Academy

[Latvian Eagle]

Pompey sneaking through with that third goal unless Wimbledon find an injury time equaliser.

[Celestial Empire]

When Imray and Mooney came on, suddenly they looked much more like a team.

[Stinger1]

Originally Posted by Celestial Empire

My expectations are for a bit of intensity, a touch of bravery, some enthusiasm and maybe a hint of energy, together with a recognisable shape.
Against Sutton (I know - a different team), they showed a bit of fighting spirit.

Sutton United are in the league below Portsmouth.

Half the team were making their first start in a while against League one opposition, they aren't going to be able to match Portsmouth's intensity or quality.

[PemboExpress]

Hopefully a night of learning and development for the boys tonight.
Good to see Imray come on and show some good intent.

[Palace Dan]

Tried hard tonight. Lots of huff and puff but cohesion not quite there. Some good saves too in first half. Hats off to the others there tonight, especially with Mr Pompey ringing his bell all night. Sausage rolls very pleasant!

[MFBias]

Originally Posted by Big Blue Eagle

I very much doubt that they all have a very clear understanding of how big the step up is given how many never get further than our Academy.

The difference is, one talented player makes the transition to the first team, maybe one a year and that would be a huge success for our academy worth £10m atleast. Here there are a team of players that maybe at best one player may break through, and that is normal for an academy side unless you have a golden batch.

It is good for the academy as a whole for the cream of our academy to be playing in this tournament. Our players being on international duty is a good sign.

One youngster making their debut for senior team will look better than the same youngster playing in the U23’s, a team of youngsters against a senior team. Give them some leeway, all the U23s struggle abit in these tournaments as it is a big step up. (Villa the exception this year)

[GreatGonzo]

Originally Posted by Celestial Empire

When Imray and Mooney came on, suddenly they looked much more like a team.

Coincided with Pompey going all out for another goal which opened up the game. That was more responsible for the change than the substitutions.

Whilst there were quite a few players in the Pompey side who were not 1st choice and were quite young they were still a few years older than our lads. That extra speed, the extra size that they had due to being slightly older told. The game was played at a faster tempo than I think they are used to with players who are fitter than they are used to. It showed in their passing with lots of the passes being intercepted which probably make the target in U18 games.

Undoubtedly we would have been better had the 5 or so players who would have started not been on international duty but this is a big step up in quality for these players.

Everton, Leeds, Wolves, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Newcastle, Southampton and Spurs are all also out. No U21 team qualified in the Northern section.

Villa won their group but did so playing players like Keinan Davis, a bit like us playing Olise in our games.

[Latvian Eagle]

Originally Posted by GreatGonzo

Coincided with Pompey going all out for another goal which opened up the game. That was more responsible for the change than the substitutions.

Whilst there were quite a few players in the Pompey side who were not 1st choice and were quite young they were still a few years older than our lads. That extra speed, the extra size that they had due to being slightly older told. The game was played at a faster tempo than I think they are used to with players who are fitter than they are used to. It showed in their passing with lots of the passes being intercepted which probably make the target in U18 games.

Undoubtedly we would have been better had the 5 or so players who would have started not been on international duty but this is a big step up in quality for these players.

Everton, Leeds, Wolves, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Newcastle, Southampton and Spurs are all also out. No U21 team qualified in the Northern section.

Villa won their group but did so playing players like Keinan Davis, a bit like us playing Olise in our games.

Exactly this. Seemed to be some hugely over the top expectancy on this team, people need to bear in mind also these are U21s... Quite a few lads who usually play U23s probably couldn't play due to age (plus of course the internationals).

Good experience for our lads, hopefully they took something from.thw three games and can adapt in future.

[Havel]

I think it shows that nearly all of the players involved last night are just squad fillers for the under 23’s. No one stood out, all of the players who do stand a chance of maybe making it, were away with their countries or rested. It is a shame that this game was at the same time as internationals. But it shows the step up these players have to make, and most won’t make it.

[BillyTKid]

Originally Posted by Havel

I think it shows that nearly all of the players involved last night are just squad fillers for the under 23’s. No one stood out, all of the players who do stand a chance of maybe making it, were away with their countries or rested. It is a shame that this game was at the same time as internationals. But it shows the step up these players have to make, and most won’t make it.

