Blades v Wendy in Claret Cup tonight

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finlaytheblade said:
Wow !! where did we pick him up from he has great skill.I like the term little messy!
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If I am reading this correctly (and I might not be mate!), he was born in New York and his parents are originally from Tunisia, although it also appears that he also has Lithuanian citizenship.

No idea how he ended up with us though.

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Grappler said:
If I am reading this correctly (and I might not be mate!), he was born in New York and his parents are originally from Tunisia, although it also appears that he also has Lithuanian citizenship.

No idea how he ended up with us though.

View attachment 96896
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And from the club website, looks like he might have been here a couple of years?

1604449388376.png
 
Free kicks look good but looks like the keepers aren't setting the wall properly, shame we could really use somebody like that on the bench at least.
Also wonder if he's putting the effort in yet, "Got shouted at a few times by his colleagues for not putting the right amount into his shift."
 
8lade said:
Free kicks look good but looks like the keepers aren't setting the wall properly, shame we could really use somebody like that on the bench at least.
Also wonder if he's putting the effort in yet, "Got shouted at a few times by his colleagues for not putting the right amount into his shift."
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Did you notice where he aimed the free kicks at? Top corner of the net every time. :)
 
Look. I'm not ITK on this at all. But, I do have a fairly straightforward reading of the situation. I think the Academy have seen Hassan as a bit of a project. He was often up at Stocksbridge when the U23s were playing Monday afternoon home games. Not as part of the team. Not as part of the match day squad. But, he'd sometimes warm up with these much older lads. And then ballboy. We got to know his name. And listened to the buzz. When I found him on the internet at that time, I sort of felt he'd been on his way DOWN Academy systems. Including a number of pay to play private academies, with only very loose links to pro clubs. I'm guessing the fact that he has "flair skills" marked him out as a kid Utd might persevere with as a longer term project. In some of the U19 North Midlands Development games I saw him in, some of his teammates were clearly not happy with his workrate, strength & general contribution. I remember goalkeeper Sam Kelly absolutely slating him at one game. Not for me to say, but I wasn't happy with that. But, Sam did have a point. It's only low level, for young lads, but Hassan was simply a luxury player. Obvs, he's got all the tricks & he deffo wasn't a Show Pony - but he was a passenger for much of those games. But, on the few occasions he got the ball, you looked up. And I'm guessing Utd knew that, and he's young, so were prepared to give it a long term good go. At that time, the Academy under Binnion, Dungworth & Geary had a very encouraging & nurturing approach. (As far as I could see from the sidelines). And I think that suites the situation. Certainly now, as a PL club, we can take more time with our youngsters. Flair players change games. My own opinion is they might need a bit more leeway in their development. Remember Hassan is only just beginning to get in U23 match day squads. It's an easy call for me to say he's miles & miles & then more miles again away from the first team. But, as I say, as an outsider, I think It's are taking a long term punt on him because of his "flair".
 
Balham Blade said:
Thanks for that write up, Ball_Sup (Phil) . Out of interest, how does that gut feeling and view on workrate compare to David Brooks?
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I'm naturally nervous making any comments which appear critical of our youngsters. That's not what I'm in the game for. But. Simply. First few times I saw Hassan vs first few times I saw David Brooks. No contest. Brooks. He ran games. Because he was always in them. But, of course, neither Hassan nor David had ANYTHING on the first few times I saw Diego. So, a cautionary tale.
 



