to the cleaners.

[Dorset]

How's Carl Magnay doing' date=' is he getting a game?[/quote']

Not yet' date=' the reserves have only played twice and a lot of players are away with u17 and u19s, saying that with so many of the older youngsters on loan I reckon everyone will get a chance soon or later.[/quote']

Magnay did play, Tim, solidly next to Hutchinson in central defence, and he will play more now that Worley is out on loan. Interestingly, Grant played at RB and Bridcutt was preferred in the holding role. He had a terrific game and if I didn't know better I'd think we were really looking long, long,long term when we let Diarra go. Cummings played well too and led the line powerfully, but my MOTM was van Aanholt.... again.

My mistake - BTW what did you make of Grant at right back? I like Grant he's got a firm tackle and uses his body well, do you think the move to RB is temporary or a case of reschooling as we also have Cork who plays the holding role (when not on loan). Van Aanholt's cross for Cummings' goal was also a touch of class.

Of course the playing surface is a step up from Aldershot as well which helps.

I think it?s one of those situations where Grant?s versatility doesn?t help him that much. Bridcutt caught the eye over the 90 minutes and probably had more scope to do so in the holding role. Grant does tackle well and, having gone out on loan, is a stage ahead of all his rivals except Cork, who may make the role his own for the Reserves, but, with him being able to play in the back four as well, neither look as if they?ll nail it down permanently. On the other hand, Bridcutt has a real intensity in his play and could end up overtaking both of them for the position.

Agree with you on the van Aanholt cross, but, having already enthused over this guy on another thread, I left it for someone else to mention and I?m glad you did!

SydneyC - I?ve only seen Cork play for the reserves, but have been told by one of their supporters that his loan spell with Bournemouth went well. Bridcutt doesn?t look like a centre back to me, whereas Cork has the build, but must be behind Hutchinson (who is really classy) and Mancienne in any pecking order.

[Tim W]

Where is Mancienne playing in the England U21 RB or CB?