Reserves

[Thracian]

Anyone with any doubts who should be taking the free-kicks for City's first team should have watched the Reserves tonight.

Alan Sheehan who I've cited as being by far the best left-back at the club and having the best left foot at the club has actually got one of the most educated left feet in the country on this show.

He took two central free-kicks from 30+ yards in the second half. The first bent round the wall and smashed into the net at such speed the goalkeeper hardly moved but sadly it was disallowed for some infringement.

The second, from an almost identical place bent so much and went so hard that the goalkeeper, forwarned though he may have been, gave no real indication that he even saw it before it bulged the net.

On another occasion he took a pass and whistled a cracking shot narrowly wide.

Sheehan's single goal added to an inevitable goal from Ashley Chambers which was another absolute gem out of nowhere. It was bent in from fully 25 yards and was enough to earn City a 2-2 draw against Hammers who had such notables as Shake Hislop in goal.

For entertainment the Reserves tonight left the first team standing. Conditions, with some of the most torrential rain they've seen in Hinckley for a while, never favoured defenders and when chances arose they were often spectacular.

One City shot nearly broke the crossbar and could well have bounced down over the line but it was all so fast no-one had a chance of telling for sure. Chambers solicited three chances early in the second half which he perhaps should have taken before taking the fourth which probably only he would have scored.

Manouvring across the outside of the box and closely marshalled he somehow engineered a narrow gap and curled a wicked strike into the corner of the net, giving City the lead.

Obviously taking after the first team they then lost all momentum and were overwhelmed by West Ham. Gilbert, who had a solid but unspectacular and uncreative first half, was replaced in the second spell and West Ham started to run rampant down that side and the left.

Poor Sheehan, a class apart at centre-back, looked on as defenders suddenly started to over-commit themselves on the treacherous surface and only last ditch clearances, the brilliance of City's goalkeeper Conrad Logan and some ordinary finishing restricted West Ham to two goals both from right side breaks.

One of City's big problems was that Levi Porter - normally a winger, was drafted into midfield and although always busy looked completely overwhelmed and out of his element.

City recovered the initiative once more in the last few minutes and Sheehan's goal was a fitting climax.

Good game, lots of good shots, spectacular saves and wholehearted effort. A pleasure to watch - and in particular that deft left foot of Sheehan whose close control on a night when all around him had difficulty killing the ball, was exemplary.

Certainly he made the odd mistake like others but it was what he did which was so conspicuous. Especially his two genuinely Beckhamesque free-kicks.

[Bert]

You should take Jon Sanders job!!

Well done on scoring Chambo!!

[Gené and Tonic]

Sounds like we should be watching them every week, heck, it's far easier for me to get there!

It's good to see you have such commitment, no way would I have ventured out in that storm!

Oh BTW, is Sheehn a left back or a centre back? What's his natural position?

[Libertine]

Nice to see Chambo scoring again, and Sheehan.

[lookwhaticando]

He plays at Left-Back most of the time, if you believe what the OS Says

Alan joined City in July 2003 after being spotted by a scout playing for Belvedere FC. He has become a regular in both the Academy under 19s and the reserves, playing at left-back.

[Nationwider]

Thanks for another excellent Reserves report, Mr.T.

Sheehan and Hammond will surely start against Derby?

Won't they?

[Thracian]

Sounds like we should be watching them every week, heck, it's far easier for me to get there!

It's good to see you have such commitment, no way would I have ventured out in that storm!

Oh BTW, is Sheehn a left back or a centre back? What's his natural position?

Natural postition? Good question. He reads the game so well and his first touch if you watch closely is invariably cushioned to perfection and unlike many around him, certainly tonight, he rarely dives in or tackles indiscretely.

His distribution is early and always positiive. He rarely passes without a proper purpose.

I just wonder if he's too small for being a sweeper and whether the responsibility of central defence stiffles too many of his excellent attacking qualities.

Pushed for an opinion and basing it on seeing him only twice at centre-back I'd say left back.

I honestly believe he could be one of the best attacking left-backs in the country.

