Development squad keeps evolving

There was only a few references made to the release of Jordan Chiedoze last week from AFCB's Development squad ranks. I don't know what the reasoning was behind the decision but it was a surprise to see the pre-season leading scorer not being offered another contract at AFCB. Jordan is playing now for Poole Town and I wish him all the best as he looks for a new club to take on his services. It kind of shows you how difficult it is to make it in the football game when everything appears to be going well. Your first contract can also be your last. Charlie Losasso was also released by AFCB last week, although there were quite a few new recruits in January.

Jordan Chiedoze looks for more goals at Poole Town.

It does make you wonder how much talent is lost to the game in those early years. But other players will take these kind of decisions as a means to go on and prove people wrong and to succeed in the long run. It cannot be easy to pick yourself up, but as a youngster you always have age on your side. It was a little different when Big Fletch was let go by Kevin Bond, having been an established player towards the end of his career. But the wheel of football has many unkind stories as well as fabulous ones.

The players who are now at the Development squad should be looking to become part of the first team squad, and the way we have seen many of the first team using the Development team games to get their fitness back is clear evidence that Eddie Howe wants the Development players to get game time with better players and to learn quickly.

Sam Matthews before the Real Madrid match.

If you look around the Championship there are teenagers who are playing for the first team or at least on the subs benches of a few teams and Eddie wants to see some youth as well as experience at AFCB. I have high hopes for players like Sam Matthews, Josh Carmichael and Josh Wakefield make the jump to the first team in time. We have seen how hard that has been for Joe Partington who is currently on loan at Aldershot and for Jayden Stockley who is on loan at Torquay. But having a strong Development team will be crucial in the Championship and I hope to hear more success stories rather than those leaving in the future.