If there is a key point for every manager in a season, where he makes a decision on his players and plans ahead for next season, last nights game against Tottenham was the point where Neil Banfield learnt that many of his young talents simply will not make the grade at Arsenal.
Despite the positives of Armand Traore and Lukasz Fabianski who were stunning, the game saw disappointment for many Gooners, especially with the player rated as the “New Henry” Gilles Sunu, he made his first start for the Reserves in front of a bouncing crowd at Underhill, and failed to impress as a stronger, more physical Tottenham over run the Gunners at times, especially in the second period.
Banfield switched the side, from what seemed the most likely formation and played Abu Ogogo as the sides play-maker, with Gavin Hoyte playing left back, and Barazite wide on the right, and in the early periods it was clear they failed to settle, with Ogogo and Dunne lacking the natural passing talents to unlock the Tenacious Spurs midfield.
Fair play to Neil, he all but confessed in his pre-match interview that his team did not have the “football intelligence” (Polite way of saying lacking ability) to unlock a Spurs team which yes featured some experience players, but they did little to impress, saying:
“I was telling them things that basically fall under football intelligence. At this club they have to use that and I am really disappointed to be saying that because they should have that really.”
I think its time that we be honest about the team, and confess many of them will not make it here, Abu Ogogo is a good utility player but is just a simple passer, and at times does not look bothered, Paul Rodgers was solid but failed to do the simple things that Nordtveit did, E.G getting robbed by Gilberto, and James Dunne ran all day but ruined a hard working performance by making two stupid fouls at the end of the game, further-more Neil spoke on his sides poor defensive mentality.
“The players have to do their jobs defensively. When you do have sustained periods of possession you must keep your concentration at the back and unfortunately our back four fell asleep for their goal.
I am really disappointed that the lads haven’t moved the ball about the way I know they can. Sometimes they aren’t going to have possession and they need to be big and say ‘let’s get hold of the ball and use it up front and get some forward movement
All Quotes From Arsenal.com
Rui Fonte and Gilles Sunu ran all day for the team, but both failed to convert easy chances which has been the tale of the season for the pair, despite a promising start from Fonte, i think there will be and i think we need to have a clear out, Ogogo, G. Hoyte, Dunne, Steer, Rodgers all should be released, with fresh talents either from Steve Bould’s excellent Under 18’s or use the funds for transfers, as we look to build a new side for next term, which in brief outings, Sanchez Watt, Jack Wilshere and Jay Thomas have impressed, so with a little added quality Arsenal Reserves will be a force next term.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Interesting read Sanderson.
It wasn’t long ago though, that you were dubbing Abu Ogogo “The most underrated Reserves player”?
Maybe you’re opinion has changed on the lad?
Looking at last nights game, Sanchez Watt made an immediate impact with his pace and class runs. But it was really the first team players who made the biggest impact in Traore & Fabianski.
Good article.
* classy runs down the channel
Dunne, Steer and Ogogo aint Arsenal quality they might make it at another premiership team but not arsenal, and G. Hoyte is a good player his still learning
Ogogo is under rated, but when he has to play in midfield and right wing, he loses his way alot, its become apparent Banfield wont play him RB.
why dont we play Kerrea Gilbert?
haha, Kerrea has been injured in recent weeks, as well as being on trial with other clubs.
he was a great talent, i remember him playing a few 1st team games aswell, will he be staying?
It seems Steve Boulds team have more exciting prospects in it than the reserves!
yep agree, but they are playing against players of the same age, rather than at Reserves level, where they play against experienced players.
But Jay Thomas, Eastmond and Wilshere did very well against a strong reading side.
And nope, it seems Kerrea will be leaving in the summer.
You are spot on. Normally 5 or 6 players are let go.
Lets not forget Randall and Gibbs who cant break into Championship teams at the moment.
The players for the reserves are very young, and that should not be forgotten, but if they are not good enough they should try their luck somewhere else.
