U18s FA Youth cup semi final 2nd leg v Arsenal

[Wonderwall]

Enjoyed it but was frustrated that they didn't show some killer instinct and finish arse off. Plenty of chances to do so with a simple pass. Great build up play time and again.

When is the final?

no date yet, the 2nd semi 2nd leg is on friday Chelsea are 1-0 up v Blackburn

[Blue Since 76]

Thought Davenport stood out in first leg and again tonight. Not seen him previously and not an obvious eye catcher but could grow into a good midfielder.

[iwasthere2012]

Shouldn't have been so nervy at the end, but I think there were a lot of really tired legs there at the end.
I think there is a lot of promising players in that group.
Some of the talent is very raw, so you couldn't be sure who'll make it. I do think we have a player in Tosin though. Garcia and Brahim definitely have it but you can never be sure with kids that young, whether they'll take their undoubted talent all the way. I really like the strength of Nmecha although he held on to it a bit too long at times, but they all do at that age.
Davenport had a good game, but to be honest that's the first I've seen of him. I'll take WW's word for it about him. How old is he?

Naive at the end. Not seeing it through comfortably, but a really enjoyable game. Fullblooded from everyone of them.

[Wonderwall]

Final first leg is likely to be Monday 18th April with the 2nd leg on Monday 25th April if it follows the same pattern as last year.

We will have to wait to see which leg will be at home

[Wonderwall]

Shouldn't have been so nervy at the end, but I think there were a lot of really tired legs there at the end.
I think there is a lot of promising players in that group.
Some of the talent is very raw, so you couldn't be sure who'll make it. I do think we have a player in Tosin though. Garcia and Brahim definitely have it but you can never be sure with kids that young, whether they'll take their undoubted talent all the way. I really like the strength of Nmecha although he held on to it a bit too long at times, but they all do at that age.
Davenport had a good game, but to be honest that's the first I've seen of him. I'll take WW's word for it about him. How old is he?

Naive at the end. Not seeing it through comfortably, but a really enjoyable game. Fullblooded from everyone of them.

Davenport turned 17 in December

[iwasthere2012]

Shouldn't have been so nervy at the end, but I think there were a lot of really tired legs there at the end.
I think there is a lot of promising players in that group.
Some of the talent is very raw, so you couldn't be sure who'll make it. I do think we have a player in Tosin though. Garcia and Brahim definitely have it but you can never be sure with kids that young, whether they'll take their undoubted talent all the way. I really like the strength of Nmecha although he held on to it a bit too long at times, but they all do at that age.
Davenport had a good game, but to be honest that's the first I've seen of him. I'll take WW's word for it about him. How old is he?

Naive at the end. Not seeing it through comfortably, but a really enjoyable game. Fullblooded from everyone of them.

Davenport turned 17 in December

Looks like an old head on young shoulders.

[Moonchesteri]

We have some promising players there who I think would be comfortable in Pep's system. Good on the ball and all the time making themselves available for a pass

Entertaining stuff glad I found a river

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Was out so missed it live and now just finished watching the recording. To be honest I think we were quite poor tonight and got through with 2 good goals and really tenacious play.
Some bits and pieces of thoughts:
Can't believe how sloppy we were for almost all the first half and on occasions in the 2nd as well. Giving the ball away far too easily.
One of ther culprits was Davenport who for a while was having a mare. Messing up passes , missing tackles and just getting into the wrong positions for the role he plays. fair play to him that he got a lot better and found the form I have seen from him most of the season as he has been excellent.

Our midfield just couldn't get it right in that first half.I look for Garcia to help us retain possession, a la Silva but he doesn't often have that in him. He was of course very key to both our goals but that aside I was a little diappointed with him. Maybe Wilcox was too as he took him off!

Brahim is a diamond.Not at his best tonight but tireless as ever and always looking a threat. Just a few occasions where his choice of play wasnt quite right but a pleasure to watch him play.

Tosin should be in the 1st team squad on merit instead of you know who. I thought he was good tonight even though there might still be a mistake in him he has what it takes.

Strange decision to play the two full backs on the wrong wings to start with.It did show up and the lack of a natural attacking full back was quite a big miss for us in the attacking play.

