Just got back

[1973_Blade]

The young blades did us proud.

They played really well and battled for everything. At times there was a tendency to over play it and at least one of the goals could have been sorted if they had put the boot through the ball. Manure had some very talented players, but I felt that we played better as a team. Slew was a danger all night and I was impressed by how all the players wanted the ball and were prepared to move the ball around.

The fans were great and the Manure fans were crap. We tired towards the end, and the fourth was a breakaway after we had put them under pressure for 5 mins or so. Maguire looked in a bad way - lets hope it is just concussion and nothing too bad.

Lots of positives and a few more names that could be seen on the first team sheet in the future.

UTB

 

[LA Blade]

Well done mate.

 

[wardlowwanderer]

Warrington - did you see the handball for the pen or was the ref the only person in the whole ground (and on the pitch) to see it?

Everyone around me was totally gobsmacked. Thought the ref was a 'homer' for most of the game.

 

[SotonBlade]

Warrington - did you see the handball for the pen or was the ref the only person in the whole ground (and on the pitch) to see it?

Everyone around me was totally gobsmacked. Thought the ref was a 'homer' for most of the game.

Was fairly clear on the tv replay

 

[BladeFisher]

I wouldn't say so.

Amazing they have a camera behind the goal but don't use it to show us!

 

[Northyorksblade]

I actually thought we settled better tonight than in the first leg and that it was very even. The hammer blow was the second goal just before half time. Linesman flagged for a corner and no-one seemed to expect a penalty being given. I too thought the ref was a bit of a homer, but the team did United proud. They played more football than I've seen the first team play all season. Well done lads!!

 

[1973_Blade]

For the pen - all I can say was that no one saw it and the Manure players didn't appeal, but Kennedy didn't argue and looked distraught afterwards.

 

[Worksop II]

Kennedy flicked the ball with his left hand as it passed him, it went behind his head and over for a Corner.

Didn`t pick it up during the Game, but clear on the Replay.

Ref could have Red Carded him.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Yes, it was a brilliant call from the ref/lino, whoever spotted it.

It would have been very harsh to red card him though, as it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity (IMO)

 

[Bergen Blade]

Really enjoyed the game last night. If the half time score had mirrored the chances created we may well have won it. Thought Slew was superb, just hope he stays as he must have improved loads of scouts with that performance. Thought Kennedy was great in the first 40 minutes, and think he can go far if he continues to work hard. Think quite a few of them could become first team regulars within a couple of years.

Let's just hope we stumble across the right man to help them make the step up to senior football.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

If we are really relying so heavily on these kids forming the basis of our first team next year - then it seems ludicrous that anyone other than Pemberton is given the job.

Incidentally, its been a while since we had the 'Is the Acadamy failing' debate.....

 

[Bergen Blade]

Yes, it was a brilliant call from the ref/lino, whoever spotted it.

It would have been very harsh to red card him though, as it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity (IMO)

Wasn't Keane just behind him preparing to nod it towards goal? Really glad he wasn't sent off though, would have ruined both the game and the chance to assess the youngsters properly.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Wasn't Keane just behind him preparing to nod it towards goal? Really glad he wasn't sent off though, would have ruined both the game and the chance to assess the youngsters properly.

He was, but he still had a bit of work to do to get it in had kennedy not handled it, it's not like he handled it on the line.

 

[FirthParkBlade]

I thought the referee(s) (if it was not the same one) managed both games very well. Thought he did his best to keep his cards in his pocket and not spoil any youngsters night. It was a great call for the penalty, would have been interesting to see it happen at the other end though, I doubt he would have seen it as I thought he gave a lot of 50 50s to Manure. All in all Blades can be proud, fantastic backing and the noise after the whistle was superb. They had to play pop music to drown us out after they had just won the cup.

Well done Blades! Hold your heads up high.

 

[frechyblade]

Thoroughly enjoyed the game, was nice to go to Old Trafford and see a Blades goal! Think it would have been interesting if Slew's shot and turn early in the first half had gone the other side of the post.
It reminded me a bit of playing the year above in Junior football, manure seemed just that half a yard faster and that little bit stronger.
Not seen the TV replay for the pen but seemed harsh from behind the goal.
Only dissapointment for me was the number of fans that got up to leave as the third goal went in. If you're travelling across there to watch a Blades team in a final at least see it through and support their efforts.

UTYB

 

[BladeHearts]

It was a match where the performance was actually far more important than the result.

