Adam Birchall was impressed with Max Dowman’s willingness to continue playing to his strengths, despite Norwich City’s best efforts to stop him on Saturday.
Dowman looked dangerous throughout the 3-1 win and scored two penalties in the second half to earn our under-18s three points.
“He’s been outstanding and I’m really pleased with Max today,” Birchall said. “He scored his two goals.
“I think he showed a different side to him today. Well, not a different side, but he got a chance to develop the side of him when opposition players are trying to stop you through different ways. Maybe fouling, maybe things off the ball.
“He showed a real mentality to stick at it today and keep playing his game. Because it's a difficult thing as a young player when other players are trying to use physicality or aggression against you to keep yourself focused and maintain your football thinking, and I thought he did that really well today. So, I was really pleased with him.”
On the overall performance, Birchall added: ”Obviously I’m pleased with the three goals, the three points. We spoke as a group. We’re unhappy really with some of the moments in the game that we could have managed better, in particular their goal. We spoke about that pressure when we lose the ball, how quickly we can get pressure onto the ball to stop the other team counter-attacking.
“We knew that was Norwich's game plan today at times, so we felt we could have done better with that, but I think our first goal was a really well-taken goal, a very good team goal. We build up from one end to the other, but I think as a group of players and staff, we can definitely control moments in the opposition half better. Because I think we showed some real development in that, in terms of checking right, checking left, through the middle.
“But when we don't quite execute, how quickly do we win it back and stop it from turning into a bit more like a basketball match at times?”
Our young Gunners have now scored 21 goals in the last six games, winning five matches in a row.
“It's just really important for the lads' development,” Birchall said. “It is vital in terms of the run that the boys are on.
“But we're working really hard and the lads are putting in a lot of effort on the training pitch in terms of finishing. It's something that we've definitely increased this season and we're definitely seeing the lads being able to showcase that on match day. So, really proud of them with that, but there's still a lot of work to do.”
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