Once again we stand poised on the brink of a new season. Zola has had his first pre-season with a predominantly young side that he his keen to develop into mature, expressive and techinically able team players. Knowing the players that we have bubbling under particularly excites me.
The future prospects we have in Stanilas, Hines, Collision, Tomkins, Sears, N’Gala, Payne and more recently Nouble are fast shedding their ‘youth team player’ image and are in many cases embarking on a new season that could be the defining one in their careers. With the exception of maybe Payne, those mentioned players are all no longer a youngster coming through, but actually first team players eager to prove a point. Their youth and enthusiasm will be strengthened from the wealth of experience from their colleagues and surrounding team mates. Our backbone of experience consists of Green, Upson, Gabbidon, Collins, Parker, Dyer and I think even Noble, who has been in their exact situations before and know how they are feeling and what they are going through.
I think I would also publicly swallow my pride, eat some humble pie, and other humbling turn of phrase you can think of, and hold my hands up to say that Carlton Cole can probably be added to our backbone. Now don’t get me wrong, in front of goal I think he still has a lot to prove – but leading our front line tomorrow, we have a player who was by no means a fans’ favourite and suffered from a huge lack of confidence. A player who had to have shooting lessons from our gaffer. But he has turned it around and his performance in an England shirt midweek is proof alone what a year or so with Gianfranco Zola can do to your confidence, your techincal ability and ultimately your maturity.
From where I’m sitting, things couldn’t look better for our younger first team members under the guidance of Zola and Clarke.
I am excited.
But as you all know, I am ever the optimist and I’m not blind to the flipside – I should imagine that So Solid Crew could probably turn that sentance into a title for a comback tour track, “Blind to the Flipside”
IRONS!
Sam
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Wore these to every game this year. They may not be lucky, but they're comfy:
Keeping with the musical theme (and showing my age) – with the lack of strikers on the transfer front to date, lets hope it’s not Zeppelins The Song Remains The Same !!!
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Hi Sam,Like you im excited about the youth coming through & the future looks good,it’s the now that worries me!where are the goals coming from today?also do you have a stream for the match? I think 0 0 scoreline.COYI
.-= Bernie Bonds´s last blog ..Reporter Saved Drive-By Victim =-.
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I would say Collison & Tomka add to the backbone already. We all like to see players develop and hats off to Carlton Cole who has indeed now progresses to a worthy addition to the team. I would add that saw Nouble play in the pre-season against Bishops Stortford and he looks like a serious, good & strong young striker and could really add something in the future when his chance comes. Jnr Stanislas has also come on well looking stronger & confident and now with Jimmy adding a bit of style all looks positive. I welcome Kovac also who can add a bit of hight to the mid-field!
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[...] position to predict where we will finish this year. I posted earlier in August a couple of posts: Season Preview Part 1: It’s all in the Mix and Where will we finish next year? [...]
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