Yeah I think that's the nature of the beast with academy's. 95% of the players are there to fill the squads to allow the one or two super talents to have a platform to flourish. That's why its great to see our new academy facilities that will provide an excellent education to these lads outside of just football.

[Gazza2]

I really rate the keeper Goodman.
I think that was first time last night that he has stepped up to play at higher age group than U18s (cos Whitworth and Webber both away on International duty).
Thought he made an excellent save in first half and generally looked confident for first appearance in older age group.

[Johnsonpen]

Interesting little article on Jake O’Brien here. Sounds as if he was a top level boxer and hurler but now devoted to football
To view the link you have to Register or Login

[GreatGonzo]

Originally Posted by Havel

I think it shows that nearly all of the players involved last night are just squad fillers for the under 23’s. No one stood out, all of the players who do stand a chance of maybe making it, were away with their countries or rested. It is a shame that this game was at the same time as internationals. But it shows the step up these players have to make, and most won’t make it.

Sorry but I think this shows a lack of understanding of this competition. Many of the players last night are starters for the U18s. They are not at U23 level yet. There was no one rested, that was the best we could put out whilst keeping it at a development level.

Whitworth
Ferguson O’Brien Guehi Mitchell
Boateng Gallagher Wells-Morrison
Banks Rak-Sakyi Olise

If we put that team out in all 3 games then we stroll the league section, and that is probably our best U21 team. 7 or 8 on international duty, 1 or 2 first team regular and training, 1 played.

The trophy games are always played in international breaks, the competition is designed that way and we knew that going into it. It is all about development and the players last night will have learned a lot. Things they will not learn playing in U18 and U23 games and hopefully that will make them better.

[GreatGonzo]

Originally Posted by Gazza2

I really rate the keeper Goodman.
I think that was first time last night that he has stepped up to play at higher age group than U18s (cos Whitworth and Webber both away on International duty).
Thought he made an excellent save in first half and generally looked confident for first appearance in older age group.

Few shaky moments in there too. Very quiet as well. However still learning and it was his biggest game. In the warm up when they were crossing into him he went to punch and the coach said, ‘your not trying to deliver a haymaker, just helping it on.’ Learning all the time.

[penguin7]

The trophy games are always played in international breaks, the competition is designed that way and we knew that going into it. It is all about development and the players last night will have learned a lot. Things they will not learn playing in U18 and U23 games and hopefully that will make them better.[/QUOTE]

Spot on. The players that were away with international squads will gain valuable experience from being in a different environment, even if they do not play matches.

Most of those who replaced them had no experience of playing against League 2 players and will have got a bit of a reality check.

Perhaps the fact that Liverpool U21s lost last night 5-0 to League 2 Port Vale puts our result into perspective.

Now we are out of this competition, both our PL2 and U18s can carry on their excellent progress in their respective leagues

[Stinger1]

Originally Posted by Gazza2

I really rate the keeper Goodman.
I think that was first time last night that he has stepped up to play at higher age group than U18s (cos Whitworth and Webber both away on International duty).
Thought he made an excellent save in first half and generally looked confident for first appearance in older age group.

I've made the point previously that I don't think he's looked good this season and Whitworth has really proven himself a level above and one of the better keepers at U23 level.

But Goodman made a fantastic save to his right in the first half and he was better with his feet than I've seen him in other U18 games this season. No doubt he had a good game.

It might be that I'm judging Goodman by Whitworth's standards and Whitworth is simply outstanding at youth level. I think Goodman's reactions, handling and feet are quite a way off Whitworth's but perhaps given Goodman's frame he might have a higher ceiling.

[thehound]

The England under 18’s three games are in quick succession. You would think the four selected will get actual minutes playing.

Are the games streamed?

[Palace43]

Originally Posted by thehound

The England under 18’s three games are in quick succession. You would think the four selected will get actual minutes playing.

Are the games streamed?

The outfield players certainly will.

Whitworth is 1 of 4 keepers in the squad. It all depends on where they see him among the other goalkeepers.

[AJ8]

Originally Posted by thehound

The England under 18’s three games are in quick succession. You would think the four selected will get actual minutes playing.

Are the games streamed?

All games will be streamed on the Pinatar Tournament YouTube channel

[Stinger1]

Originally Posted by AJ8

All games will be streamed on the Pinatar Tournament YouTube channel

Good stuff! I'd searched but I couldn't find anything.

First game tomorrow 5:30pm: