This lad Diego?

[SwissBlade]

i have no idea what he is trying to say. he isn't saying anything. Alastair Campbell would have been proud of that

Everything and nothing as usual from Mr Adkins

 

[Paqamaq]

Strange... I thought his message was clear and well-put.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I'll save you Walker & Co and Adkins the bother. I've added in the odd sentence, but all of the Adkins stuff has been gleaned from what he has said when interviewed on De Girolamo, and his approach to playing the youngsters.

Q: "You've given the like of Whiteman and Calvert-Lewin some games in recent weeks. Diego De Girolamo has been scoring goals in the Under 21s of late – before the season's over, might we see him given some game time?"

NA: "I've made it clear over the last year that our commitment is to have a path through our youth team for players to get into the first team. That's what this club is about, and it's what I'm about. I'd like to think I've worked with young players who have gone on to do very well. I've said all season that we've needed to reduce the squad size so that we can create that pathway, and now we've had a number of players in recent weeks that I've been able to involve in the matchday squad.

"One of the first things when I arrived last summer as you'll remember was that I wanted to speak to all of the players here and give everyone a clean slate, and Diego had been out of the picture and was out of contract. We made it clear then that we thought he clearly has talent, which is why we gave him a two year deal, but we also made it clear that it's also important for us to have people with both the attitude and ability to do well for Sheffield United Football Club.

"Diego's been unfortunate with injuries in his time while I've been here. That's part and partial of learning what it takes to be a professional football. Up till recently, he hasn't been consistently fit. But it's not just what you do when you are playing but away from the pitch too – eating the right foods, going to bed at the right time, giving yourself the best chance of performing. But also giving your maximum in every single training session. That's the kind of thing that I'm talking about because that's what it takes to make it in the game."

Q: "But is he doing that for you? Would you consider giving him a place on the bench ahead of Conor Sammon for example, who hasn't scored lately and is only on loan till the summer?"

NA: "Conor's been very patient, and has also been consistently putting in the graft in training. That's why I gave him the opportunity the other week at Millwall. Now things haven't always gone for Conor this season, but he's always worked hard and I feel still has a role to play this season. He and Diego are very different players, and I've made it clear that I've wanted to give Billy & Che a run together."

"We have a lot of confidence in our young players here, at Sheffield United Football Club. That's why I've been looking to get more involved in the squad lately, those that have displayed the professional qualities we're looking to build the team around going forward. Attitude is the big thing for me. Yes, we want athleticism and people that can get round the pitch. But the biggest thing is having people who are hungry, who want to improve, learn, and get better at what they do."

"All of the players here have to work hard. We have a set of youngsters involved in the first team here that are hungry and want to learn, and sometimes they'll make mistakes. But that's only natural, and they'll learn from these sorts of situations in the arena."

I almost thought you had interviewed Adkins there LoughboroBlade.I would say thats as close as onecould get to how Adkins thinks and not just about Diego

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I almost thought you had interviewed Adkins there LoughboroBlade.I would say thats as close as onecould get to how Adkins thinks and not just about Diego

Perhaps he'll actually go rogue if asked about the issue, but he's not one to directly launch into people – more a read-between-the-lines approach.

Tune in next week for my next trick when I'll provide McCabe's fans forum interview. Here's a sneak peak:
"We've always aimed to be in the upper echelons of English football. But hey, when a team from a higher division comes calling..."

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

It's genuinely disappointing that he hasn't pushed on in to the first team as there's no denying the potential he had, and I'm sure the initial ACL injury is the root cause of the lack of progress.

I went to Rome for the England v Italy 6 nations game. When I was in the pub before the game I was talking to a guy from Sunderland, and mentioned I'm a blade. The first thing his said was "Diego? You've got that Diego kid right?". His sons used to play in the youth leagues and they would rave about him, saying he was literally the best player they've ever seen- he'd pick it up at one end, take everyone on and score at the other. He couldn't believe Diego was still with us, let alone not even making the bench, such was his reputation amongst the youth leagues.

Some say he's got a bad attitude but he's clearly desperate to play and prove himself- how many in the first team at the moment can say that? Che's attitude has been brought in to question numerous times and he's also struggling to live up to his early promise. Who's to say Diego won't have more of an impact than him after a run of games?

Just catching up on this thread.

Picking the ball up at one end and scoring solo wonder goals is eye-catching but rarely translates well in to the professional game.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I'll save you Walker & Co and Adkins the bother. I've added in the odd sentence, but all of the Adkins stuff has been gleaned from what he has said when interviewed on De Girolamo, and his approach to playing the youngsters.

Q: "You've given the like of Whiteman and Calvert-Lewin some games in recent weeks. Diego De Girolamo has been scoring goals in the Under 21s of late – before the season's over, might we see him given some game time?"

NA: "I've made it clear over the last year that our commitment is to have a path through our youth team for players to get into the first team. That's what this club is about, and it's what I'm about. I'd like to think I've worked with young players who have gone on to do very well. I've said all season that we've needed to reduce the squad size so that we can create that pathway, and now we've had a number of players in recent weeks that I've been able to involve in the matchday squad.

"One of the first things when I arrived last summer as you'll remember was that I wanted to speak to all of the players here and give everyone a clean slate, and Diego had been out of the picture and was out of contract. We made it clear then that we thought he clearly has talent, which is why we gave him a two year deal, but we also made it clear that it's also important for us to have people with both the attitude and ability to do well for Sheffield United Football Club.

"Diego's been unfortunate with injuries in his time while I've been here. That's part and partial of learning what it takes to be a professional football. Up till recently, he hasn't been consistently fit. But it's not just what you do when you are playing but away from the pitch too – eating the right foods, going to bed at the right time, giving yourself the best chance of performing. But also giving your maximum in every single training session. That's the kind of thing that I'm talking about because that's what it takes to make it in the game."

Q: "But is he doing that for you? Would you consider giving him a place on the bench ahead of Conor Sammon for example, who hasn't scored lately and is only on loan till the summer?"

NA: "Conor's been very patient, and has also been consistently putting in the graft in training. That's why I gave him the opportunity the other week at Millwall. Now things haven't always gone for Conor this season, but he's always worked hard and I feel still has a role to play this season. He and Diego are very different players, and I've made it clear that I've wanted to give Billy & Che a run together."

"We have a lot of confidence in our young players here, at Sheffield United Football Club. That's why I've been looking to get more involved in the squad lately, those that have displayed the professional qualities we're looking to build the team around going forward. Attitude is the big thing for me. Yes, we want athleticism and people that can get round the pitch. But the biggest thing is having people who are hungry, who want to improve, learn, and get better at what they do."

"All of the players here have to work hard. We have a set of youngsters involved in the first team here that are hungry and want to learn, and sometimes they'll make mistakes. But that's only natural, and they'll learn from these sorts of situations in the arena."

Very good

That's pretty much what I hear in the interviews, and you don't even have to read between the lines that much.

One thing he mentioned about Sammon was challenging their CHs and us picking up second ball. That's exactly what happened twice in the first five or six minutes at Millwall: he didn't win the header (cue purple-faced rage) but we gained possession.

 

[wizadry]

Very good

That's pretty much what I hear in the interviews, and you don't even have to read between the lines that much.

One thing he mentioned about Sammon was challenging their CHs and us picking up second ball. That's exactly what happened twice in the first five or six minutes at Millwall: he didn't win the header (cue purple-faced rage) but we gained possession.

Connor Sammon hits new lofty heights in his glittering career.

 

[PeteBlade]

Connor Sammon hits new lofty heights in his glittering career.

I wonder if this is something else that Sammon apparently does that we don't notice?

Purposefully being piss poor at challenging for the ball because he knows we'll still win possession.

It's a new one on me.

 

[super_pig]

Just catching up on this thread.

Picking the ball up at one end and scoring solo wonder goals is eye-catching but rarely translates well in to the professional game.

it would suggest more than a modicum of talent though wouldn't you agree??

 

[Sean Thornton]

I wonder if this is something else that Sammon apparently does that we don't notice?

Purposefully being piss poor at challenging for the ball because he knows we'll still win possession.

It's a new one on me.

All these big lumps we've berated over the years as well. How tactically naive we are?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Very good

That's pretty much what I hear in the interviews, and you don't even have to read between the lines that much.

One thing he mentioned about Sammon was challenging their CHs and us picking up second ball. That's exactly what happened twice in the first five or six minutes at Millwall: he didn't win the header (cue purple-faced rage) but we gained possession.

Any video evidence?

Sitting near the dugouts at BL I have to admit I've never heard NA or his staff shouting " don't win it Connor". I'll listen more carefully though in future.

 

[Grappler]

Who is this "Diego" lad you all speak of??

 

[Lane Ender]

If there's one youngster I would love to see come through its Diego.
Hopefully he'll bin his dad's advise maybe he already has.
Give the kid some game time now is ideal.

 

[mosbolad]

If there's one youngster I would love to see come through its Diego.
Hopefully he'll bin his dad's advise maybe he already has.
Give the kid some game time now is ideal.

And what is his dad's advice?

 

[Lane Ender]

And what is his dad's advice?

Not keeping his lads feet on the ground.

 

[mosbolad]

Not keeping his lads feet on the ground.