Ball_Sup (Phil) said:
Look. I'm not ITK on this at all. But, I do have a fairly straightforward reading of the situation. I think the Academy have seen Hassan as a bit of a project. He was often up at Stocksbridge when the U23s were playing Monday afternoon home games. Not as part of the team. Not as part of the match day squad. But, he'd sometimes warm up with these much older lads. And then ballboy. We got to know his name. And listened to the buzz. When I found him on the internet at that time, I sort of felt he'd been on his way DOWN Academy systems. Including a number of pay to play private academies, with only very loose links to pro clubs. I'm guessing the fact that he has "flair skills" marked him out as a kid Utd might persevere with as a longer term project. In some of the U19 North Midlands Development games I saw him in, some of his teammates were clearly not happy with his workrate, strength & general contribution. I remember goalkeeper Sam Kelly absolutely slating him at one game. Not for me to say, but I wasn't happy with that. But, Sam did have a point. It's only low level, for young lads, but Hassan was simply a luxury player. Obvs, he's got all the tricks & he deffo wasn't a Show Pony - but he was a passenger for much of those games. But, on the few occasions he got the ball, you looked up. And I'm guessing Utd knew that, and he's young, so were prepared to give it a long term good go. At that time, the Academy under Binnion, Dungworth & Geary had a very encouraging & nurturing approach. (As far as I could see from the sidelines). And I think that suites the situation. Certainly now, as a PL club, we can take more time with our youngsters. Flair players change games. My own opinion is they might need a bit more leeway in their development. Remember Hassan is only just beginning to get in U23 match day squads. It's an easy call for me to say he's miles & miles & then more miles again away from the first team. But, as I say, as an outsider, I think It's are taking a long term punt on him because of his "flair".
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That's great to hear Phil ! Too much emphasis on physical strength at teenage level means a lot of talent is missed by all clubs.Brooks and Man City is a good example.Flair is a natural talent and it's not possible to duplicate that with coaching , Most players have lots of ability and good coaching developes that.When quoting Ireland I had vision s of a George Best! Turns out he's part American! No worries! Just hope his talem is fulfilled as a Blade.
Only seen cameos of him and he looks special, to take peer criticism and develop shows he has character and beleafe in himself.
Hope to see plenty of him in the future.
 
finlaytheblade said:
That's great to hear Phil ! Too much emphasis on physical strength at teenage level means a lot of talent is missed by all clubs.Brooks and Man City is a good example.Flair is a natural talent and it's not possible to duplicate that with coaching , Most players have lots of ability and good coaching developes that.When quoting Ireland I had vision s of a George Best! Turns out he's part American! No worries! Just hope his talem is fulfilled as a Blade.
Only seen cameos of him and he looks special, to take peer criticism and develop shows he has character and beleafe in himself.
Hope to see plenty of him in the future.
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And to clarify. Physically Hassan was (I ain't seen him up close & personal for a while) bigger & stronger than Brooks. Brooks was ridiculous the first time I saw him. Short. Skinny. Couldn't find socks to fit him, let alone a fucking shirt. Hassan is a good fit normal sized & shaped athlete for his age. OK, a bit on the slight side, but an athlete. His teammates criticism was often about his willingness to get stuck in & stay strong. Not his underlying strength
 
One of the first things I noticed about Brooks was what I can only call "a different type of strength". Because he was slight, short & skinny, he was easily knocked off the ball. But, fuck me, he could get up quick & be back at his man. Before the guy who'd out muscled him could get the ball under control, Brooks would be at him. And if he knocked him away again, bang, back at him. He sort of compensated for his lack of physical strength with his tenacity & speed.
 
Certainly looks to be maturing a bit this season then but as you say it's ridiculous putting predictions out there for such young lads, albeit it's encouraging to see we're giving these types of boys the opportunities to grow with us rather than sticking with just the 6'4 17-year olds.
 
Ball_Sup (Phil) said:
And to clarify. Physically Hassan was (I ain't seen him up close & personal for a while) bigger & stronger than Brooks. Brooks was ridiculous the first time I saw him. Short. Skinny. Couldn't find socks to fit him, let alone a fucking shirt. Hassan is a good fit normal sized & shaped athlete for his age. OK, a bit on the slight side, but an athlete. His teammates criticism was often about his willingness to get stuck in & stay strong. Not his underlying strength
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Ok Phil ! didnt mean to go over the top on physicallity.A lot of players are missed due to a lack of it .It seems in Hassans case the strength of character shown when criticised by his peers ogres well for his future.
Theres a difference in being head strong and beleafe in yourself.If the balance his right we could be onto a winner.
About time we brought a real talented flair player through our academy ,I thought it was going to be Diego that was not to be let's hope we have the rreal deal this time.
 
Lads mature at different times and it's not always about physical strength. Saka is playing first team footy at The Arse, aged 19.

Ball_Sup (Phil) , what do you think of Nickseon Gomis?, just going on his pictures alone, the lad looks a real unit, and probably not stopped growing yet!
 
Ball_Sup (Phil) said:
I'm naturally nervous making any comments which appear critical of our youngsters. That's not what I'm in the game for. But. Simply. First few times I saw Hassan vs first few times I saw David Brooks. No contest. Brooks. He ran games. Because he was always in them. But, of course, neither Hassan nor David had ANYTHING on the first few times I saw Diego. So, a cautionary tale.
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Pretty much anyone who was involved with United during De Girolamo's formative years has the same view: he could have been our best ever Academy player. That injury on international duty ruined him.
 
