EDS vs Derby 19:00

[Sensanetional]

Talk about a game of 2 halves ! We started the game with a back 3, 2 holding (sort of) midfield players, 2 in front of them and then 3 across the top ( sort of). It was all a bit of a mess actually and we might easily have been more than 1 down at half time. A few decent bits and pieces but nothing really sustained or that suggested the players really knew what they were doing.

The back 3 included Jacob Davenport on the left side which is probably his first in that role and maybe weird as we had a center half on the bench. I guess it's all about trying systems out and within that players get different roles to experience. usually with a back 3 you can identify 2 wingbacks.Well if there were 2 it would I suppose have been Sancho and Buckley but I didn't see yhem gat back much so it wa all a dogs dinner.

Two players in particular were close to invisible and both were hooked at half time as Davies rang the changes. Diallo came on with Nmecha but more importantly we switched to a back 4. Even more importantly I though we came out with real intent and in the first minute Matt Smith crunched into two challenges which just had not been happening in the first half.

The changes changed the game totally and it was amazing we had not scored before Amrose did, pouncing on a save from a Nmecha header. Sancho had missed a one on one before that and Ambrose had one great attempt headed virtually off the line. We were now coming at them in waves with Diaz looking brilliant in a proper number 10 role and Sancho starting to scare them down the left.

Nmecha was playing wide right but he too was causing all sorts of problems.The 2nd came from a brilliant turn and break from Diaz ( not his first) and this time he got the pass right (just) for a flying Kongolo just to his right. Good finish off the bar. The 4th was Sancho cutting right across the area from the left and looking for space for a shot.The defence all moved across to stop him but he then just rolled it to Nmecha who instantly side footed it across the keeper from 12 yards. Great finish from a striker in great nick.

The 4th was another great break from Diaz, he fed Sancho in full flow, past the full back and pulled the ball back for the retreating full back to knock it into his own net.

We were really good in that 2nd half in almost every department. Maybe Tosin and Humphreys could have been better and more commanding, Davenport again showed he isn't a full back but 100% as ever. Matt Smith superb again despite some errant passing. Very pleased with Diallo when he came on and Kongolo showed much better when the system changed to sensible.

Interesting that with a big 18's game tomorrow v Chelsea 5 of tonights team ( Diaz, Smith, Sancho, Diallo and Nmecha certainly won't be playing in it. Which tells me the story that player development is more important than winning a trophy ar 18's level!

I expect a very young 18's side then against the strongest 18's out there. Wilson and Frimpong maybe as full backs. Midfield of Foden, Pozo, Dele- Bashiru, wit 3 up top of Poveda,Bolton and Gonzalez. Can't wait.

Expect the new kid Benjamin Garré to make a cameo tomorrow aswell..

 

[AshLunn92]

Talk about a game of 2 halves ! We started the game with a back 3, 2 holding (sort of) midfield players, 2 in front of them and then 3 across the top ( sort of). It was all a bit of a mess actually and we might easily have been more than 1 down at half time. A few decent bits and pieces but nothing really sustained or that suggested the players really knew what they were doing.

The back 3 included Jacob Davenport on the left side which is probably his first in that role and maybe weird as we had a center half on the bench. I guess it's all about trying systems out and within that players get different roles to experience. usually with a back 3 you can identify 2 wingbacks.Well if there were 2 it would I suppose have been Sancho and Buckley but I didn't see yhem gat back much so it wa all a dogs dinner.

Two players in particular were close to invisible and both were hooked at half time as Davies rang the changes. Diallo came on with Nmecha but more importantly we switched to a back 4. Even more importantly I though we came out with real intent and in the first minute Matt Smith crunched into two challenges which just had not been happening in the first half.

The changes changed the game totally and it was amazing we had not scored before Amrose did, pouncing on a save from a Nmecha header. Sancho had missed a one on one before that and Ambrose had one great attempt headed virtually off the line. We were now coming at them in waves with Diaz looking brilliant in a proper number 10 role and Sancho starting to scare them down the left.

