Bruce Suraci reiterated the value of friendlies, whilst also singling out Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, following the development squad’s 3-2 win over a Wycombe Wanderers XI.
The interim coach of the young Cherries side oversaw the trip to Buckinghamshire on Tuesday and left pleased with the experience derived by his team.
First-teamer Emiliano Marcondes netted twice at the Chairboys’ Marlow Road training ground, while under-18s winger Dacosta Gonzalez also bagged.
“Michael has got some good attributes, there’s no doubt,” Suraci said on the forward following the win.
“Alan Connell told us that he did really well against West Ham on Saturday, so we gave him the opportunity to start as a reward because he’s earnt it.
“You look at how he played and his decision making, it was better today.
“He was direct, he linked well with Josh Popoola, he was a threat, he worked really hard and his reactions were excellent.
“The under-18s programme is really benefitting him and he’s putting the work in. Michael had a good day.”
Suraci felt that it was not only a good day for the Spanish wideman, but also for the development of his young team.
He told afcb.co.uk: “As an experience, it was an excellent opportunity for the lads to grow.
“We started slowly and looked a bit nervous again, as a result we didn’t play as much as we would have liked. We looked a bit lethargic.
“Once we started to pass the ball and switch play, we came back into it and we scored, which moved us up a gear.
“After we scored the third the game was in our control, then we came out for the second half and the lads did alright.
“They scored two and to be fair, the lads saw the game out which is important for them and their careers.”
The fixture offered as the development squad’s second friendly in the space of a week following last Wednesday’s defeat to Luton Town’s under-21s on the road.
Further friendlies against Newport County under-21s and Eastleigh are still to follow ahead of the team’s next competitive fixture in the Premier League Cup.
While the games offer as a warm-up to facing off with QPR at Powerday Stadium on Monday 21st November, Suraci reiterated the importance of all fixtures in development football.
“We want to do well in the Premier League Cup, of course we do,” he said.
“The players want to win and the staff want to win, but every game in academy football is an experience.
“That’s whether it’s the Premier League Cup final or a friendly away against Wycombe at their training ground.
“There is always an opportunity to grow and if I compare it to Luton, I’d say we switched the ball better, we defended the box better and, at times, we pressed better.”
Suraci added: “We’ll be up and down because every game and every experience is a learning opportunity.”
