Praise for the Youngsters Today

[William Henry Foulkes]

We were 2-0 up. It could've been 5-0. Should've been 3-0 or 4-0.

Instead Crewe came back to 2-2.

I've watched, played for, and played against plenty of teams whose heads would've dropped at this stage - but credit to Whiteman and Reed in particular for keeping at it, and for their part in the winning goal.

(There's something there with DCL but I don't think it's clicked yet.)

Reed was definitely culpable in their equaliser, but as posted in the Interview thread - to some extent this is what you get, inconsistency: infuriating one minute, inspired the next.

Plenty to build on.

UTMB

 

[Jostein's Bandage]

Reedo needs to start more, especially at home. Never going to improve if he's on the bench all the time.

I don't really understand why we aren't playing the youngsters more now, the season is as good as shagged. I think that's another reason people are getting titted off with Hammond. He's virtually retired, what exactly is the point? If we looked good with him in the team, fair enough, but we look crap anyway. May as well play the youngsters, give them a real chance. Playing them one game, then dropping them, or a few minutes off the bench seems a bit daft.

 

[Ricky]

Today was the first time I've seen something in DCL. He showed a bit of aggression and quick feet.

 

[northsomersetblade]

Keep it up lads.

It's proven that moderate talent plus hard work beats great talent plus no work every time - great talent plus hard work and you can't be beaten!

 

[Blade82]

Reedo needs to start more, especially at home. Never going to improve if he's on the bench all the time.

I don't really understand why we aren't playing the youngsters more now, the season is as good as shagged. I think that's another reason people are getting titted off with Hammond. He's virtually retired, what exactly is the point? If we looked good with him in the team, fair enough, but we look crap anyway. May as well play the youngsters, give them a real chance. Playing them one game, then dropping them, or a few minutes off the bench seems a bit daft.

Totally agree. The reason it all came together with Jags, Tonge and Monty is they got game time and learnt from their mistakes. The rest of this season is invaluable to the youngesters and also to our plans for next season. As I said in a loans thread on Thursday that if they're not going to be here next season there is no point playing them now, whether that be a loanee or a 1st teamer we're looking to offload.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Jostein's Bandage]

I think we have some potential there, but is Adkins really the man to bring it out? Most of the players seem to dislike him. Changing the team every week, often for no obvious sensible reason, doesn't seem like a great way to build team spirit. Every game there's 2 or 3 changes that appear to be completely random. I think he's right to be moving players on and bringing the youngsters into it, but i'm not convinced he can actually motivate them.

If we were starting out next season, with the youngsters the priority, building a new team. Would Adkins be the appointment, if he wasn't already here? I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be. And i'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to come into that kind of situation either. It's a totally different mission, to the one he was brought in to do.

 

[Bladesman]

I think we have some potential there, but is Adkins really the man to bring it out? Most of the players seem to dislike him. Changing the team every week, often for no obvious sensible reason, doesn't seem like a great way to build team spirit. Every game there's 2 or 3 changes that appear to be completely random. I think he's right to be moving players on and bringing the youngsters into it, but i'm not convinced he can actually motivate them.

If we were starting out next season, with the youngsters the priority, building a new team. Would Adkins be the appointment, if he wasn't already here? I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be. And i'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to come into that kind of situation either. It's a totally different mission, to the one he was brought in to do.

I would say the senior players dislike him and those are probably the ones that Clough brought in. The youngsters like Reed, DCL and others will hopefully be thanking Adkins for giving them a chance in the first team.

Also dropping youngsters from time to time is no bad thing either. I was just watching Andy Cole talk about how Alex Ferguson treated the likes of Giggs as youngsters. He said he would let them play 2 or 3 games then drop them and then bring back later on.

 

[alcoblade]

I think we have some potential there, but is Adkins really the man to bring it out? Most of the players seem to dislike him. Changing the team every week, often for no obvious sensible reason, doesn't seem like a great way to build team spirit. Every game there's 2 or 3 changes that appear to be completely random. I think he's right to be moving players on and bringing the youngsters into it, but i'm not convinced he can actually motivate them.

