Reserves tonight

[Scow]

I can honestly say that Dawson has alot more to offer than both Joey and Gemmill after watching him this season. I just wish he was given a chance, hopefully Levein will recognise this in time.

[Steven]

Reserves Coast To Victory

Nathan Blake opened the scoring as City's second string breezed to a 3-0 win over West Ham United at Rockingham Road.

Leicester took an experienced line-up to face the Hammers with Gareth Williams and Tommy Wright also chipping in with goals to rack up all three points.

In the early stages the Foxes opened up some good opportunites by attacking the byline, yet no-one could find that finishing touch to some promising looking crosses.

Despite City's pressure, West Ham had the first real chance to break the deadlock. Moses Ashikodi, picking up on a rare loose pass, bore down on goal but Conrad Logan came to meet him and bravely slid in to snatch the ball off his toes.

Leicester took a hold of the game just before the half hour mark, a good move gave Williams a sight of goal and though his shot was deflected wide the stage was set for City's first. Matthew Heath could not believe it when his header from the resulting corner hit the post and was cleared off the line, but Blake hit the target moments later from a carbon copy set piece.

The signs pointed to this 27th minute strike opening the floodgates for City and so it proved. They took a two goal lead into the interval after Trevor Benjamin nicked the ball off a panicked Hammers defender and slotted the ball through to Blake. In the last action of the half the goalscorer then turned provider, releasing a marauding Williams into the area to double Leicester's advantage at the break.

Playing out of his usual forward position, Tommy Wright still managed to get on the scoresheet to finish the job before the hour. A fine, deep cross found Wright powering into the box from the left wing and he struck it sweetly on the volley to put the icing on the cake.

CITY: Logan, Canero (Lycett 45), Sheehan, Dawson, Dublin, Heath, Butcher (Wesolowski 77), Williams, Blake, Benjamin, Wright

Subs (not used): Dodds, Gondal, Wykes

Booked: Wright 32, Dawson 39, Heath 74, Sheehan 88

[shen]

Great result and performance by the reserves! And seems the key players (Williams, Dawson, Wright..) played well. Did Levein watch the game?

Saw the pics on the OS and was impressed by the supporter presence for the game

for those showing up on a (presumably) cold tuesday evening!

[Ric Flair]

Levein will of been there, the Hearts fans say he went to almost every reserve match, especially the homes one's. He also watched alot of the youth games when he got the chance, he's a fanatic.

As Teeno said, we need to give Levein time to get to know the youngsters. If Dawson and Wright play like they did last night i'm sure Levein won't have any problems with giving them a chance. Remember it's Levein in charge now and not micky mouse, at Hearts Levein brought through about ten players or something like that from the youth and reserves!

I think he needs to nip Gemmill in the bud though, he's shocking. Williams has got to be back in and after a goal last night and what sounded like a great game he must be impressing Levein. If Gemmill get's a new deal i'll be mad, it's a chance for Levein to get another player in if he can afford to keep yo hair on.

Hopefully there were some scouts at the game last night watching larger than life Blakey.

I do prefer the team to be a mixture of youths and first teamers as it means that the younger players like Dawson, Wright and Stearman get valuable experience and gives them more of a chance to put a better individual and team performance.

[Scow]

I do prefer the team to be a mixture of youths and first teamers as it means that the younger players like Dawson, Wright and Stearman get valuable experience and gives them more of a chance to put a better individual and team performance.

39422[/snapback]

I think you're right. I was all for the idea of the reserves to be mainly comprised of youngsters at the beginning of the season, but if things don't go well, then they're likely to lose alot of confidence over it. I know they have been playing against a few experienced reserve sides, and have done well in the circumstances, but the results have been generally disappointing.

Having a few first teamers in the reserves will aid the development of those players mentioned, and hopefully improve results/performances at the same time. It will be interesting to see if the likes of Dawson/Wright are on the bench this Saturday, especially as we have a few injuries.