A Welsh Odyssey for the Bromley Boys

I work at a school, so I steamed out of the gates as soon as the school day ended to see what the M4 had to offer. It served up a 45-minute delay, of course, but I made it in time for a Newport burger prior to kick-off. While chomping on my burger, I discovered a team sheet sans Grant Smith. As Andy implied in a recent interview, having the best goalie in League Two matters little if he’s laid up on his sick bed, so it was time for Sam Long to step up, and step up he did. The young stopper put in a very creditable performance, which suggests that, subject to a new contract, the goalkeeping jersey needs little attention in the close season.

With that shock out of the way, there were a few more interesting selections to digest (along with the Newport burger). I was pleased to see Idris back. He feels like a more natural left-back than Adam Mayor, who has been great, but looks like an attacker filling in. And on that note, can we agree that Corey Whitely is not a full-back? In this game, he showed the trait that Andy mentions time and again, his energy up the pitch, but that energy is better used higher up. Check the highlights to see who won the ball back to set up Kamarl’s ‘would’ve been goal-of-the-season if it hadn’t hit the post’ shot. With so much discussion about how our non-league stars like Cheek and Smith have adapted to League Two, it’s easy to overlook Corey. He’s had a super season.

Selecting Bromley’s two centre-backs has started to feel a little like a fruit machine. Which pairing will show up today? Press the button to find out. It really is an area of strength for the club as all four (or five) centre-back candidates have different strengths. But while I trust Andy is taking a horses-for-courses approach, it seems vital to play Deji as often as possible. He’s our player now and has the raw materials to be a great centre-back. However, he needs to learn his trade, particularly when it comes to decision-making, and getting game-time is the best way to hammer home those lessons. Has anyone imagined a hybrid Bromley CB that combines Omar’s height with Byron’s experience and communication and Maldini’s power, all wrapped up in a Deji-shaped package? Unstoppable!