U23s away at Forest

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I generally find that if you're disappointed by a Football Result (for eg v Villa) the best antidote is MORE FOOTBALL. We've just left our Birmingham hotel for the train to Nottingham and the U23s v Forest at their Academy - 1pm. Usual team dilemma - with a team full of Academy Lads out on loan .... will it just be the ever younger Lads, will they be shored up by any First Team Fringers, will there be trialists?

Our U23s are firmly anchored in mid table. Sixth of Ten. Might move up to 5th if we win & other results go our way. Forest are 8th, seven points adrift of us.
I've got my eye on just one Microbrewery in Nottingham (that'll be 89 for the season) - we'll see......
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[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Silent Blade]

Ball_Sup (Phil)

Spoke to someone who attended a Q and A session with Steve Gerrard last season. Steve was Liverpool's Academy manager at the time. He was asked if he thought any of the currently Academy players will make the 1st team. He replied "Not under Klopp". Are they Academy blockers too?

 

[Silent Blade]

Thought Travis Binnon is the manager?

 

[wizadry]

Bridcutt and Ward are included for Forest which looks a decent side. Lunny, Bryan and Washington are our standout inclusions, interesting to see Freeman can’t even get in this team now.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Ball_Sup (Phil)

Spoke to someone who attended a Q and A session with Steve Gerrard last season. Steve was Liverpool's Academy manager at the time. He was asked if he thought any of the currently Academy players will make the 1st team. He replied "Not under Klopp". Are they Academy blockers too?

An academy player would have to be an outstanding talent to make a top 4 Prem team/squad. Trent AA has been with them all his life as far as I know and is probaby one of the rarities.

It's a problem with English football from top to bottom unfortunately, lower division clubs take players from the likes of us for example ahead of local talent.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Ball_Sup (Phil)

Spoke to someone who attended a Q and A session with Steve Gerrard last season. Steve was Liverpool's Academy manager at the time. He was asked if he thought any of the currently Academy players will make the 1st team. He replied "Not under Klopp". Are they Academy blockers too?

You still pulling that fucking chain? I thought we'd come to an understanding....

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Thought Travis Binnon is the manager?

Nope. Dungworth....

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I see we're 10/1 to win, time for a 2nd half onslaught

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Thought Travis Binnon is the manager?

A mate of mine who supports Chelsea came to the U23s with me v Burnley at Curzon Ashton. In the second half he said "who's he Phil, leaning on the dugout in the tracksuit?"
"The manager, John Dungworth"
"The manager? Well who's the other one who has been bawling & shouting non-stop?"
"That's Binnion...."
Point being Silent Blade Binnion is very "hands on" & does a LOT of coaching. So, you'd be forgiven for thinking Binnion is the manager. But, on paper, Dungworth is the manager.

 

[wizadry]

Thought Travis Binnon is the manager?

Trav is the academy manager and the main coach for the U23s, SB.

 

[Addison]

Interested in your views on Bryan. Did he come off injured?. Still only doing 45 mins, is there an underlying injury problem as by now you would have thought he'd be capable of doing the full 90?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Interested in your views on Bryan. Did he come off injured?. Still only doing 45 mins, is there an underlying injury problem as by now you would have thought he'd be capable of doing the full 90?

My views on Bryan today were....
He didn't come off injured. It looked planned. He doesn't look to have any problem with his fitness, sharpness nor conditioning to me. Recently, the First Team have had Cranie & Stearman on the bench. If one of those steps up for Basham on Wednesday, then Bryan could well step up to the bench. If that were the case, 45 mins today would be sensible.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Cheers Ball_Sup (Phil). Did any of our first teamers stand out, like one would hope they might in a run-out like this? From the outside it looks pretty bad that Conor Washington can't even get a goal against an U23s side, but perhaps I'm being unfair.

 

[Addison]

My views on Bryan today were....
He didn't come off injured. It looked planned. He doesn't look to have any problem with his fitness, sharpness nor conditioning to me. Recently, the First Team have had Cranie & Stearman on the bench. If one of those steps up for Basham on Wednesday, then Bryan could well step up to the bench. If that were the case, 45 mins today would be sensible.

Thanks Phil yes Johnson can't play tomorrow also so hopefully that was the thinking behind him coming off.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Cheers Ball_Sup (Phil). Did any of our first teamers stand out, like one would hope they might in a run-out like this? From the outside it looks pretty bad that Conor Washington can't even get a goal against an U23s side, but perhaps I'm being unfair.

Not unfair, more slightly wide of the mark. It's 11 v 11 even if U23. He still has to have balls played in and others making runs. What I will say is Lundstram & Washington were a credit to themselves today. They put in considered, sustained performances. Working hard & often effectively throughout. When Lundstram drops to U23, he always looks the most accomplished Utd player out there. It's very noticeable he has time on the ball & is two footed. Washington made a number of great runs & had a great chance which the keeper cleared.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Not unfair, more slightly wide of the mark. It's 11 v 11 even if U23. He still has to have balls played in and others making runs. What I will say is Lundstram & Washington were a credit to themselves today. They put in considered, sustained performances. Working hard & often effectively throughout. When Lundstram drops to U23, he always looks the most accomplished Utd player out there. It's very noticeable he has time on the ball & is two footed. Washington made a number of great runs & had a great chance which the keeper cleared.

Fair enough. All makes sense. Cheers mate.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I've just posted my Blog about today's Brewery visit, I mean about today's U23 game. On reflection, we could have had something out of that. Washington had a few chances. He & Lundstram in particular put in creditable, full, proper shifts. And that will have helped the Young Blades out. Bryan did a planned 45. Maybe he'll be around for the bench while Basham is missing. Anyway, if you'd like the fuller Finishing Prices have a link.

https://ball-sup.blogspot.com/2019/02/some-positives.html

 

[I should coco]

I've just posted my Blog about today's Brewery visit, I mean about today's U23 game.

A good read Phil, as ever.

An interesting point about Bryan's 45 minutes and great to hear that Washington and our official supporter appointed scapegoat lad, gave it their all.