Reflections on the YTs season to date...

Ahead of a hectic schedule where Doncaster Rovers' Under 18s will play four successive away games, now seems an appropriate time to give some considered thoughts on the season so far.

I don't know yet if I'll be present at any of the upcoming games (thanks Boris!) but the busy schedule begins this Wednesday (18th November) with an eagerly-awaited FA Youth Cup Second Round tie against Hull City which takes place behind-closed-doors at the KCOM Stadium, before visits to Rotherham United (21st November) and Grimsby Town (24th November) in the Football League Youth Alliance.

The 'must win' cup visit to Bolton Wanderers has been re-arranged for Tuesday 1st December.

The upcoming schedule contrasts greatly with the campaign up to now as it's been 'stop-start' to say the least with long gaps between some fixtures. Results have been as follows:

12th Sep: Scunthorpe United (a) - L 0-1

19th Sep: Lincoln City (H) - L 0-1

3rd Oct: Huddersfield Town (a) - W 2-1

28th Oct: Preston North End (H) - D 2-2 - YAC

31st Oct: Notts County (a) - W 2-1

4th Nov: Coventry Sphinx (a) - W 2-1 - FAYC

10th Nov: Burton Albion (H) - L 1-2

Based on what I've seen, the improvement on the opening two performances of the season against Scunthorpe and Lincoln has been considerable - even if the latest defeat to Burton was a disappointment where the lads didn't do themselves any favours.

After the defeat to Lincoln in September, I thought it may be a long year ahead whereas now there are some positives to talk about amongst the other areas where work is still needed.

Undoubtedly the best showing to date was against Preston in the Youth Alliance Cup - though a combination of missed chances and decent opposition goalkeeping meant it ended in a 2-2 draw and not what should have been a deserved win. The lads retained the ball extremely well, moved it about effectively, posed a threat and caused all sorts of problems against a PNE team containing some good players who've competed at the top of the North-West Division for the past couple of seasons.

Without any question, it was the benchmark performance where several things came together, and it's something as a team that the lads have to try and emulate every week now.

Results-wise, there's been some good ones. A technically-gifted Huddersfield were beaten in difficult weather conditions simply because the lads showed more desire than those they were up against, whilst they responded well after going 1-0 behind at Notts County. A challenging trip to Coventry Sphinx (and all the trials/tribulations that game brought with it), was a successful one, too, and although it wasn't pretty at the best of times, the performance was enough.

Credit has to be given for the general improvement though, as to be expected in youth football, there's still a long way to go in some respects and areas where more effective work is vital.

Areas for concern at the moment include the fact that, collectively, the team have started slowly in the majority of outings. 

Against Lincoln, the visitors' goal came early on. At Huddersfield, the lads were second best during the half-hour period before Owan Derrett scored the opening goal. Against Preston, it was the opposition who began on the front foot and set the early tempo until the lads wrestled their way back into things. At Coventry, the non-league side could have scored inside the first couple of minutes due to a defensive lapse.

The 'slow starts' have become less noticeable in recent games, but there's still a need to set a precedent from the very first minute, dictate the early pace and not allow the opposition to do it.

Furthermore, in quite a few games, too many good chances have gone begging. For example, against Preston, it ended in a draw because too many good opportunities were created and not converted. It was a similar tale in last week's defeat to Burton. Delving slightly further back, the pre-season clash with Chesterfield was end-to-end and goalless until Luca Nelson scored a late penalty but the result could easily have gone either way.

Sometimes the lads have been denied through good goalkeeping - and when that happens it's fair enough because at least chances are being put on target. However, this hasn't always been the case and there remains a definite need to be more ruthless in attack and this is an area where improvement is necessary.

Whilst it's easy to be critical of those on the front-line who haven't got a greater goals return, nevertheless, statistics don't lie and in competitive games the lads haven't actually kept a 'proper' clean-sheet yet so far this season. In open play, dealing with things through the middle they've been relatively solid, but the vast majority of the goals conceded (from memory) have come either from wide areas or set-pieces. Though I've not seen any statistics to back up this point, the majority of goalscoring chances for the opposition seem to have come from the same areas as well. Not ensuring a defensive shut-out means the strikers need to score at least twice per game in order to have a chance of winning and that's something which simply isn't always going to happen!

