EDS/Academy Games

[blues2win]

Brandon Barker and Keane Bryan off to Breda on loan.

[blues2win]

And Celina off to Twente.

[CTID Hants]

And Celina off to Twente.

SSN now reporting lone deal is off as they wouldn't meet his personal terms????


http://www.skysports.com/football/news/ ... ls-through

[blues2win]

Yes. Celina's obviously pissed off with Sane's signing. Said he couldn't expect to be picked ahead of a 37 million player. Unfortunately Bersint isn't as good as Leroy, I'm afraid.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Under 19's going well in the Ruhr cup. Beat Monaco 2.1 , drew 1.1 with Schalke who equalised with a late penalty then beat Bayern 1 nil with a direct free kick from Fernandes

[blues2win]

U19s won Ruhr Cup Final 5-0. Brilliant lads. Individual performance winner Brahim. What a huge prospect he is.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Brahim player of the tournament, Nmecha golden boot for most goals and the team battering Liverpool and Dortmund in the semi and final. Just cannot wait to watch these guys and this years under 18's playing.

[nottsblue]

So, the EDS lads playing out of their normal positions. Full backs in midfield, midfielders in defence and out wide, forwards dropping deep. Head scratching at the time but it suddenly it all makes sense now.

The next generation are already doing what the first team are now learning.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

So, the EDS lads playing out of their normal positions. Full backs in midfield, midfielders in defence and out wide, forwards dropping deep. Head scratching at the time but it suddenly it all makes sense now.

The next generation are already doing what the first team are now learning.

Correct.

[Cocacolajojo]

So, the EDS lads playing out of their normal positions. Full backs in midfield, midfielders in defence and out wide, forwards dropping deep. Head scratching at the time but it suddenly it all makes sense now.

The next generation are already doing what the first team are now learning.

Yes. Seeing one game with the EDS made me realize why we bought the Otter for example, although we saw Fern1 doing much of that work yesterday with the through balls.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

First game in this new league for what is a very young side. here's the City report:

City began the first season of the new-look Premier League 2 with an end-to-end match on a zippy pitch in the heart of England’s National Football Centre.

It was Derby who looked most at ease in the early periods and they were nearly rewarded but midfielder Elsnik’s header was saved excellently by the powerful outstretched arm of Billy O’Brien.

O’Brien was in action again only moments later as he made a strong save low to his left from a 20-yard drive. However, the 20-year-old was powerless to stop the rebound as striker Charles Vernam fired home for the Rams.

The Blues spent the next ten minutes looking to control the midfield area and this dominance gave the silky running of midfielder Paolo Fernandes a platform to shine. The Spaniard picked the ball up on the edge of the box and weaved between two defenders but his powerful effort was saved well by Derby stopper Jonathan Mitchell for City’s biggest chance of the half.

Moments before the half-time whistle Charlie Oliver looked to start another attack from the middle of defence but his pass was intercepted and duly finished by Charles Vernam.

Early in the second period it was Fernandes who again looked the most threatening. This time his free-kick from 30 yards appeared to be dipping under the bar until Mitchell’s hand rose high to tip over and frustrate City.

As if to confound the bad feeling for the Blues, Derby earned a penalty only moments later. It wasn’t to be the end of City’s hopes though as Billy O’Brien’s trailing right leg deflected Callum Guy’s spot kick over the bar.

That proved to be the crucial moment as City went straight on the attack. First, Lukas Nmecha’s strike from a tight angle went underneath Mitchell then, after a period of sustained pressure, Aaron Nemane linked with Nmecha and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The winger remained cool and fired into the opposite corner.

The comeback was complete minutes later as excellent build-up play down the right between Kongolo and substitute Demeaco Duhaney led to simple tap-in for the lethal Lukas Nmecha.
What it means...

City, largely made up of last season’s U18 Premier League winners, begin their U23 Premier League 2 campaign with a hard-earned victory.

Simon Davies’ side will be looking to carry their second half form on when they face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
Key moment...

Football is about fine margins and it was only by the width of Billy O’Brien’s shin that City remained in this particular match early in the second half.

The goalkeeper faced up to Derby’s Callum Guy with the score at 2-0 and seemed to have dived past the ball but his outstretched leg guided the ball to safety and gave City the boost they needed to claw themselves back into the game.
Man of the match...

Billy O’Brien – The goalkeeper is an experienced head in comparison to much of the current side and the Blues needed his voice as the match seemed to be getting away from them.

As well as a superb penalty save, O’Brien’s footwork enabled the Blues to build from the back and the 20-year-old remained a loud and supportive presence for his teammates throughout.
How they lined up...

Despite a host of new names at this level for the Blues, they adopted the familiar 4-3-3 formation.

Billy O’Brien took up his position in goal fresh from the pre-season tour of Munich and China. Fellow traveller James Horsfield started at right-back alongside a centre-back pairing of Cameron Humphreys and Charlie Oliver with Marcus Wood at left-back.

Jacob Davenport sat slightly deeper than fellow midfielders Rodney Kongolo and Paolo Fernandes, who were looking to be key creative forces for the pacey front three of Aaron Nemane, Javairo Dilrosun and central striker Lukas Nmecha.

Note that the next game is on Friday at the Etihad so GET ON DOWN THERE if you can. Much better than any other Friday night you might have planned.

Not quite sure what was going wrong to be 2 down and nearly 3 but fantastic to have the character and ability to come back and win the game. Fernandes seems to have started the season in good form but I am getting the feeling Lucas Nmecha is going to stand out this season with his goals. Golden Boot in the Ruhr tourney we just won and 2 goals and assist in this first game. Really looking forward the game against the Arse on Friday night

[iwasthere2012]

Good report Doug. Very encouraging to hear of the character to come back.
Are we the only team that is going to play their U18's or will others do similar?
Will be interesting to see what the likes of Chelsea will do.

[nottsblue]

Perhaps just as well we aren't in the FL cup (old Johnstones Paint Trophy) as the under 18s against League 1 and 2 sides would be a mismatch and possibly dent their confidence. As well as likely getting kicked all over the park.

[craigmcfc]

Manu Garcia has gone on a season long loan to Deportivo Alaves.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Thanks Mr H, I enjoyed reading that.

Do you have any information as to how Cameron Humphreys performed ??

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Thanks Mr H, I enjoyed reading that.

Do you have any information as to how Cameron Humphreys performed ??

That report was straight from the official site. I didn't get to the game and will have to ask someone that did ::))

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Thanks Mr H, I enjoyed reading that.

Do you have any information as to how Cameron Humphreys performed ??

That report was straight from the official site. I didn't get to the game and will have to ask someone that did ::))

Cheers Mr H.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

EDS V Arsenal tomorrow at the Etihad. Get there

[nottsblue]

EDS V Arsenal tomorrow at the Etihad. Get there

We are winning 1-0 at half time. Sorry, don't know the scorer, just seen the score on Betfair

[craigmcfc]

EDS V Arsenal tomorrow at the Etihad. Get there

We are winning 1-0 at half time. Sorry, don't know the scorer, just seen the score on Betfair

Rodney Kongolo