U21s

[1danewhitehouse]

Won 2-0 at Vicarage Road with Diego getting both goals. Kennedy and Flynn played. The new full back Phillips got an assist too.

Seems Watford’s U21s are poor though with them being winless so far this season and Harry Kewell (their U21 coach) and his squad getting some stick in the local rag.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Won 2-0 at Vicarage Road with Diego getting both goals. Kennedy and Flynn played. The new full back Phillips got an assist too.

Seems Watford’s U21s are poor though with them being winless so far this season and Harry Kewell (their U21 coach) and his squad getting some stick in the local rag.

Dane's comments just about sum up the difference between the two teams. Kewell was not pleased with his team, and it seems we were superior in most respects. Our lads worked their boots off it seems, and all Kewell could do was use our approach to the game as an example of what was missing in the Watford performance. Well done the U21's.

 

[BushBlade]

Won 2-0 at Vicarage Road with Diego getting both goals. Kennedy and Flynn played. The new full back Phillips got an assist too.

Seems Watford’s U21s are poor though with them being winless so far this season and Harry Kewell (their U21 coach) and his squad getting some stick in the local rag.

Watford used to have a pretty good academy afaicr but I think that was before the Italians took over.

Good to see Diego on the score sheet. I was beginning to think he might just be another prospect who fades into obscurity. He needs to kick on now.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Diego revelling after becoming the key feature of the "Follow Follow" chant...

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Diego revelling after becoming the key feature of the "Follow Follow" chant...

Which is hilarious in itself tbh. Never has a player done so little to merit their name being sung on the terraces.

He could do with another loan spell out in League 2 as soon as the window opens. There were encouraging signs at York, which he unfortunately failed to build on at Northampton. And due to our recruitment he's no nearer the first-team than he was during the previous Nigel. Best he can hope for at the minute is a run in the JPT, which serves more of a purpose of keeping players match-fit than actively developing them.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Which is hilarious in itself tbh. Never has a player done so little to merit their name being sung on the terraces.

It's got to be ironic though, hasn't it?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It's got to be ironic though, hasn't it?

I'd love to be able to confidently say that was the case. Let us not forget the "Ironside" chant. The Porter chants (and Higgo against Fulham) were obvious irony. This though, I'm less sure.

 

[BeatleBlade]

I'd love to be able to confidently say that was the case. Let us not forget the "Ironside" chant. The Porter chants (and Higgo against Fulham) were obvious irony. This though, I'm less sure.

We need to buy another player who's name will fit into the chant. Can't think of any off of the top of my head. Any suggestions?

 

[Dec]

We need to buy another player who's name will fit into the chant. Can't think of any off of the top of my head. Any suggestions?

Sergio Aguero would do me fine...

 

[BeatleBlade]

Sergio Aguero would do me fine...

Sorted! Get out your wallet Mr. McCabe!

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Which is hilarious in itself tbh. Never has a player done so little to merit their name being sung on the terraces.

He could do with another loan spell out in League 2 as soon as the window opens. There were encouraging signs at York, which he unfortunately failed to build on at Northampton. And due to our recruitment he's no nearer the first-team than he was during the previous Nigel. Best he can hope for at the minute is a run in the JPT, which serves more of a purpose of keeping players match-fit than actively developing them.

As a Diego fan, I have to say sad but, true Loughboro

 

[LoughboroBlade]

As a Diego fan, I have to say sad but, true Loughboro

Whisper it, but the fact he's still this far away from the first team might actually suggest that Clough wasn't far wrong with his current assessment of his talents.

I would love to see him succeed with us. For that to happen though, there needs to be some rapid acceleration in his development, because at the minute there's zero chance of first team action because there are far better players ahead of him.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Whisper it, but the fact he's still this far away from the first team might actually suggest that Clough wasn't far wrong with his current assessment of his talents.

I would love to see him succeed with us. For that to happen though, there needs to be some rapid acceleration in his development, because at the minute there's zero chance of first team action because there are far better players ahead of him.

Not far off there L'boro. He needs to make a similar impact to Adams when he first came into the first team. He needs to impose himself on the opposing defence rather than flatter to deceive.

 

[Aston max]

We need to buy another player who's name will fit into the chant. Can't think of any off of the top of my head. Any suggestions?

How about (burn baby burn ) or Deano (Hammond )
Ah well queue slagging

 

[BushBlade]

Whisper it, but the fact he's still this far away from the first team might actually suggest that Clough wasn't far wrong with his current assessment of his talents.

I would love to see him succeed with us. For that to happen though, there needs to be some rapid acceleration in his development, because at the minute there's zero chance of first team action because there are far better players ahead of him.

I also wonder if he's hearing the same kind of advice from Adkins as he was Clough (albeit probably said in a more palatable manner) and it's now starting to hit home.

I can't help thinking back to WHF's comments about Clough being sacked because 'he wouldn't make up with people he'd fallen out with'. If true I hope that was an excuse to sack him and not the reason.