His positional play, his timing of the tackle, his discipline in being aware of his place in the back line, ball control more normally associated with a forward, being a natural left-footer, his ability to flight and bend free-kicks and passes, his athleticism whichs allow him to cover lots of ground without apparent distress, and his utter calmness in every situation and an often unseen determination make him a rare breed indeed.

In fact with Stearman right and Sheehan left we could be shaping up to have a pair of regular international full-backs of the future.

I didn't mention in my thread but there seemed a decent crowd there too for the conditions so I'm sure we'll get some other views.

[Thracian]

I doubt even Levein's closest couldn't guess what he'll do next. I've never managed it. But fingers crossed.

[Thracian]

Thanks for another excellent Reserves report, Mr.T.

Sheehan and Hammond will surely start against Derby?

Won't they?

Thanks to for your appreciation. Sorry I pressed the wrong button. See post 1,462.

[Ric Flair]

I went last night and I echo everything Thracian has said. Alan Sheehan was phenomenal at the back and his free-kicks were unbelievable. I've never seen anybody score one, have another disallowed and another that hit the bar and you could argue it crossed the line. He hits them harder than Stuart Pearce and Ronald Koeman used to hit them. Lethal.

If Levein doesn't take notice of that performance then he needs his eyes testing, the lad was everywhere in very difficult conditions.

Ashley Chambers was as lethal as ever and his goal was superb and it was a pleasure to watch him upfront with Louis Dodds who gave West Ham the run around aswell. Chambers and Sheehan's goals are the best two goals i've seen City score for a long, long while it's just a shame these two aren't playing in the first team more often.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself last night, even in the rain and it was an experience I haven't had for a long time watching the first team. I just hope the first team can learn a few things from these youngsters.

Chambers never fails to amaze me and if Levein wants to take the pressure of himself he should get this lad on the bench for Derby and throw him on with 30 mins to go. Sheehan has got to play on saturday, his free kicks could be crucial especially away from home when chances are often at a premium.

Entrance Fee - £2, Couple of Beers - £5, Entertainment Value - Spot On!! Would you get that watching the first team?? Would you bollocks.

[BristolBasedFox]

Great reports, sounds good for the future.

Having never been to a reserve game, was Levein there ?

[Ric Flair]

Great reports, sounds good for the future.

Having never been to a reserve game, was Levein there ?

I didn't see him there last night, but he has been to a few. I reckon he was at the Watford game a few weeks ago down at Hinckley.

[Katy]

@ Craig Levein. If us mere mortals can see the obvious potential in these lads, why cant he?

[Ric Flair]

@ Craig Levein. If us mere mortals can see the obvious potential in these lads, why cant he?

I think it's perhaps unfair to say he hasn't recognised their talent because to be fair he's been the only manager we've had in a long while who's not scared to give the youngsters a chance. I just think he's being abit indecisive when it comes to Sheehan as he has been with all the left backs at this club.

For any manager to give a 15 year old a chance in the first team is a brave man and although he only got a few minutes at the end I think Levein should take some credit for giving this lad a springboard for the future at this club.

Having said that, for Levein to ease the pressure off himself playing players on merit rather than reputation will be noted by the fans and as Sheehan and Chambers are doing the business for the reserves perhaps they should get a chance at Derby.

[Katy]

I think it's perhaps unfair to say he hasn't recognised their talent because to be fair he's been the only manager we've had in a long while who's not scared to give the youngsters a chance. I just think he's being abit indecisive when it comes to Sheehan as he has been with all the left backs at this club.

For any manager to give a 15 year old a chance in the first team is a brave man and although he only got a few minutes at the end I think Levein should take some credit for giving this lad a springboard for the future at this club.

Having said that, for Levein to ease the pressure off himself playing players on merit rather than reputation will be noted by the fans and as Sheehan and Chambers are doing the business for the reserves perhaps they should get a chance at Derby.

Heres hoping but im thinking I would be more likely to be playing myself than them. Grrrr sorry im in a bad mood today, im sure CL will do the right thing by them, maybe he is trying to protect them as they are so young but Sheehan in particular is more than capable of cutting it with the big boys, but dropping him out of sight for no apparent reason will do him no good at all.

