A bright future ahead
The City side was made up of academy players and they faced a United side that featured three of the first team who were hammered 5-1 at the Walkers Stadium a month ago, but it was City’s youngsters who shone.
The front two of Abdillahie Yussuf and Elliott Chamberlain were particularly impressive in the way they took their chances, but it was a good all-round performance.
At the back, right back Ben Milnes stood out for me, while centre back Liam Moore also did exceptionally well.
Aman Verma anchored the midfield with maturity, while Jorrin John and Robbie Burns buzzed around, and sub Nathan Hicks also caught the eye.
The future looks bright for these youngsters but there is still a long way to go for them. Chris Powell revealed in his column last week that that one in five players are still in the game when they turn 21, so the odds are not brilliant for young players.
The key has to be to trust their coaches, listen and learn. It is no good having potential at 18 and not realising that potential. What a waste.
Jon Rudkin has an excellent record of bringing players through for the first team. In recent years there has been Joe Mattock, Max Gradel and Andy King (yes, I know King was picked up after being released by Chelsea, but Rudkin prepared him for the first team) who have come through.
Let’s hope that some of the talent I saw on Tuesday can make the step up because in the current financial climate, developing your own players must be the best way forward.
Talking of young players with potential, the signing of James Vaughan on loan today could prove to be a masterstroke. Vaughan is only 21 but he seems to have been around for years because he burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton.
Injuries have curtailed his progress but a good stint at City, who beat off several clubs to sign him, could get him back on track and if he hits the kind of form he has shown for the Toffees in the past, he could give City's play-off challenge a big boost.
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