Ball Sup Blog... SUFC Academy U23 v Everton

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

ICYMI
The U23s are away at Everton on Friday 17 September at 7pm. The game is being played at Southport FC. So, any of you ground hoppers/tickers, there's a chance for you right there. The game is a cup game, in the Premier League Cup. The Carrier Bag Firm love this cup. It's a chance for our (Cat 2) Academy to test themselves against the Big Boys in Cat 1 (and occasionally risk it at a Cat 3). Also. New grounds. New towns. New pubs. Sadly, not this week. We played Everton at Southport in the same competition in February 2019. We were a tad unlucky to lose that 2-1 to late goals after Reece York put us ahead. So the CBF will just have to be happy with a Coast-To-Coast M62 weekend at Southport on Friday & Hull on Saturday.
The tournament does have it's downside I'm afraid, drags on forever. The first phase is a four team group. Each play each home & away. Ours start tomorrow & end 14 Feb 2022. Before we move to the knockout. We're in with Everton, Burnley & Peterborough United. Away games at Southport FC, Leyland County Ground & the Zeeco Stadium home of Stamford FC.
Everton are in Premier League 2, Division 1. That is two divisions above us. P4 W1 D1. Sitting 9th in their league.
The CBF are still sorting our logistics for getting there. But, I'll be updating about the game on this thread for those who aren't tempted.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Bergen Blade]

Any stream showing this one?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Grappler]

Interesting beers, I look forward to hearing about them!

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[EddieColquhoun]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[bertieblade]

Which unfortunately means lopata is not available to play tomorrow, leaving either bash or Robinson to continue

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Bergen Blade]

Which unfortunately means lopata is not available to play tomorrow, leaving either bash or Robinson to continue

So far we've only seen Lopata centrally in a back three. It's a covering position and he'd be required to do a bit more one on one defending, while also being pressed more.

Maybe he'll cope, but it'll be a new situation for him. I notice that the U23s seem to continue playing 3-5-2. I wonder if they'll change soon if the first team sticks with their current formation.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Louie Marsh reminded me a bit of David Brooks in the last match I watched. Skinny, skilful and direct.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Bergen Blade]

Praise on Everton's site as well:

​

25'​

It's been coming. United take the lead. Starbuck volleys a superb cross into the area and Lankshear dives to head the ball past Leban. A great goal and nothing less than the Blades deserve. Long way to go yet though....

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[jono_t2000]

When Lankshear starts we automatically give ourselves a 2 goal headstart. Why the fuck did arsenal let him go????

 

[Digs blade]

He’s some goal scorer that kid. Isn’t he still only 16?

 

[jono_t2000]

He’s some goal scorer that kid. Isn’t he still only 16?

Yep born 20th April 2005.. crazy

 

[Grappler]

He’s some goal scorer that kid. Isn’t he still only 16?

As far as I know yes.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Thanks for that. Just read it from the beginning. I was really nervous as the second half evolved!

 

[jono_t2000]

Ball_Sup (Phil) i know one of the reasons you're been sceptical about our youth making step up is because we're in the equivalent of 3rd or 4th league of youth football.. but that's only because of our academy status being Cat 2 and not 1 right, not because overall quality of our youth players.

Theoretically no reason our youth team couldn't be as good if not better than some of the premier youth league teams, we're just not eligible to play in that league that's all.

 

[Wards]

Not been able to get down to watch the 23s or 18s yet this season but appears Lankshear is doing well, especially if he’s stepping up an age group already. Great result that.

Any sign of Osula this year Ball_Sup (Phil) ? I’ve not seen him mentioned anywhere and thought he was very bright towards the end of last season.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Ball_Sup (Phil) i know one of the reasons you're been sceptical about our youth making step up is because we're in the equivalent of 3rd or 4th league of youth football.. but that's only because of our academy status being Cat 2 and not 1 right, not because overall quality of our youth players.

Theoretically no reason our youth team couldn't be as good if not better than some of the premier youth league teams, we're just not eligible to play in that league that's all.

Not sure I agree with that logic. We're generally playing poorer teams at a lower quality. That's not great for player development. Most clubs who have recently successfully applied to Cat 1 cite a better program of games as one of the reasons to move up. Cat 1 Academies can recruit better youngsters, have an advantage in stealing youngsters from Cat 2 Academies. Cat 1 Academies have more coaches & better facilities. Everything is in their favour to have better quality youth players.

Division 3 clubs will, in general have poorer quality players than Division 1 clubs - won't they?

Theoretically there's EVERY reason our youngsters shouldn't be as good Cat 1 Academy youngsters. What am I missing?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Not sure I agree with that logic. We're generally playing poorer teams at a lower quality. That's not great for player development. Most clubs who have recently successfully applied to Cat 1 cite a better program of games as one of the reasons to move up. Cat 1 Academies can recruit better youngsters, have an advantage in stealing youngsters from Cat 2 Academies. Cat 1 Academies have more coaches & better facilities. Everything is in their favour to have better quality youth players.

Division 3 clubs will, in general have poorer quality players than Division 1 clubs - won't they?

Theoretically there's EVERY reason our youngsters shouldn't be as good Cat 1 Academy youngsters. What am I missing?

A hopeful guess: Us scouting better, training with more quality, having good coaches and being smarter than some of those at the higher level?

 

[S64 Blade]

Surely the ultimate gauge of quality is the output and the careers academy players ultimately end up having. You’ve got a floodlight pitch; so what? It’s easier to poach talent; well what careers are these players having?

I see it a bit like the state/public school system. Public schools generally have better facilities, better teachers and more opportunities for their pupils who in turn are more likely to succeed as a result of this. BUT, there’s plenty of state schools out there are producing far more intelligent and rounded students than many public schools are.

Given United’s reputation and list of players who’ve gone on to have successful careers (plus the fact that many of them seem to be taught to have a mature mindset), I see us as that state school that’s punching well above its weight. There’s undoubtedly some Cat A academies that haven’t and aren’t producing the quality we are, despite it theoretically being easier to do so.

That said, I’d love us to get Cat A. If the academy can work so well without it, having that status should really ramp things up.

 

[jono_t2000]

Surely the ultimate gauge of quality is the output and the careers academy players ultimately end up having. You’ve got a floodlight pitch; so what? It’s easier to poach talent; well what careers are these players having?

I see it a bit like the state/public school system. Public schools generally have better facilities, better teachers and more opportunities for their pupils who in turn are more likely to succeed as a result of this. BUT, there’s plenty of state schools out there are producing far more intelligent and rounded students than many public schools are.

Given United’s reputation and list of players who’ve gone on to have successful careers (plus the fact that many of them seem to be taught to have a mature mindset), I see us as that state school that’s punching well above its weight. There’s undoubtedly some Cat A academies that haven’t and aren’t producing the quality we are, despite it theoretically being easier to do so.

That said, I’d love us to get Cat A. If the academy can work so well without it, having that status should really ramp things up.

Completely agree