I cant speculate who will leave but there will be a few players leaving
Exept the players you mentioned in the article i think Kerrea Gilbert and also maybe Rui Fonte will leave (i think he’s very good but it feels like we have more quality coming up, so he’ll maybe not leave next but i don’t think he’ll make it). Players on loan like Simpson and Gibbs are getting “to old” so i think they’ll leave soon to, it doesn’t seems to become anything of them.
You’re talking about releasing playing that haven’t finishing developing yet, 17 year olds and what not. Sunu just turned 17 last week, he faced a bigger and stronger couple of defenders and although I agree he looked off colour, it was only a few weeks ago when he made Martin Taylor look average in a reserve game, his debut I think.
You’re being a little harsh on them, some played well and some didn’t, surely releasing players who are of the age they are because of a couple bad performances is pretty stupid. Then what do we do, call in the youngsters from the academy to get battered from pillar to post every other Monday Night by experienced first teamers in the reserves?
They’re called Reserve’s for a reason, some definately won’t be good enough but they make up the numbers for the reserve team, it’s better than sticking 15 and 16 year olds in at the deep end that clearly aren’t ready yet. Remember half of theplayers wouldn’t of played tonight had Merida, Gibbs, Randall and Simpson been on loan.
Give them a chance.
I definatly don’t think Sanderson meant we should releasing Sunu, you just got it wrong. He said he had a bad game, he didn’t mean we should release him.
The players we have suggested releasing are infact 18, and second year scholars, if you keep these players then you hold back the quality behind them, like Thomas, Watt, Wilshere and others.
These players were getting kicked about last night by a more physical Tottenham, if you put younger players in in the future, then it gives them more time to get used to it.
And infact all of the players mentioned have not done anything special in the time they have been here, it is not a rash choice, its evaulated over the past two years they have been scholars.
Sunu, only signed in the summer, i was not saying he should go, im talking about the second years.
thanks for clearing it up Swegoo.
Some sites her in Holland are saying Ajax wants to loan Barazite for next season..
So who do we think will be released because some players are still young and can still develop into a good player.
In my eyes we should let go of steer,Ogogo,and dunne just not good anough.
Players like gibbs,randall and simpson had to go on loan because there at that level where they should be getting into first team but i see them going back on loan again for a whole season.Just dont know about jay
I would try reverting to the old days when the reseves werte more experienced. the first team squad players are not getting playing time and do not perform when called upon. If thr reserves were half and half it would be more balanced.
1st of all the game was terrible last night and 2nd of all is that your all right about releasing those players. I’ve been studying the form of all of the reserves and youngsters all season and from last nights team I would be worried if i was any of them except- TRAORE, FABIANSKI, BARAZITE, NORDVEIT, SUNU and possiblly DJOUROU the rest of them were awful and its not the 1st time they havent looked good enough.
We really need new players coming through seriously
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I’ve also heard that rumour Joshua. It’s van Basten who wants to loan him, and it would be a upcome from the possible corporation between the two clubs. But that corporation seems to be a long way from confirmed, i heard that Ajax are in talks with Milan and Barcelona to.
i think its just people putting 2+2 together, Dutch club, Dutch player.
Denilson i think will go there, there has been some talk of that.
Do you really think Gavin Hoyte won’t make it?
What’s wrong with Denilson by the way? Does anyone know? I haven’t seen him involved in the 1st team squad for ages. Now there is a rumour he will be loaned out? I’m really suprised by that.
Injured mate.
Btw Under 18s won 3-0 this afternoon
Sanderson do you know who scores the goals?
i will add an article on it shortly
Thanks
Where the hell did u hear that about Denilson??
He injured himself against Colorado a month ago, has begun full training again though.
Denilson has gone backwards as a player IMO
Denilson has gone backwards
Denilson has gone backwards
I don’t think he has gone backwards, it’s just the fact he doesn’t playes consistently and is not in match tempo. I think a loanspell would show if he will have quality or not to compete in the first team. I personally think he’ll show great quality if he plays week in and week out at a club like for example Ajax like J.Sanderson mentioned.
I agree. I think he has the technique and intelligence to be on par with fabs. To put it in perspective, denilson is better at his age than lampard or deco were. One for the future in every sense of the word.