- Staff
- #1
Firstly, sorry for the lack of updates on this yesterday. I've had a problem with my phone battery so it stopped me from doing them and obviously as a result I've not got much to work with in terms of producing a report on the game, so I've decided it wouldn't be worth writing one.
Instead, here's an overview of the line up and performance yesterday morning for anyone interested...
We lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with this lineup:
--------------Owen--------------
Hodder Banton J Williams T Williams
-------------Pemberton-----------
---------Khan------Dimaio-----
Eyre---------------------------McDonagh
---------------Smith---------------
Subs: Lynch, Scarisbrick, Whiteman, Coustrain, Heather
For me personally, it didn't really suit us. We struggled to create chances and despite packing the midfield we didn't win the battles and couldn't get a foothold on the game, especially in the first half. We did try and get the ball down and pass though, which is always encouraging. At this level it's definitely more about the performance, style of play and development rather than the result
The performance overall wasn't too bad, we were just struggling with creativity and couldn't get enough numbers up to support Jahmal Smith. Smith lead the line really well and looked to get others involved at every opportunity, took his goal well in the second half but probably should have scored in the first half when he rounded the keeper but hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Jamie-Dean McDonagh was probably our stand out player, he's a very direct, pacey winger and he was our biggest threat by far when he got the ball at his feet. He's a first year too, so has plenty of time to develop.
Jake Eyre wasn't bad, but I don't think being out wide suits him. I'd say he'd be more dangerous alongside Smith in a 4-4-2, but if we're going to play the 4-3-3 formation I'd be looking at playing Joel Coustrain on the wing. He's very similar to McDonagh in terms of pace and directness and I think it would increase the threat of the side.
Otis Khan and Connor Dimaio were steady but couldn't seem to build any attacking momentum for us yesterday which is unusual for them. Khan is the real playmaker in the team and is always dangerous so credit has to be given to Leeds for shutting him down.
Max Pemberton was his usual self - putting himself about and looking to break up play. Technically he's not the most gifted but he puts everything into it. He moved to centre half early in the second period when Ben Whiteman was brought on for Josh Williams.
Jordan Hodder had a quiet game, but was solid. He didn't do alot wrong but couldn't get into the game as an attacking threat as much as he would have liked. It may have been him that put the cross in for the goal but I honestly can't remember!
Tyler Williams didn't seem his usual self yesterday to me. He struggled to get into the game and was at fault for the second goal when he was caught out of position leaving a massive gap for Leeds to exploit. He just had one of those days but I'm sure he'll be back to his best soon enough.
Josh Williams was subbed quite early in the second half. I didn't think he had a bad game, he's always a steady and dependable defender who does his job with minimal fuss and I saw nothing different yesterday. He may have taken a slight knock.
Julian Banton hasn't played many games for us, that was the only second time I've seen him play. I believe he's been at Arsenal and Wolves previously but I'm not 100% sure. He's really well built for his age and looks to be a more commanding type centre half. Like Josh, he was steady if unspectacular yesterday.
Gareth Owen impresses me more and more every time I see him, and I'm pretty sure he's grown about a foot since the games before Christmas! He's getting more vocal and gaining confidence in himself with some good saves, showing why he's representing Wales at youth level. We're very blessed with keepers when you consider the two Georges making good progress as well.
On to the subs, and Ben Whiteman was a player who made a big difference to the side when he came on. He replaced Josh Williams and took the holding midfield role from Pemberton as I mentioned above. He's not the "in your face" type destroyer like Pemberton, but he's much more capable technically. He did the dirty work but was composed enough to make sure we kept possession and looked to build the play from deep. He rarely gives the ball away, and was unfortunate not to equalise with a half volley towards the end of the game.
Owen Heather came on for Jake Eyre and didn't really have enough time to have any influence. He was on the right hand side of the front three and as always he showed his versatility. He's so hard working and you can tell he's the type of player that just wants to play no matter what position he's in.
It's not been a great season in terms of results but I think there are many promising signs. Alot of these players are first years so you would expect them to be much stronger next season as their development progresses. I think Cox and Unsworth will definitely help them in that respect.
