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Under 23s & Academy 16/17


SaintRam

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0-0 at full time but a much better second half for the young Rams. Liverpool had plenty of the ball but created less chances. Jamie Hanson had a strong game at right centre half. 

Bryson gradually started to show his class in midfield and Kellan Gordon made some good runs and put in some lovely balls from the right hand side.

Elsnik hesitated too long when put through and the keeper saved, Bryson hit a screamer just over and Babos was on the end of a lovely move but his off-balance shot was well wide.

Olsson and Camara both played 60 minutes, Bryson the full 90. Mitchell our man of the match. 

Enjoyable but bloomin' freezing!

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Elsnik had the best chance of the game but not sure did we manage to have another effort on goal... Liverpool were wasteful, especially with freekicks which they had a lots of.

We played well about last 30 minutes. Pressed high (led by Bryson) and made difficult for them. Otherwise we were second best all night, thanks to Mitchell superb saves we managed to get a draw and even had opportunity to win it.

Camara and Olsson both had an hour after injuries, which is always positive. Stabana struggled a bit, Liverpool used mostly their left in the attacks. We had Guy, Elsnik and Bryson in the middle but still lost the midfield pretty easily. Goes to show how strong that Pool side is.

Mitchell our best, about 4 great saves companied with horrible distribution. MOM of the game was Sakho, he was head and shoulders above the rest (If PSG doesn't go for him, we should :ph34r:). Juanma, their wing back on the left had a good game too.

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Update (22 game season)

9 Leicester City U23   11 3 3 5 16 20   -4  12  LWWWD

10 Reading U23         11 3 2 6 18 26  -8   11   DLLDL

11 Derby County U23 11 2 3 6 14 23  -9    9   DLWDD

12 Tottenham U23      11 2 2 7 13 23 -10   8    DLDLL

 

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2 minutes ago, Jupiter said:

Didn't realise how young he was at the time we signed him. I remember talk of AC Milan offering him a trial

Can anyone who watches him play describe what kind of player he is? Comparable to any other strikers? Cheers

Harry Kane Jnr

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2 minutes ago, Andrew James said:

Should with our massive investment in the academy be beating an academy Colchester side ? 

We haven't really invested in any youth team players this season, and it saw a few leave at the end of last season (Calero, Ssewankambo), plus the likes of Lowe and Hanson being more involved with the 1st team.

 

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On 06/12/2016 at 12:36, Animal is a Ram said:

We haven't really invested in any youth team players this season, and it saw a few leave at the end of last season (Calero, Ssewankambo), plus the likes of Lowe and Hanson being more involved with the 1st team.

 

Indeed we released a whole load and then the likes of Zanzala got injured pre-season. While he was playing Vernam was being converted into an attaching midfielder, but with our lack of strikers he seems the (only) one bagging the goals. The only reasons I can think of for the lack of player investment is that we want them earlier to have more time to develop them through the ranks, and think we have good players coming through. But I'm disappointed our top flight status is very much at risk.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ouch ouch ouch.

They're pretty bad right now. No style of play. Little individual skill on show. Liverpool game was even worse - they absolutely battered us. Its worrying really the quality we don't have and the lack of a playing style. Mel needs to raise the bar in the academy in terms of scouting and getting some quality young guns in and getting an identifiable exciting playing style 

Man city were pretty good but they weren't that amazing: we just kinda let them play. 

 

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Not strengthening a team that's entire purpose is to get its best players ready for first team football so they can make the step-up was mad. I've no idea what went on behind the scenes there. 

It's not the end of the world. Winning or losing really isn't all that important at youth football, but it can be used as a very general measuring stick to compare squad quality and that's a scale we're sitting very low down on based on current outings.

Players can be average at best in youth and still turn up good where it matters in first teams, but the likelihood of any of them getting a chance at the moment lies completely with how desperate the first team gets through injury.

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On 12/20/2016 at 11:22, curtains said:

Very dissappointing result at home losing 5-1. 

Losing to flipping Colchester was worse ... but that said if they play beautiful creative football pressing high, who cares about wins and losses. We neither play flashy nor do we win. Time for change.

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Not hard to see why we might struggle at a higher level really.

We may have 2 or 3 who one day may make Championship football or above, but they're playing with lads who's careers will be lower league/non league at best.

We're playing teams who may have a similar amount make it at the top level, another half dozen who will make Championship/LG 1 level and so on, due to the massive investments they make in comparison.

It's been disappointing to be told the recruitment budget for the under 23's would be the envy of some Championship 1st teams, only to see that not be the case, but needs must I suppose.

Hopefully the OTR initiative will bear fruit in 5/6 years time.

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The recruitment since gaining cat one status has been shambolic.

Really thought we'd bring in some decent youngsters to compete in the top league, we've not replaced Calero, McDonald nor the injured Zanzala. 

Why is Lelan back? Wasn't good enough last time:ermm:

 

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