For example if we had won 1-0 but had been completely outplayed and just ridden our luck then it wouldnt really be a cause for great optimism.

Conversely, even though we lost 4-1, I thought our performance was excellent and the players certainly didnt look overawed or out of place playing at Old Trafford, a few decisions didnt go our way, we missed some chances, lost Maguire to injury and eventually got caught on the break chasing the game,

However, based on what I've seen, I am more confident than ever that this generation of kids have what it takes both in terms of skills and mentality to take this club forward.

With regards to the posts about Pemberton being the only logical choice if we are to build our future around this team, I completely agree. It would be heart-breaking to see a new man come in focusing purely on short-term gain, leaving the kids on the fringes and purchasing a new set of journeyman.

The club need to appoint Pembo, we need to give the kids a chance and as fans we need to show the same support, positivity and encouragement as we have done over the two legs of the Youth Cup final.

 

[JohnDenver]

It was a match where the performance was actually far more important than the result.

For example if we had won 1-0 but had been completely outplayed and just ridden our luck then it wouldnt really be a cause for great optimism.

Conversely, even though we lost 4-1, I thought our performance was excellent and the players certainly didnt look overawed or out of place playing at Old Trafford, a few decisions didnt go our way, we missed some chances, lost Maguire to injury and eventually got caught on the break chasing the game,

However, based on what I've seen, I am more confident than ever that this generation of kids have what it takes both in terms of skills and mentality to take this club forward.

With regards to the posts about Pemberton being the only logical choice if we are to build our future around this team, I completely agree. It would be heart-breaking to see a new man come in focusing purely on short-term gain, leaving the kids on the fringes and purchasing a new set of journeyman.

The club need to appoint Pembo, we need to give the kids a chance and as fans we need to show the same support, positivity and encouragement as we have done over the two legs of the Youth Cup final.

Agree with that. Just hope the fans have the patience, as it may be 4 years until even the most promising members of this group start to excel at senior level.

Even Jags - in the first team at 17 - didn't rise above his peers until his 20s when he found his position at the back.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Unless I spotted something I was particularly looking for, I thought Maguire and Slew looked stronger and 1 step ahead of the rest of our players. Whether that's because they are that bit further forward or whether being involved with the 1st team has brought them on is open to debate. ManU in general were that bit bigger and stronger than us so you can imagine what it would be like for most of them coming up against journeymen 3rd division bruisers next season.

I can see Slew being a regular in the squad and maybe we'll see the odd bench appearance for some of the others but I don't really see, say 4 or 5, pushing for starts as some are saying.

 

[BladeHearts]

Unless I spotted something I was particularly looking for, I thought Maguire and Slew looked stronger and 1 step ahead of the rest of our players. Whether that's because they are that bit further forward or whether being involved with the 1st team has brought them on is open to debate. ManU in general were that bit bigger and stronger than us so you can imagine what it would be like for most of them coming up against journeymen 3rd division bruisers next season.

I can see Slew being a regular in the squad and maybe we'll see the odd bench appearance for some of the others but I don't really see, say 4 or 5, pushing for starts as some are saying.

George Long
Harry Maguire
Terry Kennedy
Matty Harriot
Elliot Whitehouse
Jordan Slew

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

George Long
Harry Maguire
Terry Kennedy
Matty Harriot
Elliot Whitehouse
Jordan Slew

You think they're all ready ?

Long may make the bench as 1st reserve and Maguire (subject to whatever injury he sustained last night) maybe but I don't think the other three are ready from what I've seen. Potential of course but they need strengthening up particularly, as I say, for the division we're currently in where a lot of the time it won't be pretty.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

I think there are places in the team for a spine of Maguire, permitations of Whitehouse OR McFadzean and Slew.

I think its important that they are partnered with the right people - ie Senior pro's with a bit about them (Morgan/Monty/Henderson if they are still around) to look after them and make sure they arent bullied.

I remember a story about Geoff Horsefield, playing for the ressies, and somebody made a threat to one of the young lads - Horsefield replied, "You'll have to get through me first, you c**t"... as a young player, you need that degree of protection and assurance that you're looked after and can concentrate not on avoiding the oppo centre halves right boot but on playing football.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I think there are places in the team for a spine of Maguire, permitations of Whitehouse OR McFadzean and Slew.

I think its important that they are partnered with the right people - ie Senior pro's with a bit about them (Morgan/Monty/Henderson if they are still around) to look after them and make sure they arent bullied.