If we were starting out next season, with the youngsters the priority, building a new team. Would Adkins be the appointment, if he wasn't already here? I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be. And i'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to come into that kind of situation either. It's a totally different mission, to the one he was brought in to do.

The youngsters get far more game time under Adkins. They must much prefer that to being behind an enormous and growing number of bang average 3rd division pros seeing their time out under Clough.

UTB

 

[DazBlade88]

Reed was definitely culpable in their equaliser, but as posted in the Interview thread - to some extent this is what you get, inconsistency: infuriating one minute, inspired the next.

I agree that Reed was at fault for ball watching instead of following his man, but Flynn completely bottled a challenge in the middle of the park which put us under pressure and that is more annoying for me than anything else. There's a lack of concentration and then there's being scared to get hurt.

The third goal was fantastic yesterday. Great awareness and pass from Whiteman to find Reed and a perfect cross to follow. I definitely think there's room for Whiteman in the squad.

As for DCL, I think a goal would do him the world of good. He just looks nervous to me.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I agree that Reed was at fault for ball watching instead of following his man, but Flynn completely bottled a challenge in the middle of the park which put us under pressure and that is more annoying for me than anything else. There's a lack of concentration and then there's being scared to get hurt.

The third goal was fantastic yesterday. Great awareness and pass from Whiteman to find Reed and a perfect cross to follow. I definitely think there's room for Whiteman in the squad.

As for DCL, I think a goal would do him the world of good. He just looks nervous to me.

Lack of concentration seems to run through players and being focused can make the difference of being a championship or league 1 or 2 player , that's why these guys are playing for us in league 1 . Football is not just about kicking a ball.

A number of players pull out of tackles or situations were they could get injured because there contracts are up so they are thinking of themselves . There agents will not be able to get them another club if crocked ( unless it's SUFC , but they are already playing for them ).

Adkins should think of this before picking them . Play players who are going to be here . Them who you would have thought have a point to prove don't always seem that bothered.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

I agree that Reed was at fault for ball watching instead of following his man, but Flynn completely bottled a challenge in the middle of the park which put us under pressure and that is more annoying for me than anything else. There's a lack of concentration and then there's being scared to get hurt.

The third goal was fantastic yesterday. Great awareness and pass from Whiteman to find Reed and a perfect cross to follow. I definitely think there's room for Whiteman in the squad.

As for DCL, I think a goal would do him the world of good. He just looks nervous to me.

Great awareness from both the young lads for the goal - Reed laid it off to Whiteman and sprinted out right. Whiteman delivered the perfect ball at the right weight in the right place. That's possible when two players know each other's game and have the basic intention to play quick, progressive and attacking football. To follow that a sensational curved, early cross right on to Billy's napper, defenders totally out of the equation.

What a pleasure to watch after watching two old players taking 4/5 touches on the ball and one of them never even giving a thought to playing a forward running man in. More like touch, touch, touch, touch half-turn backwards, look up sideways, if there's no easy ball on then look out wide sideways, bit ambitious but play that long ball to the winger in 25 yards of space and aah! it's gone 20 yards behind him again, no apology, it's just how I play.!! Must remember to pass it backwards next time!!

 

[sheffielder]

I agree that Reed was at fault for ball watching instead of following his man, but Flynn completely bottled a challenge in the middle of the park which put us under pressure and that is more annoying for me than anything else. There's a lack of concentration and then there's being scared to get hurt.

The third goal was fantastic yesterday. Great awareness and pass from Whiteman to find Reed and a perfect cross to follow. I definitely think there's room for Whiteman in the squad.

As for DCL, I think a goal would do him the world of good. He just looks nervous to me.

I totally think DCL looks nervous but he did better yesterday. He should still be on loan at Northampton for me though.

