U23 news

There is no doubting that Kelman needs to get out and play on a regular basis but having watched him I wonder what club would want to take him. Against Blackburn there were times when he was anonymous and he found the physicallity of his Blackburn defender too much. I admit the service he got was limited and to his credit he kept going and scored.  My worry at the moment is that against a more experienced League defender he would have been roughed up and then snuffed out.

I haven't seen the reason why Gillingham returned him but I would imagine it was because he is a bit lightweight and drifts out of the game. He had an opportunity to show everyone he could perform at League level but it initially didn't work.  The type of club that will be looking for a loan striker in January will want someone who can effect the game and create or score goals. My original thoughts were exactly the same as your kingfisher, that we need to get him out on loan and get games. At the moment I think it might be better giving him guarenteed games in U23 and B team matches and then getting a loan deal for him at the start of next season

Whilst he is scoring for the U23 team it will be boosting his confidence and I don't see any benifit to us or anyone of him going out on loan and just sitting on the bench. Whatever the club do decide the most important thing is that Kelman takes advantage of the situation. 

Despite including 4 senior players (Hamalainen,Owens,Bettache and Duke-McKenna) the U23s were beaten 3-4 in the home match against Bristol City. At one stage we were getting beaten 0-4 before pulling 3 goals in the last 22 minutes.

Disappointing result.

The U23 team were home to Charlton today and despite including Faysal Bettache in the starting line up we got a 3 -0 thumping. We did lose our captain to 2 yellow cards but we weren't great. Charlton included several youngsters from there u18 team and I thought that their hat trick hero Myles Leaburn looked head and shoulders above any of our players.

Released by Chelsea and subsequently picked up by Charlton Leaburn looks to have a future.

Went to Oldham, lost his place, barely featured thereafter, got recalled, nobody wanted him in January. Soon to be found doing a circuit of the lower leagues like Oteh. Nowhere near good enough for this level in my view.

He played with a lack of confidence for the U23 team and doesn't look anything like the player we saw before his loan to Oldham. It's worrying that so many of our promising young players are being found loan deals and then failing to take the opportunity to shine or capitalise. 

Kelman has got a couple of goals recently but only Masterson seems to be performing consistently well and taking his chance. Oteh has been injured but is now struggling to get a place in the Sheffield Wednesday team.

Maybe we were spoilt when we saw Eze and Chair go out on loan and return as capable Championship players.