Bristol City Under-23s were defeated by their Charlton Athletic counterparts at the Robins High Performance Centre just a few hours before the senior team took to the field against Luton Town in the Championship.
Seb Palmer-Houlden’s late strike kept things interesting in the final 10 minutes but, in truth, City were well-beaten by a strong and cohesive Addicks outfit who moved the ball around the field with express confidence and authority.
It was the first loss for the young Robins in the Professional Development League since October 26 but the result is but a mere detail at this level and there was much to take away from the game for City. Here are the main talking points…
More minutes in the legs for Cundy
Robbie Cundy continued his comeback from the knee problems that robbed the 25-year-old of the first half of the season by completing 90 minutes and captaining the Robins.
It’s his third appearance for the Under-23s this season and the first time he’s played a full game, so that has to count as progress from a purely fitness perspective.
There were slight concerns last week when he wasn’t included in the squad that drew 2-2 at Swansea but then was pictured training with the first-team, raising slight suspicions that he was in contention to be involved against Cardiff City.
That was obviously hugely ambitious but the fact he came through completely unscathed against Charlton shows his match fitness is getting back to desired levels, which then starts to present the question if he can be considered a viable Championship option for Pearson.
He certainly stood out on the pitch against Charlton, in stature more than anything else as, with the exception of towering Addicks defender Deji Elewere, he was the biggest player on the field, as you would expect given he was a good five years older than most of the individuals involved, and 10 years the senior of young striker Ephraim Yeboah.
Cundy was given a tough examination by Daniel Kanu, who was in the Addicks Under-17 set-up at the start of the season and looks a real prospect, forcing the centre-back to turn backwards, covering runs and passes into the inside channels between centre-back and full-back.
There were some powerful headers in there from Cundy, as he should do given his commanding frame, but he was also beaten in the air on a couple of occasions.
He mostly held his position well and there were a few Rolls Royce moments when he took control in broken play, moving into space and stroking the ball around, including one perfectly executed Cruyff Turn and then sweeping pass out to the left.
How much he’s ready remains very much up for debate but, in essence, Pearson or City won’t truly know until he’s placed into the environment. And if the Robins do come up short in the transfer market, it could be sooner rather than later.
Faith in Yeboah
It was fantastic to see a run out for 15-year-old Yeboah who signed for City last year from Bristol Inner City Academy and clearly there is considerable excitement at the striker’s potential.
Lining up alongside Seb Palmer-Houlden in initially a top-man attack, with the No10 the more physical presence looking to hold the ball up, Yeboah was there to make runs and profit from any knock-downs and passes around the corner.
In truth, given City’s lack of possession in the first half it was a real challenge for him as he was working with very little and also had to cope with the considerable physicality and poise of Elewere, Charlie Barker (son of former Rotherham and Brighton favourite Richie) and Lucas Ness, who has played for the first-team.
And while there weren’t any headline-grabbing standout moments for the teenager in the first-half, what did impress was his commitment to the task; he pressed as much as was instructed, was always tracking the defenders out of possession and he tried to make runs and create space whenever City did get on the ball.
He did look his age - relatively speaking, of course - but that is wholly to be expected given not only the considerable difference but also in body development.
In the second half he had two half chances, including a far post header from a fine Tommy Backwell cross, but couldn’t quite get the necessary connection before being withdrawn after 66 minutes.
To emphasise the previous point, after not quite getting to Backwell’s centre, as his header skidded off the top of his head, Yeboah had the presence of mind to sprint to the loose ball and keep City in possession to which they then won a corner.
It was also noticeable during the game the collection of academy players gathered at the back of the stand of the HPC, having finished their lunch, sporadically shouting, “go on, Eph” whenever he got on the ball.
Scouts in attendance
There were a few hundred City fans present, able to watch the U23s at the HPC for the first time after the fixtures over Christmas were postponed due to Covid with a burger bar even in situ to the side of the stand where supporters sat.
With the first-team squad and staff in Luton there wasn't a great deal of star spotting to be had, although Timm Klose was spotted watching on, Ryley Towler made a brief appearance walking down the bottom of the stand and clad in a tracksuit before making his way to the car park, while Khalifa Cisse was also a keen observer.
But one interested/nosey fan did notice two individuals who didn’t look like supporters, shouting across the seats, “are you guys scouts?” to two men watching the game just down the row from Bristol Live.
Ten points to that man as although he didn’t get a proper confession with some slightly embarrassed mumbling and muted responses, they were indeed scouts and not from Bristol City, either.
One, though, is a familiar face in Failand and Ashton Gate, for that matter, having been employed by City for seven years before his departure last summer.
Former head of performance analysis Sam Stanton is a regular attendee in BS3 and now it would seem at the HPC in his role as lead scout (South) for Premier League Southampton.
I wouldn’t read too much into their presence at the game because ultimately their role is to take in as many games as possible in the south west region and enhance their club database regarding the youth talent across the area.
Admittedly we’re not in the same business but it’s hard to see anyone in a Robins shirt particularly catching the eye, albeit with Yeboah’s appearance of interest as a 15-year-old.
Nathaniel Williams had a solid game on the left side of defence, James Taylor was an energetic presence down the right flank and Palmer-Houlden showed some nice touches and link-up play but the real star performers were ultimately in a Charlton shirt.
As mentioned, Elewere, Ness and Barker were all excellent at the back, Euan Williams and Aaron Henry in midfield ran the game and Jeremy Santos covered so much ground it was hard to establish exactly where he was playing - full-back, or attacking midfield.
Acey on trial
A week after City had a look at Southampton winger Ramello Mitchell, it was the turn of midfielder Ben Acey to be given a trial and a run out for the Under-23s with the teenager wearing No8 and playing in the middle of the park.
Like Alex Scott, he’s a former Guernsey FC alumni and there were similar-ish playing characteristics although Acey was a little more muscular.
He did find the going a little tough as Charlton moved the ball around with express confidence but, in a similar vein to Yeboah, kept at it and made a few smart challenges to try and stem the follow of possession from one box to the other, which was becoming too frequent.
But Charlton’s pressing and tenacity in the middle of the park was also impressive and they didn’t give the Robins midfielders a chance to establish any rhythm, constantly squeezing the space and snapping at their heels, everything looked a little rushed.
He was withdrawn with around 15 minutes remaining in what proved a frustrating afternoon for the teenager.
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