Daz I think you watch the kids, what can you tell us about Jordan Hallam as he seems to be banging them away for fun at the moment?

 

[JohnDenver]

Today was the first time I've seen something in DCL. He showed a bit of aggression and quick feet.

He's rapid, can leap and he has quick feet. When he develops more strength and the understanding of how to play a position then everyone will see why he's been fast tracked.

It's a shame he's playing in our first team whilst he's still so raw. Ideally he'd be on loan, but we can thank Higdon Sammon and co for that.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Reed was definitely culpable in their equaliser, but as posted in the Interview thread - to some extent this is what you get, inconsistency: infuriating one minute, inspired the next.

UTMB

I have picked out the bit about Reed specifically as I think he has a major problem with that.

As a supporter (always) of Reed, he has talent and potential - but his inability to track players or not close them down is a serious problem he needs to resolve.

Go back to game 1 away v Gillingham - think it was the 4th goal which Dack(?) scored from outside the box - Reed just watched him, as though he just wanted to pass him on to another of our players - well, Dack didn't - he wellied one from outside the box.

It tells me why Reed hasn't had many starts - it doesn't matter what talent you've got (and Baxter is the primary example) - if you don't put the hard yards in - look bothered as to getting a foot in - then seriously you will not make it in football today. Lets put a word on it - ATTITUDE. I am led to believe by more knowledgeable people than me that Geronimo has a similar issue - talent but little application.

It's sad really - kids just don't want to graft.

UTB

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

More like touch, touch, touch, touch half-turn backwards, look up sideways, if there's no easy ball on then look out wide sideways, bit ambitious but play that long ball to the winger in 25 yards of space and aah! it's gone 20 yards behind him again, no apology, it's just how I play.!! Must remember to pass it backwards next time!!

But somehow this led to first half domination and chance after chance after chance.

 

[Woodwardfan]

But somehow this led to first half domination and chance after chance after chance.

WHF you know full well that the Crewe side in that first half were like a condemned man waiting in his cell after being given the last rights. They more than anybody expected a battering and hardly offered any resistance. At half time they will have been told that we weren't as good as they thought we were and encouraged to have a go, which they did. We were very fortunate to go 2 up and it's a good job we had a cushion. The game had turned well against us by the time Hammond was taken off. Adkins repeats how good we were that first half but it was like watching a heavyweight boxing a middleweight, that's why the crowd were almost silent, it was a non-event, almost embarrassingly poor opposition. Heavyweights can tend to run out of steam in later rounds and so did we but the bright spots were provided by the kids.

 

[DazBlade88]

Daz I think you watch the kids, what can you tell us about Jordan Hallam as he seems to be banging them away for fun at the moment?

Not seen as much this year but he's pretty skillful and scored a couple of screamers when I've seem him. It sounds like he's scoring more poacher's goals recently which is never a bad thing.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

WHF you know full well that the Crewe side in that first half were like a condemned man waiting in his cell after being given the last rights. They more than anybody expected a battering and hardly offered any resistance. At half time they will have been told that we weren't as good as they thought we were and encouraged to have a go, which they did. We were very fortunate to go 2 up and it's a good job we had a cushion. The game had turned well against us by the time Hammond was taken off. Adkins repeats how good we were that first half but it was like watching a heavyweight boxing a middleweight, that's why the crowd were almost silent, it was a non-event, almost embarrassingly poor opposition. Heavyweights can tend to run out of steam in later rounds and so did we but the bright spots were provided by the kids.

"You know as well as I do" that in the first half when we were playing all that tippy tappy backwards backwards sideways crap we created chance after chance after chance.

Maybe Crewe (and Oldham) looked totally ineffective bc we outplayed them by keeping possession, controlling the ball, "playing through the thirds" (give it to McGahey - even when he's closely attended - instead of hoofing it up the pitch), working openings, and controlling the game.

It was great to watch - and more to the point, very effective. Unlike the finishing.