The 'mixed' performances have sometimes been overshadowed by good results and in reflection, as stated already, there's been progress in some areas though their remains food for thought and work to do in others areas.

There are my thoughts on individual players, to date:

Ben Bottomley - A second-year 'keeper who is shouting even more nowadays (so that's a lot!), and continuously demands high standards from his team-mates. Has pretty much eradicated the errors which had people sometimes concerned last year and has produced some good individual displays including a 'Man Of The Match' showing in the win at Huddersfield. Will only get better with experience and won't take any prisoners whatsoever on the pitch.

Luke Chadwick - Someone whose game-time has been restricted up to now. Had some wobbly moments in the recent friendly with Chesterfield and also one against Burton with his handling, but it's no major concern as I saw enough from him last year to know he's a capable 'keeper. Possesses a big frame and will definitely feature more at some point - whether that be later this season or in the second year of his scholarship in 2021/22.

Tom Henson - An energetic first-year who has had more minutes than anyone else in his year group and has made the right-back position his own. Has shown good fitness levels and consistency. Got a quality assist at Notts County with a driving which highlighted his attacking qualities, though there are areas for improvement in his defensive game as some of the goals conceded could be attributed to crosses not being blocked/stopped from his side. Apart from that and overall, I'm confident he'll improve more as time passes as he'll almost certainly get the game-time/experience.

Max Jemson - Played in every game up to Coventry where he sustained a hamstring injury. Offers an aerial presence given that he's the tallest lad in the squad (by some distance) but occasionally lets opponents get goal-side of him which is a worry. If he can sort that out then with his other attributes, he'll become a better player. Looks more relaxed and composed compared to this time last year and is also more vocal nowadays. Came out with a great 'one-liner' during his last appearance!

Josh Clemitson - It's been refreshing to see his progress over the last few months. Despite being a peripheral figure last year when his versatility sometimes went against him, he's now established himself as one of the main players in the side at centre-back. Scored a brilliant solo effort in the win at Huddersfield (nominated for LFE's 'Goal of the Month') which is testament to his improvement. Is also more vocal in comparison to last year and would probably win the award for 'Most Improved' if such a thing existed!

Michael Nesbitt - A centre-back who'd probably have seen more action had it not been for injury. Has made an impression on me up to now, demonstrating good defensive skills more often than not, whilst the yellow card at Notts County also showed there's a likeable 'edge' to his game. Only a first-year so will get physically stronger and tougher over time and once he's filled out, he should be solid option at the heart of the defence - so long as he can avoid injuries.

Lewis Cunningham - A left-back who started pre-season with a flourish, is vocal and has emerged as something of a natural leader within the team. His offensive link-up play is decent - especially the floated balls down the channel which are always of a high quality. His defensive capabilities have been challenged quite a bit over the course of his last three outings with varied success. Once he's developed his upper body presence, he'll be in a great position to cope with the rigours of men's football.

Ethan Bojang - The oldest player in the squad and also the skipper. Capable of playing in a variety of positions but has figured mostly in centre-midfield, occasionally filling in at centre-back. Was out injured for the vast majority of last season and his form has been mixed since returning. Needs a big individual performance to use as a springboard to 'kick on' from in order to get back to the very high standards he was showing at the start of the last season. A bandaged head meant he missed the last quarter-hour of the last game.

Charlie Bell - Always tenacious, always 'ratty' and someone who'll always work hard and give maximum effort. Not afraid of a tackle. Has improved this year and grown in confidence after a mixed 2019/20 and put in the best performance of his scholarship so far against Chesterfield, where he hit the crossbar, then followed it up with a typically dogged display against Preston. Was injured at Coventry and subsequently wasn't available against Burton where his attributes were missed by his team-mates.

