Actually Jayden Smith is an interesting one. Still only 17. But he's hardly kicked a football the last 6 months. Required to sit on the bench for the ALM side due to a lack of CB cover.
Meant he missed nearly all of the National League phase last October-November. Plus the start of this Central League season.
Not ideal for the development of a young outfield player. They need to play.
Hopefully he gets a run for U20s in Chile. Must be talented to be picked as a 17 yr old, and their being a few other eligible NZU20 CBs around at other ALM clubs.
But yeah a bit different to that other Sth Island CB Surman who came to the club from Selwyn as a 15-16 yr old. Two years in the Academy, and then into the first team squad as a 18-19 yr old.
Meant he missed nearly all of the National League phase last October-November. Plus the start of this Central League season.
Not ideal for the development of a young outfield player. They need to play.
Hopefully he gets a run for U20s in Chile. Must be talented to be picked as a 17 yr old, and their being a few other eligible NZU20 CBs around at other ALM clubs.
But yeah a bit different to that other Sth Island CB Surman who came to the club from Selwyn as a 15-16 yr old. Two years in the Academy, and then into the first team squad as a 18-19 yr old.