U18's games/results 2016/17

[twosips]

Joel Lati was great. Up against a giant of a CF - genuinely Lukaku sized and he was really strong and a proper leader. Gonzalez had a mixed game - some moments of brilliance but others where he overthought things. I really like his attitude and desire though and he's definitely a very good little forward with plenty of ability. Never stops running and has loads of skill.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

Nah, none are playing a year up, apart from Frimpong who's usually a 16 but he's stepped up cos of injuries. It was a team full of first year scholars, so all legit u18s - it's still impressive considering that we could feasibly use Nmecha, Diallo, Brahim, Patching, Duhaney, Davenport etc too if we wanted as they're only second years now and it'd be totally fine. Most u18s teams are a mix of 1st and 2nd years. We're just 1st years so it's very young - younger than basically every other team i'd suspect. It's the 2nd years that are basically playing up, working with the EDS despite their youth.

It was a good game. I don't think we were anywhere near our fluid best but we're just clinical as fuck and moments of brilliance won it really. Foden's goal was sublime - he's some talent.

Thanks for being so pedantic. By the team containing mostly 16 year olds (i.e first year scholars) it's basically the same as playing a year up (even if it's now their legitimate age bracket), against mainly 17/18 year olds - which is what I meant.

Anyway, the whole academy programme to push youngsters up an age group is proving effective. Obviously their hand was forced due to the quality of last year's 16s, but it will hopefully accelerate that development and see even more first team integration within 2 or 3 years.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Joel Lati was great. Up against a giant of a CF - genuinely Lukaku sized and he was really strong and a proper leader. Gonzalez had a mixed game - some moments of brilliance but others where he overthought things. I really like his attitude and desire though and he's definitely a very good little forward with plenty of ability. Never stops running and has loads of skill.

Thanks pal,just seen your tweet regarding Joel :-)

Thats what strikes me about Lorenzo - ability and desire (plus physique...) - a potent and succesful mix hopefully.

 

[twosips]

Thanks for being so pedantic. By the team containing mostly 16 year olds (i.e first year scholars) it's basically the same as playing a year up (even if it's now their legitimate age bracket), against mainly 17/18 year olds - which is what I meant.

Anyway, the whole academy programme to push youngsters up an age group is proving effective. Obviously their hand was forced due to the quality of last year's 16s, but it will hopefully accelerate that development and see even more first team integration within 2 or 3 years.

Sorry, wasn't being a pedant intentionally. Genuinely thought you thought they weren't in their legitimate age bracket. But yeah, agree with your wider point obviously.

 

[twosips]

Thanks pal,just seen your tweet regarding Joel :-)

Thats what strikes me about Lorenzo - ability and desire (plus physique...) - a potent and succesful mix hopefully.

Yes, definitely. He's a very exciting talent. Just as excited about Bobby Duncan next year too, and I have to give a shoutout to Hardy. Actually feel for him as he struggled to get games last year at all due to Nmecha and Buckley being ahead of him and he barely played. Started this season and he's averaging a goal a game whenever he plays, even scoring today, and now he's kinda down the pecking order again too. Yet he scored for the EDS the other day! It's an odd one for him, but he's another very effective striker and he 100% knows where the back of the net is.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

Sorry, wasn't being a pedant intentionally. Genuinely thought you thought they weren't in their legitimate age bracket. But yeah, agree with your wider point obviously.

No worries!

Appreciate all the insight and info you give that's not available to the average fan. I have a similar passion for the academy but can't always give as much time to it as I'd like, so any time you share match reports/player reports/etc I'm always eager to read. Keep it up.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Yes, definitely. He's a very exciting talent. Just as excited about Bobby Duncan next year too, and I have to give a shoutout to Hardy. Actually feel for him as he struggled to get games last year at all due to Nmecha and Buckley being ahead of him and he barely played. Started this season and he's averaging a goal a game whenever he plays, even scoring today, and now he's kinda down the pecking order again too. Yet he scored for the EDS the other day! It's an odd one for him, but he's another very effective striker and he 100% knows where the back of the net is.

Its all brilliant,my only 'concern' is that we're inevitably going to lose some along the way,i just hope the coaches get that unenviable call right.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Just as excited about Bobby Duncan next year too

Indeed,as this tweet is testament,and is becoming very familiar...:-)

Bobby Duncan ‏@bobbyduncan999


Good 3-0 win this morning vs walsall u18s, great to score 2 and 1 assist great team performance, now ready for the Christmas brake
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I'll forgive him the spelling!

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

Indeed,as this tweet is testament,and is becoming very familiar...:-)

Bobby Duncan ‏@bobbyduncan999


Good 3-0 win this morning vs walsall u18s, great to score 2 and 1 assist great team performance, now ready for the Christmas brake
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I'll forgive him the spelling!

This kid is a beast at his age group, I don't mean in size but in ability. Scores nearly every week!

It's no wonder that the club put on a car for him to get to school, training, etc.

 

[FantasyIreland]

This kid is a beast at his age group, I don't mean in size but in ability. Scores nearly every week!

It's no wonder that the club put on a car for him to get to school, training, etc.

We definitely have to look after him,not only because of his talent but also his links to Gerrard/Liverpool - they'll(amongst many others) be very aware of his ability and any signs of disgruntlement will be seized upon IMO.