AFC Bournemouth
Kent is Saturday’s destination for the Cherries under-18s as they take on Gillingham in Merit League One.
With two victories and three defeats behind the side, Dan Carroll’s team are at the halfway point of their fixtures in the 11-team division.
Reflecting on the first five games and looking forward to the next five, Remy Rees-Dottin was keen to see the young under-18 group grow closer together.
He told afcb.co.uk: “We’ve gelled really well as a group and we’ve managed to pick up some points with some really good performances.
“Coming into the second half of the campaign now, we’re a lot more together and we have a lot more chemistry, so I think we should be able to put in some more really good performances.”
The squad has been bolstered by the presence of under-16s and under-15s to accompany the first-year scholars.
Now part of the most experienced group of players in the team, the young winger was feeling the impact of leadership.
“You definitely have to be more of a leader and try and guide them where you can,” he explained.
“I think me personally and the rest of the team have done really well to help those young players fit right into the team and feel as comfortable as they can when playing.”
Those leadership skills have also been boosted by donning the armband for his team in recent weeks, adding to a handful of other under-18s who have done so.
Rees-Dottin said on the captaincy: “It’s a new responsibility for me because I’ve not been captain before, but I think I’ve taken the challenge on well.
“Dan Carroll putting his trust in me to be captain is a big thing for me.
“I’ve been able to show my leadership skills and show how I can help guide team with my communication and my playing style.
“It’s been a really important factor for me and, hopefully, I can help us deliver more good performances.”
Kick-off for the young Cherries’ next test is scheduled for 12pm at Gillingham’s Beechings Cross Training Ground.
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