Second half they changed formation, upped the tempo came at us and (not for the first time) we didn't cope for various reasons including dropping deep.

The winner came from, the horror, Reed passing it backwards (Booooooooo!) into midfield to Whiteman.

Hopefully this style of play will develop further.

It might even be embraced (Ole!) and we'll all be left scratching our heads over the Football Spacetime Paradox of how, when the net's in front of you, can you pass the ball backwards and sideways and still create loads of chances.

(Didn't Oldham get a point at Burton yesterday.)

 

[raul]

Gunfight at the OK Corral. High Noon. Fistful Of Dollars. Who will hit the "ignore" button first??

 

[Sean Thornton]

"You know as well as I do" that in the first half when we were playing all that tippy tappy backwards backwards sideways crap we created chance after chance after chance.

Maybe Crewe (and Oldham) looked totally ineffective bc we outplayed them by keeping possession, controlling the ball, "playing through the thirds" (give it to McGahey - even when he's closely attended - instead of hoofing it up the pitch), working openings, and controlling the game.

It was great to watch - and more to the point, very effective. Unlike the finishing.

Second half they changed formation, upped the tempo came at us and (not for the first time) we didn't cope for various reasons including dropping deep.

The winner came from, the horror, Reed passing it backwards (Booooooooo!) into midfield to Whiteman.

Hopefully this style of play will develop further.

It might even be embraced (Ole!) and we'll all be left scratching our heads over the Football Spacetime Paradox of how, when the net's in front of you, can you pass the ball backwards and sideways and still create loads of chances.

(Didn't Oldham get a point at Burton yesterday.)

Reed passed the ball backwards and then sprinted out to the right to receive the return pass, something you wouldn't see Hammond do if you waited for the cows to come home. That's what led to the goal not some safety first pass back to a defender or a long pass ten yards behind Done. Then there's Whitemans incisive ball to Reed rather than a square ball to Brayford or whoever.

 

[Blade56]

Think (hope) we've found a gem in Whiteman.

Worth noting it was a youthful dynamic England team that made a strong established German team look far from world champions.

 

[Woodwardfan]

"You know as well as I do" that in the first half when we were playing all that tippy tappy backwards backwards sideways crap we created chance after chance after chance.

Maybe Crewe (and Oldham) looked totally ineffective bc we outplayed them by keeping possession, controlling the ball, "playing through the thirds" (give it to McGahey - even when he's closely attended - instead of hoofing it up the pitch), working openings, and controlling the game.

It was great to watch - and more to the point, very effective. Unlike the finishing.

Second half they changed formation, upped the tempo came at us and (not for the first time) we didn't cope for various reasons including dropping deep.

The winner came from, the horror, Reed passing it backwards (Booooooooo!) into midfield to Whiteman.

Hopefully this style of play will develop further.

It might even be embraced (Ole!) and we'll all be left scratching our heads over the Football Spacetime Paradox of how, when the net's in front of you, can you pass the ball backwards and sideways and still create loads of chances.

(Didn't Oldham get a point at Burton yesterday.)

Would I ever have said " you know as well as I do" Nor am I sure why I get the "tippy tappy" lecture. If you are suggesting Hammond played any part in our first half offensive moves then I disagree though. Coutts did in the first half hour.

Few fans boo or shout 'forward' when the team are in the final third, it's when we are in space in defence and in deep midfield that fans get so frustrated when the opposition are giving us the ball in our deep territory and we simply waste time shuffling it around. It serves no purpose and certainly doesn't draw the opposition out.

In fact we have very few players who can " play it through the thirds" certainly the final third. Sharp started the game and Flynn can play a man in well. Coutts can if he can get himself into the final third but rarely notches an 'assist'. Reed can and Baxter can. Take a look at the Assist Statistic Table, it's illuminating. Even yesterday first half there were too many players ducking responsibilty for making that final ball. They might try when the opposition defence is stretched but just don't have a single clue when the opposition are deep and well behind the ball. Our goal first half was excellent but we caught them out of position. Too many times we played in front and across the faces of their defence. Sharp finds little pockets time and again but nobody even notices.