Will Hollings - A talented midfielder who, in pieces, has shown his potential though he's yet to completely dominate a game. Came on at Coventry and initially made a difference with his good passing and technical ability. Isn't afraid to take shots on from outside the area (a good thing!) and has been unfortunate not to score during the past couple of games. Effectively gave away the goal against Burton - it happens, but with confidence and self-belief, he could emerge as a key player in the team. Still a first-year scholar so time is on his side right now.

Dan Wilds - A defensive-minded player who has been in and out of the line-up. Yet to produce a fully commanding performance, largely due to his limited game-time, but his tenaciousness, stature and a few other attributes means he's someone I'm looking forward to seeing more from over the remaining year-and-a-half of his scholarship.

Tavonga Kuleya - A quick, first-year wide-man who has shown snippets of what he can do though he's primarily featured as a substitute. Boasts rapid pace, is very direct and made an impact at Notts County when he came on - even if he should have squared a simple pass to release a team-mate in one counter-attacking move. Similar to Dan Wilds, I'd like to see him get a run of games at some point to further understand his capabilities.

Corie Cole - Diminutive playmaker with great technical awareness and ability who'll often float around just behind the front two. Was outstanding in that role against Preston, linking things up to a high standard, and needs to try and emulate that display every week. Hasn't vastly impacted the last three games - drifting in and out of the action too much, though he was on the score-sheet at Notts County - even if it was from 0.01 millimetres out! Great potential and only a first-year, so has time to develop and improve. Reminds me, ever so slightly, of a young Tom Owen-Evans.

Luca Nelson - A second-year who'll constantly graft, work hard and battle for the cause. Also possessing a deceptively quick turn of pace, he's been an ever-present to date and has weighed in with his fair share of goals including two at Coventry and one which was testament to his endeavour against PNE. Would probably liked to have bagged a few more but his all-round game is stronger now than 12 months ago which is a positive.

Owan Derrett - The fastest player in the squad whose lightening-quick pace caused Preston all manner of problem in his best showing of the campaign. Produced a composed one-on-one finish in the win at Huddersfield and has scored other goals but could have been more prolific as some chances haven't been put away. If him and Luca Nelson can develop a stronger understanding, more goals will surely flow. In the second year of his scholarship at the club.

Alex Wolny - A first-year forward who scored a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in pre-season and also got an injury-time winner at Notts County the other week. His presence, power and pace means he's a real handful and he isn't afraid to take shots on when he catches a genuine sight of goal. Should have scored at least once against Burton last time out, but it wasn't to be. Has largely been used as a substitute, to date, but will feature more at some stage as he's only a first-year scholar. One to keep an eye on in the future. 

Overall, looking at the squad as a collective, it's evident that confidence is a key thing with some more than others. Therefore, it's important everyone remembers they've earned the right and have enough talent to be a part of this squad and that they're all good enough to be competing at an 'elite' youth level.

All the lads have talent and have something to offer!

As is only natural, the ultimate aim is to earn a professional contract though the reality is that it's not going to happen for everyone. Considering how the pandemic has already affected Doncaster Rovers with the scrapping of the Under 23s last summer (a decision which I'll never agree with), plus the upheaval in how last season finished and how this season has felt very different in comparison due to the various restrictions, it's been an even tougher and more challenging time than would usually be the case.

My message, similar to what it was at the start of the season is to just go out, try and enjoy every game, enjoy even more the day-to-day stuff such as interacting with team-mates and having 'banter' travelling to away games, etc, and crucially, don't put too much pressure on yourselves.

There's going to be highs and lows aplenty over the course of any football season along with several 'uncontrollable' and 'unpredictable' things such as the impact of the pandemic. The only requirement I'd ask is that every player always gives 100% effort and commitment - primarily to ensure you aren't left with any self-regrets when it comes to 'decision time' regarding professional contracts.

You never know what a positive impression left on someone could lead to in the long-term and/or who is watching whatever game you might be playing in. Every game is an opportunity to impress and produce that one, outstanding performance which can elevate you into the consciousness of those who'll then present you with further opportunities.