Grappler said:
Lads mature at different times and it's not always about physical strength. Saka is playing first team footy at The Arse, aged 19.

Ball_Sup (Phil) , what do you think of Nickseon Gomis?, just going on his pictures alone, the lad looks a real unit, and probably not stopped growing yet!
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Gomis is part of the Shirecliffe Centre Half Production Line. (Albeit via slightly different route). Love a Centre Half, me. Ioan Evans. Sam Parry. Harry Maguire, Terry Kennedy. Sam Graham. Callum Semple. Kyron Gordon. Jean Belehouan. But of course not all of them have made it. Best I can say is Gomis was (I've not seen any of them play since the last Ice Age) right in that mix. Athlete. Versatile. Good on the ball as well. Long way to go obvs.
 
Balham Blade said:
Pretty much anyone who was involved with United during De Girolamo's formative years has the same view: he could have been our best ever Academy player. That injury on international duty ruined him.
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As posters may already know, I take a benign & sympathetic line on Diego. He's one of thousands who looked great, had the talent, but just didn't make it in the long run. I didn't worry about all that when he was averaging a goal a game, putting opponents on their arse & running the show.
 
Ball_Sup (Phil) said:
Gomis is part of the Shirecliffe Centre Half Production Line. (Albeit via slightly different route). Love a Centre Half, me. Ioan Evans. Sam Parry. Harry Maguire, Terry Kennedy. Sam Graham. Callum Semple. Kyron Gordon. Jean Belehouan. But of course not all of them have made it. Best I can say is Gomis was (I've not seen any of them play since the last Ice Age) right in that mix. Athlete. Versatile. Good on the ball as well. Long way to go obvs.
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Yeah Gomis seems to have been around a couple of years at least, thanks as always for the insight.
 
Ball_Sup (Phil) said:
As posters may already know, I take a benign & sympathetic line on Diego. He's one of thousands who looked great, had the talent, but just didn't make it in the long run. I didn't worry about all that when he was averaging a goal a game, putting opponents on their arse & running the show.
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It became very trendy on here to slag him off, but when I saw him play, in the youth teams, he was head head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of talent, on the pitch, no matter who we played against.

I am not a gambling man, but if I was, and someone had said to me, back then, put 100 quid on the lad you think will go on to have a great footballing career, it would have been him.

It's so hard to judge sometimes, I always thought that Matty Harriott looked like he had a good future ahead of him.
 
Grappler said:
It became very trendy on here to slag him off, but when I saw him play, in the youth teams, he was head head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of talent, on the pitch, no matter who we played against.

I am not a gambling man, but if I was, and someone had said to me, back then, put 100 quid on the lad you think will go on to have a great footballing career, it would have been him.

It's so hard to judge sometimes, I always thought that Matty Harriott looked like he had a good future ahead of him.
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I'm willing to say that the reasons why any player doesn't make it from Academy to First Team is exquisitely multi dimensional. It'll never boil down to just any one of skill, strength, speed, attitude, injuries, burn out, lager. It'll be a ridiculous combination of all of those & many more. Slagging players off because ..... is cheap. It's very hard to judge as you say.
 
BornOnShorehamStreet said:
Did you notice where he aimed the free kicks at? Top corner of the net every time. :)
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It's difficult to tell from the long range videos but it looks like the ball is around the wall whereas if the wall was sited differently he wouldn't be able to have such a sight of goal.
edit: Don't get me wrong if he's hitting them over the wall and in off the post, I'd stick the lad on the bench to come on for the last 10 minutes if one goal will change the result, when we press we seem to win a decent number of freekicks around the area it'd be nice if we could score one.
 
8lade said:
It's difficult to tell from the long range videos but it looks like the ball is around the wall whereas if the wall was sited differently he wouldn't be able to have such a sight of goal.
edit: Don't get me wrong if he's hitting them over the wall and in off the post, I'd stick the lad on the bench to come on for the last 10 minutes if one goal will change the result, when we press we seem to win a decent number of freekicks around the area it'd be nice if we could score one.
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Me too. He had rave reviews even before he joined us and I think it was, seemingly, a bit of a coup to have him join us.

Hope he isn't a one YouTube wonder ;)
 



Two more goals today including another free kick, losing 3-2 with 20 mins to play.



 
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