 

[sheffielder]

Gunfight at the OK Corral. High Noon. Fistful Of Dollars. Who will hit the "ignore" button first??

23/2 on Woodward
2/23 on for the twat

 

[wizadry]

Reed passed the ball backwards and then sprinted out to the right to receive the return pass, something you wouldn't see Hammond do if you waited for the cows to come home. That's what led to the goal not some safety first pass back to a defender or a long pass ten yards behind Done. Then there's Whitemans incisive ball to Reed rather than a square ball to Brayford or whoever.

I think they call it pass and move, something some of our players haven't got the first clue about. They pass and make it hard for someone to pass it back to them due to their lack of movement, it's embarrassing at times. Next season i'd play Whiteman, Reed and a mobile midfield destroyer only if they can prove to they can add goals otherwise we need 2 possibly 3 new midfielders next season, not fucking Hammond who single handedly destroyed our FA cup run, we'd have beaten Man Utd at the lane, they were pants.

 

[Bladesman]

We were 2-0 up. It could've been 5-0. Should've been 3-0 or 4-0.

Instead Crewe came back to 2-2.

I've watched, played for, and played against plenty of teams whose heads would've dropped at this stage - but credit to Whiteman and Reed in particular for keeping at it, and for their part in the winning goal.

(There's something there with DCL but I don't think it's clicked yet.)

Reed was definitely culpable in their equaliser, but as posted in the Interview thread - to some extent this is what you get, inconsistency: infuriating one minute, inspired the next.

Plenty to build on.

UTMB

I've seen the light and there is nothing to build on.

The academy is a waste of money. Flatten it and build a bed and breakfast.

 

[Finnieston]

Reed passed the ball backwards and then sprinted out to the right to receive the return pass, something you wouldn't see Hammond do if you waited for the cows to come home. That's what led to the goal not some safety first pass back to a defender or a long pass ten yards behind Done. Then there's Whitemans incisive ball to Reed rather than a square ball to Brayford or whoever.

Holding midfielders dont run around like blue arse flies. They supply the ball to people like Reed and Whiteman.Mostly simple passes. If they get it wrong after receiving who gets it in the neck.mmmmm The Holding Midfielder. Monty got it. Gannon got it. Booker got it. Rogers got it. Doyle got it. Hockey got it.Speight got it........Seems to be a pattern forming.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Few fans boo or shout 'forward' when the team are in the final third.

Don't get the point of this, it seems obvious.

it's when we are in space in defence and in deep midfield that [some] fans get so frustrated when the opposition are giving us the ball in our deep territory and we simply waste time shuffling it around. It serves no purpose and certainly doesn't draw the opposition out.

But somehow magically(?) playing this rubbish we created chance after chance after chance.

A real mystery.

What purpose does it serve:

• control the ball you control the game,
• the opposition can't score if you've got possession
• how hard it is physically and mentally to play without the ball - which brings its rewards later in the game as the opponents tire - requires patience.

etc.

For me our best game in this style was Fleetwood - another 3-0 canter, set against a chorus of half-time boos.

 

[PeteBlade]

It's like a life lesson on who can be the most smug and condescending.

It's a smug-off.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Holding midfielders dont run around like blue arse flies. They supply the ball to people like Reed and Whiteman.Mostly simple passes. If they get it wrong after receiving who gets it in the neck.mmmmm The Holding Midfielder. Monty got it. Gannon got it. Booker got it. Rogers got it. Doyle got it. Hockey got it.Speight got it........Seems to be a pattern forming.

Holding midfielders don't have to be pedestrian and lose men as easily as Hammond does either.
You might have seen Whitemans pass to Reed for the goal as well. Positivity from a young lad compared to the experienced bloke on PL wages who can't dominate in L1 and would have taken the easy option as he almost always does.