Nmecha was playing wide right but he too was causing all sorts of problems.The 2nd came from a brilliant turn and break from Diaz ( not his first) and this time he got the pass right (just) for a flying Kongolo just to his right. Good finish off the bar. The 4th was Sancho cutting right across the area from the left and looking for space for a shot.The defence all moved across to stop him but he then just rolled it to Nmecha who instantly side footed it across the keeper from 12 yards. Great finish from a striker in great nick.

The 4th was another great break from Diaz, he fed Sancho in full flow, past the full back and pulled the ball back for the retreating full back to knock it into his own net.

We were really good in that 2nd half in almost every department. Maybe Tosin and Humphreys could have been better and more commanding, Davenport again showed he isn't a full back but 100% as ever. Matt Smith superb again despite some errant passing. Very pleased with Diallo when he came on and Kongolo showed much better when the system changed to sensible.

Interesting that with a big 18's game tomorrow v Chelsea 5 of tonights team ( Diaz, Smith, Sancho, Diallo and Nmecha certainly won't be playing in it. Which tells me the story that player development is more important than winning a trophy ar 18's level!

I expect a very young 18's side then against the strongest 18's out there. Wilson and Frimpong maybe as full backs. Midfield of Foden, Pozo, Dele- Bashiru, wit 3 up top of Poveda,Bolton and Gonzalez. Can't wait.

Agree with all of that but I think ambrose deserves a mention. He was outstanding again tonight, really found his flow again. Him and Diaz are the two who look to be outgrowing the academy now I think. They are both technically gifted and hard working but most importantly they are intelligent. Ambrose fought for every ball and looked dangerous throughout the second half.

the problem with Ambrose is I don't see any opportunities with the first team likely to present themselves to him when even Kelechi can't get a game. Diaz on the other hand... I will genuinely be absolutely gutted if he hasn't got a place in our first team within the next 1-2 years

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

Expect the new kid Benjamin Garré to make a cameo tomorrow aswell..

Now that would be fun but is he allowed to play yet?. Many of tomorrow's team were at tonight's game and one of them was Bobby Duncan. Can't wait to see him in action.

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

Agree with all of that but I think ambrose deserves a mention. He was outstanding again tonight, really found his flow again. Him and Diaz are the two who look to be outgrowing the academy now I think. They are both technically gifted and hard working but most importantly they are intelligent. Ambrose fought for every ball and looked dangerous throughout the second half.

the problem with Ambrose is I don't see any opportunities with the first team likely to present themselves to him when even Kelechi can't get a game. Diaz on the other hand... I will genuinely be absolutely gutted if he hasn't got a place in our first team within the next 1-2 years

You are spot on , Ambrose did deserve a very positive mention. Considering he was involved with the first team two years back and he is looking like he is getting back to his best. Just love his efforts getting to the longer balls.He wins headers he has no right to, takes balls on the chest others would be heading and is great at bringing others into play.

His goal was a real poachers goal and the one he nearly got getting onto that pass onto his chest and volleying just wide before the ball hit the ground was nothing short of sensational. Surely a must for the pre season tour. I would be taking 5 or 6 of our "kids"

 

[twosips]

If anyone fancies a more...er....alternative view of tonight's game then here you go! haha.



The sun was out and I was feeling creative so I made a 'vlog' of my evening at the game! Really, really enjoyed it.

Can only echo Nelly and Ash's posts re Ambrose. He's an excellent player who will, by hook or crook, make his way to the top of the game, even if it means leaving City first.

 

[Centurions]

I expect a very young 18's side then against the strongest 18's out there. Wilson and Frimpong maybe as full backs. Midfield of Foden, Pozo, Dele- Bashiru, wit 3 up top of Poveda,Bolton and Gonzalez. Can't wait.

Except for Garre taking Bolton's place (without inside knowledge impossible to predict) that was a pretty good guess.

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

Except for Garre taking Bolton's place (without inside knowledge impossible to predict) that was a pretty good guess.

Good to see Garre wasn't it. I can only assume Bolton has some kind of injury or maybe it was felt a rest might be wise.

Duheaney missed both Derby and Chelsea games but hopes to be fit for the cup final he said today. Watching on with Nmecha and Sancho.