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EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Mon Dec 17, 2012 6:27 pmby Douglas Higginbottom
I decided to nick this report from Mark Booth who posts for City
Attilio Lombardo’s Elite Development Squad signed off for 2012 with a battling 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.
A spectacular 40 yard from George Evans cancelled out an early strike from the visitors to make honours even in a full-blooded affair at a sodden Platt Lane.
City knew that a win would propel them into Qualification Tier One when the league resumes breaks off and resumes after Christmas, while a point would be enough to see them climb off the bottom of the table.
Attilio Lombardo was able to name a strong XI, bolstered by Denis Suarez and Albert Rusnak, who both made returns to the starting line-up after their long injury lay-offs.
Karim Rekik was named on the substitute bench for the first-team’s 3-1 win over Newcastle at the weekend and he returned to captain the Elite Development Squad.
Despite the game taking place at 2pm, it was a dark, dreary backdrop that greeted the visit of the Cottagers which made for a scrappy opening half in which the sides dug trenches and bedded in for a bruising midfield battle that Fulham gained the upper hand in after 17 minutes.
Tricky Fulham winger Charles Banya pitched a teasing ball into the penalty area and Eirik Johansen’s punch dropped favourably for Ryan Williams to power home from 15 yards.
City responded well to the set-back and created chances to level, with Luca Scapuzzi assuming the role of architect for a flurry of opportunities on the half-hour mark.
First, Suarez was unable to turn his lay-off towards goal, with the ball drifting wide from a vicious strike, before Marcos Lopes tested Neil Etheridge in the Fulham goal.
Lombardo gambled at half-time, sacrificing Rusnak for striker Devante Cole who joined Scapuzzi upfront in the pursuit of an equaliser.
They didn’t have to wait long as Evans arrived first onto a clearance from Etheridge and let fly from close to the half way line with a measured but powerful strike that crept into the far corner.
It was an audacious effort from the midfielder who was first to every ball in this encounter and showcased his supreme passing range in midfield.
It could have got even better for City in the second half as Suarez, Ntcham and Drury terrorized the visitors with their pace and power but it was the totem of Scapuzzi that had the half's best opportunity, turning a Pozo shot onto the crossbar from close range with 10 minutes to go.
Lopes, Drury and Pozo had late half chances but a combination of good goalkeeping and misfortune kept honours even.
City EDS finish in sixth position and will start the second half of the season in Qualification Group Two.
My take on the game was that Fulham were better in the first half and deserved to be ahead and we were much better in the 2nd definitely deserved to be level although it was a bit of a fluke.In context though the Fulham side were bigger,older and stronger with Frei at number 10 and apparently one of their defenders represented New Zealand in the Olympics (ok only NZ)_
They had 3 at the back who were mountains compared to our guys so physically intimidating if nothing else.Suarez and Rekik made welcome returns but for me it showed that they had been out for quite a lengthy time.Neither seemed up with the pace so it was no surprise Ruznak didn't play the 2nd half. Add to that our main striker was Scapuzzi and our threat was minimal although to his credit he did set up a great chance for Suarez.
Against Sunderland in midweek (youth against youth) we looked dominant compared to today with the age difference I think it said a lot that we fought back and overall might have deserved a win.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:21 pmby BmoreBlue
it's easy to get down when you are constantly seeing results where city are losing or drawing, but i'd rather be sacrificing results and helping our teenagers be prepared for life in the PL. love seeing youngsters like lopes and pozo (both 16 i believe) playing well above their age group. thanks for the report doug. anyone stand out today for good reasons?
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:17 amby Douglas Higginbottom
BmoreBlue wrote:it's easy to get down when you are constantly seeing results where city are losing or drawing, but i'd rather be sacrificing results and helping our teenagers be prepared for life in the PL. love seeing youngsters like lopes and pozo (both 16 i believe) playing well above their age group. thanks for the report doug. anyone stand out today for good reasons?
A couple of interesting performances. Adam Drury playing right full back when he has been a right winger basically all his career I think. He is quite small but is quick and has great energy to get up and down.He is learning the role (sometimes wing back) and will make defensive mistakes but his attacking play from very deep is very very good.Timing the runs is a skill and he seems to get it right more often than not.being small though isn't great for a defensive player but again the good news is that he is a little like Zaba in that he is brave and jumps well for a little un.
George Evans. I haven't been that convinced that he would make it in the central holding role and maybe I am still not but I do feel he is developing it well and definitely getting better.Reading the game better and pivotal in our play but he does have to get better with his passing.
Ntcham was central today alongside George but with a freer role. I do like him.He has a confidence, good strength , 2 footed and a good shot on him and he is very young. Definitely one for the future.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:35 amby Ted Hughes
Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:47 amby Mike J
Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:58 amby Ted Hughes
Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
Tbf, he probably will be.
It's just that I have a proper turd in my pocket about Scapuzzi & Mancini JR being at our club. I think it's utterly wrong & would not allow it if I was Khaldoon/Txiki etc.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:37 amby Douglas Higginbottom
Ted Hughes wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
Tbf, he probably will be.
It's just that I have a proper turd in my pocket about Scapuzzi & Mancini JR being at our club. I think it's utterly wrong & would not allow it if I was Khaldoon/Txiki etc.
