Youth Squad Eager To Impress Bond - Roach pleased with progress
The Cherries Under 18 squad returned from a mini-break to win a brace of matches and find a number of the squad heavily involved with first team duties.
Wins against Cheltenham, 2-0 (Rose 2), and Torquay United, 3-0 (Wilson 3) have sent a clear message to Manager Kevin Bond that the squad are eager to be given the chance at first team level.
Brett Pitman and Sam Vokes have found their scoring boots in recent matches while Ryan Pryce played his part in back to back victories.
With Josh McQuoid and Joe Partington on the fringes of Cherries threadbare squad Joe Roach has said it's been an 'invigorating' couple of weeks for the youth set up.
He said, "It's been rewarding for everyone involved with the youth department right through the age groups. It's been a very good few weeks for different reasons and everyone has been active in taking steps forward."
"The Under 18s have been showing a better understanding of how to work as a team in recent matches and the work rate and attitude in games has also improved.
"At Under 16s level I've been having a look at potential intake to the Under 18s for next season and there have been some pleasing performances. All the players can see a real opportunity to become involved with the first team and are working hard to achieve that."
Kevin Bond may be forced to blood more young talent if his small squad suffers further with injury worries. Bond said a relegation scrap isn't the best time to debut young players, but he's confident that if called on, they'll give him all they have.
Bond said, "If I have to play them then I have to play them, but it's not an ideal situation and they know that. With play-offs and four going down it always seems you're fighting for something towards the end of each season so it's difficult to have the luxury of blooding youngsters in games that are not massively important."
"But if circumstances dictate then that's what we'll have to do. All of the young lads who are training with us are chomping at the bit and would love the opportunity to show us what they can do. And if they get the chance I'm sure that's what will happen."
