Lee and Butcher make great debuts for AFCB

It was not really known who Eddie would pick to start against Birmingham in the cup, but we knew there would be changes. The position of left back though has been Charlie Daniels all season barring a few minutes and so it was perhaps a surprise to see Matt Butcher come into the side playing slightly out of position there. He was joined in an experimental back four by Jordan Lee at right back who had captained the U21 side in midweek and that meant Adam Smith could also have a rest head of the West Ham game on Tuesday.

Matt Butcher gets a call up to the first team.

Eddie Howe made it very clear that he was very pleased to blood these players in the FA Cup and he also admitted that it was very hard to find games when he could give youth its chance. For the fans it is great to see players like Matt Butcher and Jordan Lee get their chance and they did not let anyone down. The back four was perhaps the one section of the team where fans would not have expected to see so much rotation, but the manager will be delighted that Matt and Jordan came through the test well as Birmingham attacked with real quality down both wings.

Jordan Lee at St Andrews.

Listening to Matt and Jordan's interviews it was only late on when both players knew that they would be starting on Saturday. Matt Butcher said the team did some work on shaping on Friday that gave him a good indication that he would start, having also played at left back earlier in the week against Colchester rather than in his usual midfield role. Jordan was also pleased to be playing with Sylvan and Baily and his game was quite an exciting one in the first 20 minutes up against Solomon-Otabor, but he grew into the task and got forward himself as the game developed.

Jason Tindall on the team news with debuts for Jordan Lee and Matt Butcher.

While AFCB continue to buy in big signings it is hard for the U21 to see an easy path through to the first team, but there are many players that are getting closer to the first team now that have come through the youth system. In the future I hope that we see more of them make the jump into first team games. It is a big jump up in class now that AFCB are a Premier League team. Jordan Green and Josh Wakefield were also on the bench for this FA Cup match and perhaps they will get a chance in the Fourth round.