Pozo is getting plenty of games exposure beyond his age group and I am guessing that it was decided he needed a rest against Fulham.They are a strong powerful side as said but the surprise for me was that Devante Cole didn't start.
I had a conversation before the game with an ex academy player who is now in the USA.He is doing well over there with the college team he is at performing better then they have for many a year.The approach he says is very different there as they are very tactical with the sole aim being to prepare for and beat the team they are playing.That compared to the City academy team where it is all about development with the result secondary.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:45 amby Beefymcfc
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
Tbf, he probably will be.
It's just that I have a proper turd in my pocket about Scapuzzi & Mancini JR being at our club. I think it's utterly wrong & would not allow it if I was Khaldoon/Txiki etc.
Pozo is getting plenty of games exposure beyond his age group and I am guessing that it was decided he needed a rest against Fulham.They are a strong powerful side as said but the surprise for me was that Devante Cole didn't start.
I had a conversation before the game with an ex academy player who is now in the USA.He is doing well over there with the college team he is at performing better then they have for many a year.The approach he says is very different there as they are very tactical with the sole aim being to prepare for and beat the team they are playing.That compared to the City academy team where it is all about development with the result secondary.
It's good to see that it is now development rather than early success. In the future these young lads should be targeted to perform alongside our 1st team and when the time is right, fit them into the system.
I found it wierd to see one of the papers reporting that Mancini was in loggerheads with the new top corridor regarding our youth, stating that it wouldn't be good enough, along with the coaches. A very strange statement really knowing what is planned, aligned with the fact that Lombardo has just taken over the running, a long time ally of Mancini. Basically saying his mate's shit and the future set up will be shit, unless I'm reading it wrong?
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:23 pmby Ted Hughes
I've not seen any of that re Mancini but I hope you are mistaken somehow as A: he would be talking through his arse & B: it would mean he's on his bike.
What City are doing will be way ahead of anyone over here, & probably anywhere else, & from what I've read they are hoovering up the best coaches available for it.
Hopefully the piece you are referring to is the pile of shite by Joe Bernstein; a shit stirring, Ferguson arse licking, cunt of the highest order.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:07 pmby Goataldo
Excellent stuff, cheers Doug!
Sounds like Pozo is settling in nicely?
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:24 pmby Swales4ever
I love Ted's rants.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:38 pmby Dronny
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:30 pmby stefano
Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
thanks to God you and that pirla above you can relax now. scapuzzi is out on loan at varese. 6 months.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:59 pmby Ted Hughes
stefano wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
thanks to God you and that pirla above you can relax now. scapuzzi is out on loan at varese. 6 months.
Perhaps you can fuck off with him & take Mancini JR along for the ride.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:54 pmby Swales4ever
stefano wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
thanks to God you and that pirla above you can relax now. scapuzzi is out on loan at varese. 6 months.
I tried hard to fix it on You, but You turn out a deadwood, son. I do surrender: get all whatYou are seeking for: shit!
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:01 pmby stefano
Mancio4ever wrote:stefano wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
thanks to God you and that pirla above you can relax now. scapuzzi is out on loan at varese. 6 months.
I tried hard to fix it on You, but You turn out a deadwood, son. I do surrender: get all whatYou are seeking for: shit!
if getting shit means calling idiot the idiots i'm a shitlover then :-)
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:04 pmby Ted Hughes
stefano wrote:Mancio4ever wrote:stefano wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
thanks to God you and that pirla above you can relax now. scapuzzi is out on loan at varese. 6 months.
I tried hard to fix it on You, but You turn out a deadwood, son. I do surrender: get all whatYou are seeking for: shit!
if getting shit means calling idiot the idiots i'm a shitlover then :-)
I recon you lick the shit off Scapuzzi's chocolate starfish.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:15 pmby Swales4ever
stefano wrote:Mancio4ever wrote:stefano wrote:Mike J wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug, interesting stuff.
Great to know that Scapuzzi is back in the team rather than having to play mugs like Pozo in there.
The Scapuzzi thing is a joke. Its fucking obvious he has no future with us. This Pozo lad is supposed to be top draw, he needs to be in that EDS team.
thanks to God you and that pirla above you can relax now. scapuzzi is out on loan at varese. 6 months.
I tried hard to fix it on You, but You turn out a deadwood, son. I do surrender: get all whatYou are seeking for: shit!
if getting shit means calling idiot the idiots i'm a shitlover then :-)
You have TRULY misjudged Your targets, take it for granted, I tell You last time. apologize and enjoy the ride: You might learn a thing or two from them both.
End of patronizing mood.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:28 pmby stefano
Mancio4ever wrote:You have TRULY misjudged Your targets, take it for granted, I tell You last time. apologize and enjoy the ride: You might learn a thing or two from them both.
End of patronizing mood.
if anything i need to apologise to Paulus becouse i called ted hughes "the english paulus" and i was wrong. paulus understand football a infinitely more than him.
Re: EDS v Fulham
Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:31 pmby Swales4ever
stefano wrote:Mancio4ever wrote:You have TRULY misjudged Your targets, take it for granted, I tell You last time. apologize and enjoy the ride: You might learn a thing or two from them both.
End of patronizing mood.
if anything i need to apologise to Paulus becouse i called ted hughes "the english paulus" and i was wrong. paulus understand football a infinitely more than him.
as You wish, fella. Ted has strong nails: enjoy.