Nmecha and Nemane surely must be wondering what a defender has to do to them before a foul is given! I really like Nmecha and he was unlucky not to score and well done Nemane with that cross for the first goal when we really needed it.

We should fill the academy stadium if the leg is held there.

[Two's Kompany]

DH and other watchers of the youth. What do you make of Nemane? I've seen him 3 or 4 times and I'm always pretty underwhelmed.

[Wonderwall]

DH and other watchers of the youth. What do you make of Nemane? I've seen him 3 or 4 times and I'm always pretty underwhelmed.

Hi Stephen. I don't think he has been the shining star of games but he is Navas like in his work rate and has a good turn of speed. Doesn't shirk his work rate either.

[john@staustell]

Was out so missed it live and now just finished watching the recording. To be honest I think we were quite poor tonight and got through with 2 good goals and really tenacious play.
Some bits and pieces of thoughts:
Can't believe how sloppy we were for almost all the first half and on occasions in the 2nd as well. Giving the ball away far too easily.
One of ther culprits was Davenport who for a while was having a mare. Messing up passes , missing tackles and just getting into the wrong positions for the role he plays. fair play to him that he got a lot better and found the form I have seen from him most of the season as he has been excellent.

Our midfield just couldn't get it right in that first half.I look for Garcia to help us retain possession, a la Silva but he doesn't often have that in him. He was of course very key to both our goals but that aside I was a little diappointed with him. Maybe Wilcox was too as he took him off!

Brahim is a diamond.Not at his best tonight but tireless as ever and always looking a threat. Just a few occasions where his choice of play wasnt quite right but a pleasure to watch him play.

Tosin should be in the 1st team squad on merit instead of you know who. I thought he was good tonight even though there might still be a mistake in him he has what it takes.

Strange decision to play the two full backs on the wrong wings to start with.It did show up and the lack of a natural attacking full back was quite a big miss for us in the attacking play.

Nmecha and Nemane surely must be wondering what a defender has to do to them before a foul is given! I really like Nmecha and he was unlucky not to score and well done Nemane with that cross for the first goal when we really needed it.

We should fill the academy stadium if the leg is held there.

Every time I see this lot they are sloppy - albeit I can only see the TV games. The number of times we gave the ball away first half especially was beyond belief. They so remind me of the first team - struggling to win games they are in total control of.

That goalie was a mistake waiting to happen - not in the actual keeping but that error with his feet was the 2nd or 3rd time he'd tried to be flash instead of just doing the simple thing.

Diaz - like so many of his type brilliant but gives the ball away as he runs into 3 or 4 players - a better team would have scored 3 or 4 on the break. He's only 16 but we've seen it all before of course.

That said it's only frustration because they are so good, so slick and should be walking this whole tournament, much better than Arsenal.

[Hazy2]

Semi final football. All about the result, how you play is not important. Bring on the Final.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

DH and other watchers of the youth. What do you make of Nemane? I've seen him 3 or 4 times and I'm always pretty underwhelmed.

Hi Stephen. I don't think he has been the shining star of games but he is Navas like in his work rate and has a good turn of speed. Doesn't shirk his work rate either.

Fair assessment WW. He is a tad limited like Navas in how he can take a player on.It's basically with speed and maybe a bit of strength to force his way past a full back. He has good energy though and helps out going the other way.The one key difference to Navas is that he has a goal in him. So often when the ball is coming in from the left side you will find Nemane in at the back post.

[iwasthere2012]

Was out so missed it live and now just finished watching the recording. To be honest I think we were quite poor tonight and got through with 2 good goals and really tenacious play.
Some bits and pieces of thoughts:
Can't believe how sloppy we were for almost all the first half and on occasions in the 2nd as well. Giving the ball away far too easily.
One of ther culprits was Davenport who for a while was having a mare. Messing up passes , missing tackles and just getting into the wrong positions for the role he plays. fair play to him that he got a lot better and found the form I have seen from him most of the season as he has been excellent.

