City EDS vs. United at the Etihad on May 17th

[mike channon´s windmill]

What on fookin earth were we doing playing that shitty game at the Etihad
?

Youth set up needs overhauling before we open the new Campus academy

 

[mad zab]

Last night's "performance" merely confirmed to me what I've been saying on here for the past two or three years... that we have fallen some way back since our last FA Youth Cup winning side.

I have been very critical of City's youth set-up since the departure of Cassell, I have questioned the ability and vision (and CV) of those such as Welsh and Sellars et al, and last night was one of the poorest performances I have seen from such a seemingly highly rated reserve team.

There is no point spending mega-millions on a new Academy development when the fundamentals (Leadership, coaching, scouting, player development) appear to be so lacking. The embarrassing performances in the NextGen games must surely have rung the alarm-bells at City, and I hope that there is a serious shake-up this close season.

I appreciate that we are relatively "successful" in terms of the youth leagues, but we have failed miserably in the games that matter. Sorry to be so downbeat in such a wondrous week for the club, but if our intention is to grow our own we need to have a radical rethink.

Not a one of the players last night will make it to City's first team. I doubt that the vast majority of them will even make it to Championship level. The hype surrounding Assulin, Suarez and Razak is just that... hype.

The only bright spot was the showing of Helan at left back. But too many others could barely pass a ball or control it. Hugely disappointing given the occasion.

Having said that, the rags are little better. Pogba is at best decent, the rest are average (but at least committed), but they did have the best player on the pitch, Keane the centre-forward. Very impressive.

We need a new Academy figurehead asap. We need coaches commensurate with the level we want players to perform at. I know Cassell was viewed as being great at producing "teams" rather than "players". But last night's team was a pale shadow of even the players such as Trippier, Mee, Weiss, Boyata, Tutte and Mak.

Sorry Soulboy, but I completely disagree with you.

Where are all the players who won the youth cup?

Last night I saw a team trying to play the same way as the first team by controlling the football for long periods, which they did. However, they lacked a cutting edge.

I believe only Wabara, Suarez, Rekik and Hiwula will be the only ones with any future at the club from last night's side.

It isn't about winning at this level, but getting players ready to challenge for a first team place. I don't expect any of them to do this until another 2 years. We have time on our side.

I hate rags celebrating at our ground!

 

[ell]

Personally think united defended very well and we had a total lack of quality up front.

In my opinion Razak Suarez Helan and Rekik all have very bright futures Wabara/Assulin in the group behind.

 

[Soulboy]

Last night's "performance" merely confirmed to me what I've been saying on here for the past two or three years... that we have fallen some way back since our last FA Youth Cup winning side.

I have been very critical of City's youth set-up since the departure of Cassell, I have questioned the ability and vision (and CV) of those such as Welsh and Sellars et al, and last night was one of the poorest performances I have seen from such a seemingly highly rated reserve team.

There is no point spending mega-millions on a new Academy development when the fundamentals (Leadership, coaching, scouting, player development) appear to be so lacking. The embarrassing performances in the NextGen games must surely have rung the alarm-bells at City, and I hope that there is a serious shake-up this close season.

I appreciate that we are relatively "successful" in terms of the youth leagues, but we have failed miserably in the games that matter. Sorry to be so downbeat in such a wondrous week for the club, but if our intention is to grow our own we need to have a radical rethink.

Not a one of the players last night will make it to City's first team. I doubt that the vast majority of them will even make it to Championship level. The hype surrounding Assulin, Suarez and Razak is just that... hype.

The only bright spot was the showing of Helan at left back. But too many others could barely pass a ball or control it. Hugely disappointing given the occasion.

Having said that, the rags are little better. Pogba is at best decent, the rest are average (but at least committed), but they did have the best player on the pitch, Keane the centre-forward. Very impressive.

We need a new Academy figurehead asap. We need coaches commensurate with the level we want players to perform at. I know Cassell was viewed as being great at producing "teams" rather than "players". But last night's team was a pale shadow of even the players such as Trippier, Mee, Weiss, Boyata, Tutte and Mak.

Sorry Soulboy, but I completely disagree with you.

Where are all the players who won the youth cup?

Last night I saw a team trying to play the same way as the first team by controlling the football for long periods, which they did. However, they lacked a cutting edge.

I believe only Wabara, Suarez, Rekik and Hiwula will be the only ones with any future at the club from last night's side.

It isn't about winning at this level, but getting players ready to challenge for a first team place. I don't expect any of them to do this until another 2 years. We have time on our side.

I hate rags celebrating at our ground!

No problem you disagreeing with me mate, it's all about opinions.

You say where are all the players from the last FA Youth Cup wiinning team?

Probably in the Championship. Or even lower down.

But that's my point. They couldn't make it at Premiership level, so the current crop have absolutely no chance given that they are far inferior to that team.

I take your point it's not about winning trophies, it's about developing players. However, I have seen these kids from 2-3 years ago and none of them look as promising as they did then. And that's worrying.

In my opinion, none of the players you suggest might make it will... whereas I think Helan might just might...

Only time will tell. But I have held these views for a couple of years now, and I have had numerous members of the training ground mafia trying to convince me that everything's fine. I remain to be convinced.