Jebbison, Aarons And Juanlu All Feature As AFCB U21's Beat Cardiff 3-2

This evening, many AFC Bournemouth fans would have been left slightly surprised when checking the Development Squads team sheet to see 3 first team players all in the squad for the game against Cardiff City at the Wyatt Homes Stadium.

For both Aarons and Jebbison, it looks like both of them will be leaving the club in the January transfer window, so it is understandable for both of them to get minutes in the legs by playing in the PL2. 

For Juanlu, the Spaniard came off with some slight discomfort in his ankle midway through the first half, which will be incredibly frustrating for him. He has had a frustrating start to life at AFCB, having to battle his way through several small injury issues, as well as Adam Smith continuing to be exemplary at the right back position under Marco Rose.

As for the game, it was a great bounce back victory for Alan McConnell's team, who suffered a heart-breaking last minute 4-3 loss to a strong Brentford team last week. Highly rated Malcom DaCosta Gonzalez scored 2 in the first half, with Jebbison also scoring midway through the second half.

As Jebbison isn't in the Europa League squad, it poses the question as to if he should leave permanently in the January transfer window, The Canadian will be a great role model to have in and around the academy squad, but for the better of his career, he may need to look for an EFL move to progress his career. 

When speaking to captain Charlie Stevens last Monday after the Brentford game, he mentioned about how the squad look up to players like Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura, who were the last 2 academy players to break out and play consistent minutes for the men's first team.

Having 3 players who are in the first team start tonight, and Milosavljevic also starting over the last few weeks will be great for the squad to familiarise themselves with how established professionals apply themselves on and off the pitch.

Having some of the first team play will only be a positive for the Development Squad, as it will also give the players whose positions in the starting XI got lost to players like Jebbison or Aarons, a big point to prove when they come on and get minutes later on in the game.

Healthy competition breeds success, and that has been evident in the start to the season that the under 21's have had, as they are sat 9th after the first 6 games, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 2.