[Ric Flair]

Heres hoping but im thinking I would be more likely to be playing myself than them. Grrrr sorry im in a bad mood today, im sure CL will do the right thing by them, maybe he is trying to protect them as they are so young but Sheehan in particular is more than capable of cutting it with the big boys, but dropping him out of sight for no apparent reason will do him no good at all.

I totally agree, it can't be doing his confidence any good. You've just got to hope that CL has got good man management skills and is constantly praising Sheehan and telling him that he is in his plans and he will play if he continues to do well for the reserves. I have no answer for why he has been dropped twice this season though considering we have won both games that Sheehan has played.

[supedaj]

thanks to Thracian and Ric for the excellent review about yesterdays game and in particular how Sheehan played ...

[LCFC-IAN]

I was at the game but did not see why Norval was sent off, so why was he?

[Louise]

I have no answer for why he has been dropped twice this season though considering we have won both games that Sheehan has played.

Because he spends too much time worrying about what the other team is doing. Every time I've listened to Levein before a match he's always had a reason for changing the team around, and in narrow terms they're always good reasons as well, for example 'oh they've got a very big team so we're putting Dublin in at the back this time' or 'they're a very physical side so I don't think it would be right to play the less experienced players'. However because he is worrying too much about what the other team is doing he seems to fail to notice that it would be better if we had a settled side. The same goes for formation.

[Thracian]

I was at the game but did not see why Norval was sent off, so why was he?

He squared up to a tiny lad who niggled him (with a tackle and afters from what I could see). Norval seemed to shove the lad (not especially hard) and put his head by his face in a threatening manner. Inevitable decision from the ref and a fairly low-key offence but totally stupid from the Leicester lad.

[Thracian]

I went last night and I echo everything Thracian has said. Alan Sheehan was phenomenal at the back and his free-kicks were unbelievable. I've never seen anybody score one, have another disallowed and another that hit the bar and you could argue it crossed the line. He hits them harder than Stuart Pearce and Ronald Koeman used to hit them. Lethal.

If Levein doesn't take notice of that performance then he needs his eyes testing, the lad was everywhere in very difficult conditions.

Ashley Chambers was as lethal as ever and his goal was superb and it was a pleasure to watch him upfront with Louis Dodds who gave West Ham the run around aswell. Chambers and Sheehan's goals are the best two goals i've seen City score for a long, long while it's just a shame these two aren't playing in the first team more often.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself last night, even in the rain and it was an experience I haven't had for a long time watching the first team. I just hope the first team can learn a few things from these youngsters.

Chambers never fails to amaze me and if Levein wants to take the pressure of himself he should get this lad on the bench for Derby and throw him on with 30 mins to go. Sheehan has got to play on saturday, his free kicks could be crucial especially away from home when chances are often at a premium.

Entrance Fee - £2, Couple of Beers - £5, Entertainment Value - Spot On!! Would you get that watching the first team?? Would you bollocks.

We would have had the FOUR best goals seen from Leicester shirts "in a long time" if Sheehan's other scoring free kick had been allowed and the shot which nearly broke the bar had been adjudged to have crossed the line...all in one night and in the pouring rain!. If it carries on like this there'll be more watching the reserves than the first team by Christmas. Like you say, Ric Flair, a load of fun:)

[Guest]

Because he spends too much time worrying about what the other team is doing.

Good teams, and indeed good managers, do not concern themselves too much with the opposition. CL should be concentrating on getting the team playing the way he wants, not trying to get them to counter the opposition. No wonder we aren't scoring.

[Darth Fox]

What was the attendance like like last night at rainy Hinckley?

[The People's Hero]

Good teams, and indeed good managers, do not concern themselves too much with the opposition. CL should be concentrating on getting the team playing the way he wants, not trying to get them to counter the opposition. No wonder we aren't scoring.

Absolutely spot on.

[Thracian]

What was the attendance like like last night at rainy Hinckley?

Didn't hear an attendance announcement but it struck me as pretty good, especially in the torrential rain. Whether it was because pretty well everyone was sheltering in the main stand I don't know but I'd have though 450/500. If someone knows better please say so cos I don't claim any talent at judging crowd numbers.