 

[MBoreman]

Thought he looked decent when he got on the ball at Fulham. Get rid of Higdon so he at least has a better shot at the bench more often, and some game time in busy, injury hit periods. Loan to League 1 if possible.

 

[BushBlade]

Thought he looked decent when he got on the ball at Fulham. Get rid of Higdon so he at least has a better shot at the bench more often, and some game time in busy, injury hit periods. Loan to League 1 if possible.

Surely if you'd played Higdon over Diego it would be for tactical reasons. They're not exactly like for like.

 

[Pinchy]

Thought he looked decent when he got on the ball at Fulham. Get rid of Higdon so he at least has a better shot at the bench more often, and some game time in busy, injury hit periods. Loan to League 1 if possible.

Surely the best way for him to get on the bench is to impress as he did last night (with approval from me in the Shoutbox, despite the myth that I hate our young players)?

There are better reasons for getting rid of Higdon than making room on the bench for Diego (unless it's an issue of space, in which case, good point )

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Surely the best way for him to get on the bench is to impress as he did last night (with approval from me in the Shoutbox, despite the myth that I hate our young players)?

There are better reasons for getting rid of Higdon than making room on the bench for Diego (unless it's an issue of space, in which case, good point )

Very soon we'll have Woolford and Flynn fully fit pushing JCR and Adams for starts. Adams and Done when he's back can also play up front – indeed some prefer them there. Add to that we have McNulty unable to get a game at the minute.

Even if he manages to beat Higgopotomous to the bench, he's got a mammoth of a task to muscle in ahead of the 5 other forwards we have.

 

[Pinchy]

Very soon we'll have Woolford and Flynn fully fit pushing JCR and Adams for starts. Adams and Done when he's back can also play up front – indeed some prefer them there. Add to that we have McNulty unable to get a game at the minute.

Even if he manages to beat Higgopotomous to the bench, he's got a mammoth of a task to muscle in ahead of the 5 other forwards we have.

That's all good news for us fans, of course, even if a welcome problem for NA (he'll cope). The more good players we have on the bench (justifiably and within reason, of course) the better for our club; even better players are keeping them out.

However, I've always said that young players must command a place, not expect to be "given a chance" (cf. the "Givemarun" Theorem). For me, that works both ways. If DDG is scoring regularly in the u21s (for the avoidance of doubt, one brace at Fulham ain't enough) then room has to be found for him, otherwise there's no incentive and he'll be entitled (for the first time) to be disillusioned.

Addendum:

You mention Woolford. He hasn't impressed hugely yet, but there are green shoots. That run and pass to Billy at Swindon was very encouraging. I think he might be a decent candidate for central-midfield (not first choice, I hasten to add). He 's shown once or twice he can carry the ball on forward runs of some distance.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

You mention Woolford. He hasn't impressed hugely yet, but there are green shoots. That run and pass to Billy at Swindon was very encouraging. I think he might be a decent candidate for central-midfield (not first choice, I hasten to add). He 's shown once or twice he can carry the ball on forward runs of some distance.

He hasn't no, but as was made clear when he signed he has been playing catch-up fitness-wise. I don't think it's a coincidence that as that's improved so too has what he's offering us. As you suggest, some strong depth to most of the squad at the minute.

 

[Pinchy]

Just viewed the two goals. Both are the product of very good football. Pleased to see it.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Just viewed the two goals. Both are the product of very good football. Pleased to see it.

I agree with you, it's wonderful to see how our U21 coach has embraced the new style and continued to show both his adaptability and continued use to the club. Long may it continue I say.

 

[oxonblade]

I agree with you, it's wonderful to see how our U21 coach has embraced the new style and continued to show both his adaptability and continued use to the club. Long may it continue I say.

Very sublte.

 

[OllyBlade]

We need to buy another player who's name will fit into the chant. Can't think of any off of the top of my head. Any suggestions?

As I've said elsewhere it's very common to end chants based on this tune with a repeat of the 2nd line ("Sheffield United's the team to follow"). The shoehorning in of De Girolamo is either a) bladey bladeness or b) the train of thought - his name's quite exotic/funny and it would be a laugh to get it in a chant. I suspect it's a mixture of the 2.

 

[BushBlade]

Since when have football chants had to make sense? We sing 'with Eddie Colquhoun promotion is soon' which is absolute nonsense.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Both goals were absolutely brilliant.

For the first, Dimaio's first touch looks poor, but notice his second, with the ball in mid-air, he uses the outside of his boot to find Diego. Dimaio then gets forward, past the two opposition players that closed him down, and this sees him get his head to the half cleared ball. He nods controlled to Flynn, who cooly lobs it in behind, with Diego running onto it, holding off a challenge and finishing well.

Second is a flowing, yet composed move. Superb through ball by Wright and off the ball run by the new right back Phillips. Good cross and we have two players (Flynn and Diego) making runs into the box.