I remember a story about Geoff Horsefield, playing for the ressies, and somebody made a threat to one of the young lads - Horsefield replied, "You'll have to get through me first, you c**t"... as a young player, you need that degree of protection and assurance that you're looked after and can concentrate not on avoiding the oppo centre halves right boot but on playing football.

Agree completely, a Michael Brown (cough) alongside one of the kids in the middle, Hendo partnering Slew, Morgs alongside Maguire etc but I still don't think we'll see the mass influx some are advocating.

 

[beechblade]

George Long
Harry Maguire
Terry Kennedy
Matty Harriot
Elliot Whitehouse
Jordan Slew

You think they're all ready ?

Long may make the bench as 1st reserve and Maguire (subject to whatever injury he sustained last night) maybe but I don't think the other three are ready from what I've seen. Potential of course but they need strengthening up particularly, as I say, for the division we're currently in where a lot of the time it won't be pretty.

I think Harriot, Whitehouse and Kennedy would be bit players to start with, and for the most part if not all of next season, I also think the same of MacFazden. Harry and Slew are the ones to step up at first but I do think the others should get some games under there belts over the course of the season, and we have plenty of chances for them in the added games for the JPT.

 

[Kendal]

Didn't get to it. I might have tried if the trains were running from up here and I could've got back before 8 this morning. So I watched the MUFA stream.

I thought George Long looked pretty decent. No chance for any of the goals really but made some fine stops and his positioning seemed good. Keepers tend to develop later anyway - experience counts for so much more in that position. So he's very promising.
Connor Martin (I think? came on as a lateish sub) seemed to give us an extra attacking dimension as well. He seemed pretty assured on the right and worked well with Slew.

I can't remember if it was the 3rd or 4th goal where our lad made up loads of ground and made a brilliant challenge but was then 'helped' to the ground by Keane. And Pogba should have had a yellow at least for his Over The Top (literally!) challenge early on. Really dangerous. As the game went on, the mancs seemed to revert to their usual play of little kicks, leaving feet in and making sure the player was taken out.

Kennedy was getting a bit hot-headed towards the end. But you can hardly blame him as he was being penalised all night for the Manc grabbing hold of him.

Hope Harry Maguire is OK. I think having the stretcher and everything made it seem worse. He was talking to the physio, so I reckon it was all precautionary.

Overall, they did a grand job. 4-1 flattered the Mancs.

 

[Bergen Blade]

George Long
Harry Maguire
Terry Kennedy
Matty Harriot
Elliot Whitehouse
Jordan Slew

We should look to introduce them gradually and not too many at the same time. When one goes off the boil, get the next in queue in. I'd be surprised if the above mentioned don't get many games in the squad next season, and with the likes of Tønne, Løkberg and McAllister we already have a few players to help freshen up the miserable lot that played last season. We need to look for width, pace and athleticism to complement them though.

And we need to try getting rid of the high earners soon!

 

[Kendal]

I think its important that they are partnered with the right people - ie Senior pro's with a bit about them (Morgan/Monty/Henderson if they are still around) to look after them and make sure they arent bullied.

Couldn't agree more. Monty has his knockers (oo err, fnarrr) but he's got that steel and determination to be an excellent mentor. So what if he couldn't pass wind. In the premiership season, he made world-class players look average (Fabregas and Viera spring immediately to mind) by his immense energy and closing players down.
I hope Morgs stays. We really missed him this season.

 

[BladeHearts]

We should look to introduce them gradually and not too many at the same time. When one goes off the boil, get the next in queue in. I'd be surprised if the above mentioned don't get many games in the squad next season, and with the likes of Tønne, Løkberg and McAllister we already have a few players to help freshen up the miserable lot that played last season. We need to look for width, pace and athleticism to complement them though.

And we need to try getting rid of the high earners soon!

Totally agree, I am not suggesting that the players should all play en-masse at the same time, its just a List of those I feel are good enough and ready to feature next season.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Connor Martin (I think? came on as a lateish sub) seemed to give us an extra attacking dimension as well. He seemed pretty assured on the right and worked well with Slew.

I thought he showed a couple of nice touches in the first leg, so watched him with interest as he came on. Although he's been on the bench I think he can become another one who can step up. Looked quick and skilful. Thought Ironside also offered a bit more in the second leg, but he's the target man type and needs to show he can do it when facing bigger and stronger seniors.

 

[SwissBlade]

Anyone know the attendance from last night?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

23k according to the guardian