Our midfield just couldn't get it right in that first half.I look for Garcia to help us retain possession, a la Silva but he doesn't often have that in him. He was of course very key to both our goals but that aside I was a little diappointed with him. Maybe Wilcox was too as he took him off!

Brahim is a diamond.Not at his best tonight but tireless as ever and always looking a threat. Just a few occasions where his choice of play wasnt quite right but a pleasure to watch him play.

Tosin should be in the 1st team squad on merit instead of you know who. I thought he was good tonight even though there might still be a mistake in him he has what it takes.

Strange decision to play the two full backs on the wrong wings to start with.It did show up and the lack of a natural attacking full back was quite a big miss for us in the attacking play.

Nmecha and Nemane surely must be wondering what a defender has to do to them before a foul is given! I really like Nmecha and he was unlucky not to score and well done Nemane with that cross for the first goal when we really needed it.

We should fill the academy stadium if the leg is held there.

Every time I see this lot they are sloppy - albeit I can only see the TV games. The number of times we gave the ball away first half especially was beyond belief. They so remind me of the first team - struggling to win games they are in total control of.

That goalie was a mistake waiting to happen - not in the actual keeping but that error with his feet was the 2nd or 3rd time he'd tried to be flash instead of just doing the simple thing.

Diaz - like so many of his type brilliant but gives the ball away as he runs into 3 or 4 players - a better team would have scored 3 or 4 on the break. He's only 16 but we've seen it all before of course.

That said it's only frustration because they are so good, so slick and should be walking this whole tournament, much better than Arsenal.

Kind of agree John, but think this batch are still better overall that what I've seen in the last two years.
Diaz has something a bit more about him, that gets me genuinely excited. He ran into Cull De sacs last night, as did Nmecha. Just youthful exuberance. They all do it. Make the wrong, somewhat simple decision and overdo things. I do think there is tremendous raw materials there though.
If Pep wants to, I think he could make a team with at least three or four of them in it.
At least in the squad in a couple of years.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Was out so missed it live and now just finished watching the recording. To be honest I think we were quite poor tonight and got through with 2 good goals and really tenacious play.
Some bits and pieces of thoughts:
Can't believe how sloppy we were for almost all the first half and on occasions in the 2nd as well. Giving the ball away far too easily.
One of ther culprits was Davenport who for a while was having a mare. Messing up passes , missing tackles and just getting into the wrong positions for the role he plays. fair play to him that he got a lot better and found the form I have seen from him most of the season as he has been excellent.

Our midfield just couldn't get it right in that first half.I look for Garcia to help us retain possession, a la Silva but he doesn't often have that in him. He was of course very key to both our goals but that aside I was a little diappointed with him. Maybe Wilcox was too as he took him off!

Brahim is a diamond.Not at his best tonight but tireless as ever and always looking a threat. Just a few occasions where his choice of play wasnt quite right but a pleasure to watch him play.

Tosin should be in the 1st team squad on merit instead of you know who. I thought he was good tonight even though there might still be a mistake in him he has what it takes.

Strange decision to play the two full backs on the wrong wings to start with.It did show up and the lack of a natural attacking full back was quite a big miss for us in the attacking play.

Nmecha and Nemane surely must be wondering what a defender has to do to them before a foul is given! I really like Nmecha and he was unlucky not to score and well done Nemane with that cross for the first goal when we really needed it.

We should fill the academy stadium if the leg is held there.

Every time I see this lot they are sloppy - albeit I can only see the TV games. The number of times we gave the ball away first half especially was beyond belief. They so remind me of the first team - struggling to win games they are in total control of.

That goalie was a mistake waiting to happen - not in the actual keeping but that error with his feet was the 2nd or 3rd time he'd tried to be flash instead of just doing the simple thing.

Diaz - like so many of his type brilliant but gives the ball away as he runs into 3 or 4 players - a better team would have scored 3 or 4 on the break. He's only 16 but we've seen it all before of course.

That said it's only frustration because they are so good, so slick and should be walking this whole tournament, much better than Arsenal.