Fair enough, I don't know how he would do this though. Surely he wants his lad to train hard and play football. Throughout his academy years I believe there were approaches from other clubs (only what I have been told) and despite this his dad's advice was stay at United as there is more chance of progressing. This sounds very grounded advice. There comes a time when it is down to the lad. Hard work and putting in the hours. Like you I would love him to do well as he is a talented player.

 

[Champagneblade]

What's his Dad's advice that causes an issue for him?

 

[Grappler]

Fair enough, I don't know how he would do this though. Surely he wants his lad to train hard and play football. Throughout his academy years I believe there were approaches from other clubs (only what I have been told) and despite this his dad's advice was stay at United as there is more chance of progressing. This sounds very grounded advice. There comes a time when it is down to the lad. Hard work and putting in the hours. Like you I would love him to do well as he is a talented player.

There was newspaper speculation of Premier League clubs coming in for him, and his Dad advised him to stay at SUFC, rather than be a bench warmer for a bigger club. I think his attitude changed when his son was not even making the bench, yet Italy were flying him over for youth games. Could be wrong.

Also, from memory, John Pemberton, who built and coached our most successful youth team in years (Long, Maguire, Kennedy, etc.), said Diego was the most naturally gifted and talented player he had ever seen.

I think he first came on as a sub, a few seasons ago, Notts County away?, took their midfield apart with clinical and accurate passing.

Then the knee injury kept him out for almost a year.

Not saying that great young players grow up to be great senior players, but would be a shame if he never fulfilled his apparent potential.

 

[Jostein's Bandage]

Should be in the squad today. So they can throw him off Southend Pier.

(joke possibly ©1982 Cannon and Ball)

Nah, seriously give him a game or two before the season ends. What's the worst that can happen? Throw Sammon off the Pier instead. Watch him flapping around in the sea.

 

[secretchief]

Watch him flapping around in the sea.

https://twitter.com/getinthesea

 

[Sean Thornton]

There was newspaper speculation of Premier League clubs coming in for him, and his Dad advised him to stay at SUFC, rather than be a bench warmer for a bigger club. I think his attitude changed when his son was not even making the bench, yet Italy were flying him over for youth games. Could be wrong.

Also, from memory, John Pemberton, who built and coached our most successful youth team in years (Long, Maguire, Kennedy, etc.), said Diego was the most naturally gifted and talented player he had ever seen.

I think he first came on as a sub, a few seasons ago, Notts County away?, took their midfield apart with clinical and accurate passing.

Then the knee injury kept him out for almost a year.

Not saying that great young players grow up to be great senior players, but would be a shame if he never fulfilled his apparent potential.

Pemberton didn't build that team, he inherited most of it. He only took over in May 2010.

 

[Grappler]

Pemberton didn't build that team, he inherited most of it. He only took over in May 2010.

Fair enough Sean, just going on memory (while I should be working!)

 

[1889]

Simple as that, eh?

I would hope so, explain what is expected of them and if they won't behave as they're required to do, show them the door. In fact, it doesn't get much simpler?

 

[PeteBlade]

I would hope so, explain what is expected of them and if they won't behave as they're required to do, show them the door. In fact, it doesn't get much simpler?

I can only assume you've never had to manage people.

 

[1889]

I can only assume you've never had to manage people.

It was a principle used for many years quite successfully by Alex Ferguson, but I get the impress you'll probably know better ?

 

[PeteBlade]

It was a principle used for many years quite successfully by Alex Ferguson, but I get the impress you'll probably know better ?

Yes, he never had discipline issues did he?

And I bet he's describe it as simple.

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

Ref didn't blow his whistle, don't understand how the first goal can stand.

That's why he's refereeing youth footy

 

[1danewhitehouse]

. What more can he do than score consistently in the under 21s. .

Train hard

Listen and learn

Be a team player

Get fit and stay fit

Not act like a tit on twitter?



I hope he gets a chance in the team and takes it but if he doesn’t, it’s not because the manager won’t give youth a chance. Reed, Adams, Calvert Lewin and Whiteman have all had game time with Kelly and Brooks also making the bench. If he’s not getting a look in, I think the lad needs to take a more introspective look at why not.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Exactly! I don't want him starting, i want him in the squad instead of Sammon. It would save us money and we honestly wouldn't be any worse off performance wise.

It wouldn’t save money. We don’t have the option of terminating Sammon’s loan deal.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Very good

That's pretty much what I hear in the interviews, and you don't even have to read between the lines that much.

One thing he mentioned about Sammon was challenging their CHs and us picking up second ball. That's exactly what happened twice in the first five or six minutes at Millwall: he didn't win the header (cue purple-faced rage) but we gained possession.

Yep. He also did that for our equaliser at Walsall earlier in the season (Baxter scoring). It’s something Che and probably Diego could look to add to their game rather than just coming to life when they have the ball.