The next home game is on Saturday against Wigan Athletic, but I won't be there as I'm heading to Notts County for the first team game. With the way the fixtures have worked out I don't think I'll get to another U18 game until the 23rd February when we face Wednesday at Shirecliffe.
Instead, here's an overview of the line up and performance yesterday morning for anyone interested...
We lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with this lineup:
--------------Owen--------------
Hodder Banton J Williams T Williams
-------------Pemberton-----------
---------Khan------Dimaio-----
Eyre---------------------------McDonagh
---------------Smith---------------
Subs: Lynch, Scarisbrick, Whiteman, Coustrain, Heather
For me personally, it didn't really suit us. We struggled to create chances and despite packing the midfield we didn't win the battles and couldn't get a foothold on the game, especially in the first half. We did try and get the ball down and pass though, which is always encouraging. At this level it's definitely more about the performance, style of play and development rather than the result
The performance overall wasn't too bad, we were just struggling with creativity and couldn't get enough numbers up to support Jahmal Smith. Smith lead the line really well and looked to get others involved at every opportunity, took his goal well in the second half but probably should have scored in the first half when he rounded the keeper but hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Jamie-Dean McDonagh was probably our stand out player, he's a very direct, pacey winger and he was our biggest threat by far when he got the ball at his feet. He's a first year too, so has plenty of time to develop.
Jake Eyre wasn't bad, but I don't think being out wide suits him. I'd say he'd be more dangerous alongside Smith in a 4-4-2, but if we're going to play the 4-3-3 formation I'd be looking at playing Joel Coustrain on the wing. He's very similar to McDonagh in terms of pace and directness and I think it would increase the threat of the side.
Otis Khan and Connor Dimaio were steady but couldn't seem to build any attacking momentum for us yesterday which is unusual for them. Khan is the real playmaker in the team and is always dangerous so credit has to be given to Leeds for shutting him down.
Max Pemberton was his usual self - putting himself about and looking to break up play. Technically he's not the most gifted but he puts everything into it. He moved to centre half early in the second period when Ben Whiteman was brought on for Josh Williams.
Jordan Hodder had a quiet game, but was solid. He didn't do alot wrong but couldn't get into the game as an attacking threat as much as he would have liked. It may have been him that put the cross in for the goal but I honestly can't remember!
Tyler Williams didn't seem his usual self yesterday to me. He struggled to get into the game and was at fault for the second goal when he was caught out of position leaving a massive gap for Leeds to exploit. He just had one of those days but I'm sure he'll be back to his best soon enough.
Josh Williams was subbed quite early in the second half. I didn't think he had a bad game, he's always a steady and dependable defender who does his job with minimal fuss and I saw nothing different yesterday. He may have taken a slight knock.
Julian Banton hasn't played many games for us, that was the only second time I've seen him play. I believe he's been at Arsenal and Wolves previously but I'm not 100% sure. He's really well built for his age and looks to be a more commanding type centre half. Like Josh, he was steady if unspectacular yesterday.
Gareth Owen impresses me more and more every time I see him, and I'm pretty sure he's grown about a foot since the games before Christmas! He's getting more vocal and gaining confidence in himself with some good saves, showing why he's representing Wales at youth level. We're very blessed with keepers when you consider the two Georges making good progress as well.
On to the subs, and Ben Whiteman was a player who made a big difference to the side when he came on. He replaced Josh Williams and took the holding midfield role from Pemberton as I mentioned above. He's not the "in your face" type destroyer like Pemberton, but he's much more capable technically. He did the dirty work but was composed enough to make sure we kept possession and looked to build the play from deep. He rarely gives the ball away, and was unfortunate not to equalise with a half volley towards the end of the game.
Owen Heather came on for Jake Eyre and didn't really have enough time to have any influence. He was on the right hand side of the front three and as always he showed his versatility. He's so hard working and you can tell he's the type of player that just wants to play no matter what position he's in.
It's not been a great season in terms of results but I think there are many promising signs. Alot of these players are first years so you would expect them to be much stronger next season as their development progresses. I think Cox and Unsworth will definitely help them in that respect.
The next home game is on Saturday against Wigan Athletic, but I won't be there as I'm heading to Notts County for the first team game. With the way the fixtures have worked out I don't think I'll get to another U18 game until the 23rd February when we face Wednesday at Shirecliffe.
