Town’s kids driving club’s bright future MEL BOOTH analyses the key points from the victory over Bristol City
WHILE we already knew what a good player Emile Smith Rowe is, the proof was there for all to see in an outstanding performance against Bristol City.
The 19-year-old never once looked to be negative – his running with the ball and vision to pick out both team-mates and openings gave City the jitters throughout, and he deservedly earned a first Examiner marking this season of 9 out of 10.
I would suggest another season at this level for Smith Rowe would be ideal for Arsenal, playing under a manager like
Danny Cowley, who understands how to protect his ability and nurture his development.
Smith Rowe won’t be 20 until July 28 and, like Trevoh Chalobah who has been loaned out by Chelsea in the last two seasons and is still only 20, he could benefit from more time at the John Smith’s Stadium.
TOWN fans have always preferred to see their team having a go rather than being conservative. They’ll pretty much forgive any result and, indeed, any player, if they can see honest endeavour and positive intent.
Danny Cowley admits he is caught between a rock and a hard place in these three-game weeks because of the physical standing of the squad – some as a result of a woeful club preseason, some cases because of no pre-season, and others because of their age and lack of minutes this season.
He has also been changing around personnel in fairly dramatic fashion – five of his six January signings were in the starting line-up against the Robins and the other on the bench.
But the fans warmed to the positive selection of Lewis O’Brien alongside Jonathan Hogg, Chris Willock on the right wing and Emile Smith Rowe at No10 - providing the option for Karlan Grant on the left and either Fraizer Campbell or Steve Mounie up front.
More of the same, please.
IN every season, more often than not, a Town player will emerge to make themselves an automatic choice.
Right now, it’s that midfield ball of energy Lewis O’Brien.
The great news for Danny Cowley and supporters is that O’Brien is still only 21 and appears physically robust. Better still, having been with the club since the age of 11,he is contracted until the summer of 2022 and the club have the option to extend by a further year.
It would be naive to imagine Town’s resolve to keep him won’t be tested in the summer, but if he stays in blue and white stripes the next Jonathan Hogg is already in our midst.
LET’S not beat about the bush, Town could have stuck five past Bristol City. Embarrassed by the Robins when they played at Ashton Gate back in November – a seminal performance in many ways for the Cowley brothers – this 90 minutes was different gravy from the Terriers.
The three points were welcome and perhaps the only disappointment was the margin of victory.
Campbell missed a glorious free volleying chance when, perhaps, trying to be too spectacular. All he had to do was make contact and get it on target. Grant missed when wriggling his way clean through, Smith Rowe snatched at a clear rebound chance, and O’Brien found too narrow an angle when a cut-back would probably have brought a goal.
There were others, but the point is made.
Town can be much more clinical and ruthless in front of goal, and they have to be, but it was really encouraging to see Grant back to something like his menacing best.