On the goalie thing and giving the ball away I do know what you mean but it's part of the way they are encouraged to play. It's about passing the way forward rather than lumping it and inevitably mistakes will be made that they need to learn from. Good opposition know this and inevitably press high to try and catch us out but we still try to play. Maybe the occasion makes us a little nervous and 3 games in a row now we have looked very dodgy in the first 20 minutes or so. 2 games v Arsenal and the league game v Chelsea. Each time an early goal given away before we strated to get it right and go on to win.

Grimshaw is as confident a goalkeeper with the ball on the floor as I have seen. And then he goes and makes that mistake near the end which would have haunted him if he hadn't made the save from the free kick. It clearly was misplaced confidence in the match situation which should have seen him clear it to the opposing corner flag!

I was pleased to hear Wilcox say harsh words were spoken at half time as they were clearly warranted. They got the right response too as we were better in the 2nd half even if still way off perfect. Perfect would have seen us score a few more goals but what we did see was a team closing a tough game out which I seem to recall somewhere folk saying is an important feature of players and team development.

[Wonderwall]

Amazing but being critical of a side that won the league and is in the final of the FA youth cup for a 2nd year running, is a little harsh.

That lot from Salford are a billion miles away from our kids. I see they played a few first teamers again last night in the u21's and no doubt the media will lap up how their u21s have a good record. When in reality. They rarely field an u21 side.

[john@staustell]

Yeah I didn't mean to be too harsh as I said in my last para, and I'm glad Wilcox agreed! It's just that they should be slaughtering everyone.

As for Grimshaw he had 3 better options - pass it right to the full back who was close, hoof it into row Z or just bring it under control simply with foot then drop on it.

But it was a bizarre little flick, like he did a couple of times before, which very nearly cost a goal, the tie, the cup.

CUT IT OUT BOY!!!!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Amazing but being critical of a side that won the league and is in the final of the FA youth cup for a 2nd year running, is a little harsh.

That lot from Salford are a billion miles away from our kids. I see they played a few first teamers again last night in the u21's and no doubt the media will lap up how their u21s have a good record. When in reality. They rarely field an u21 side.

Our 18's are good both individually and as a team but they need criticism when they don't get it right and I am pleased to hear that Wilcox isn't shy about laying into them. You are right that the Salford boys are way behind and yet receive praise for the youth that has stepped into the first team this season with that rasher lad being hailed as the next world superstar.

It was good to hear on commentary last night that when they played City recently at under 21's Rasher was controlled by City and Tosin in particular.Salford under 21's is in reality a reserve side and that's the only reason they might win that league but below that they are dreadful.

[john@staustell]

Yeah I didn't mean to be too harsh as I said in my last para, and I'm glad Wilcox agreed! It's just that they should be slaughtering everyone.

As for Grimshaw he had 3 better options - pass it right to the full back who was close, hoof it into row Z or just bring it under control simply with foot.

But it was a bizarre little flick, like he did a couple of times before, which very nearly cost a goal, the tie, the cup.

CUT IT OUT BOY!!!!

As for Diaz it's the first time I've really seen him for a spell. I know his skill is immense but as I said above - We've seen it before and the higher up you get in football the less they appreciate you giving the ball away rrunning into 4 people. It will just get you on the subs bench. On the other hand he should be in a team of stars who all need marking (so he wont be against 3 or 4) and also Ronaldo was a bit like that when he came to Scum.

If he learns when to pass, he's cracked it! And he has plenty of time.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Amazing but being critical of a side that won the league and is in the final of the FA youth cup for a 2nd year running, is a little harsh.

That lot from Salford are a billion miles away from our kids. I see they played a few first teamers again last night in the u21's and no doubt the media will lap up how their u21s have a good record. When in reality. They rarely field an u21 side.

Our 18's are good both individually and as a team but they need criticism when they don't get it right and I am pleased to hear that Wilcox isn't shy about laying into them. You are right that the Salford boys are way behind and yet receive praise for the youth that has stepped into the first team this season with that rasher lad being hailed as the next world superstar.

It was good to hear on commentary last night that when they played City recently at under 21's Rasher was controlled by City and Tosin in particular.Salford under 21's is in reality a reserve side and that's the only reason they might win that league but below that they are dreadful.

It was good to hear that, better than hearing that this cup was City's best chance of silverware this season.