Full backs

[john@staustell]

Unsavoury rumours still persist over Oxlade-Chamberlain. If true and let's hope they are nothing but the usual bullshit, may he be seen as a wing back rather than the midfielder he currently is?

On the plus side he knows where the net is. Which is our real problem

[Dubciteh]

Unsavoury rumours still persist over Oxlade-Chamberlain. If true and let's hope they are nothing but the usual bullshit, may he be seen as a wing back rather than the midfielder he currently is?

On the plus side he knows where the net is. Which is our real problem

Oxlade chamberlain??

[london blue 2]

Unsavoury rumours still persist over Oxlade-Chamberlain. If true and let's hope they are nothing but the usual bullshit, may he be seen as a wing back rather than the midfielder he currently is?

On the plus side he knows where the net is. Which is our real problem

Oxlade chamberlain??

Internet Maybe?

[iwasthere2012]

So what happens when a couple of them are injured/suspended? When all three are injured/suspended? Do we have any promising youths that we could call upon?

Those questions have such obvious answers as to be not worth asking.

I'm glad you asked that JL.
Apart from the obvious answers, I would love to here from the likes of Doug or maybe WW or any other match attendees, what their views on this are.
I'm not interested in a debate over whether we think Pep will play any or not.
What I'm particularly interested in is an honest assessment of what we have produced in this department, through the academy i the last few years.

I love watching the youth games and admire the principles we employ in schooling a way of playing, but I have been critical to a point,
over the lack of game management, risk assessment and ability to protect a win that I have quite often witnessed.
I would love the likes of Angelino and Maffeo to be the answer, but if we are being honest do they have what it takes to win at this level.
It's an honest question.
I have to say the defence is the one department where I see the same stupid mistakes happening that happened last year in our first team defence.
I would love to see that coached out of our academy and then possibly we would have a more robust youngster being produced, ready to enter the fray earlier.

[Moonchesteri]

part I don't get is why 3 out of of 4 of these FBs (if we get Bertrand) are basically the same age, 26/27. that means we'll need to replace the lot at the same time in 4-5 yrs. again. and we'll get fucked on fees. again.

Mendy 23 (1994)
Walker 27 (1990)
Danilo 26 (1991)

Not too bad imo. But we need to be smarter next time this was ridiculously bad how this was handled

Does anyone else think these will be our three defenders and Mangala will stay as both CB and LB backup?

[johnny crossan]

So what happens when a couple of them are injured/suspended? When all three are injured/suspended? Do we have any promising youths that we could call upon?

Those questions have such obvious answers as to be not worth asking.

I'm glad you asked that JL.
Apart from the obvious answers, I would love to here from the likes of Doug or maybe WW or any other match attendees, what their views on this are.
I'm not interested in a debate over whether we think Pep will play any or not.
What I'm particularly interested in is an honest assessment of what we have produced in this department, through the academy i the last few years.

I love watching the youth games and admire the principles we employ in schooling a way of playing, but I have been critical to a point,
over the lack of game management, risk assessment and ability to protect a win that I have quite often witnessed.
I would love the likes of Angelino and Maffeo to be the answer, but if we are being honest do they have what it takes to win at this level.
It's an honest question.
I have to say the defence is the one department where I see the same stupid mistakes happening that happened last year in our first team defence.
I would love to see that coached out of our academy and then possibly we would have a more robust youngster being produced, ready to enter the fray earlier.

You might try reading the EDS/Academy thread to see what those chaps and quite a few other match attenders think, the whole subject of likely progression is extensively discussed there and elsewhere on specific youth players.

[john@staustell]

part I don't get is why 3 out of of 4 of these FBs (if we get Bertrand) are basically the same age, 26/27. that means we'll need to replace the lot at the same time in 4-5 yrs. again. and we'll get fucked on fees. again.

Mendy 23 (1994)
Walker 27 (1990)
Danilo 26 (1991)

Not too bad imo. But we need to be smarter next time this was ridiculously bad how this was handled

Does anyone else think these will be our three defenders and Mangala will stay as both CB and LB backup?

Mangala is a fantastic man marker. But as a man in possession - an offensive player - he is fairly hopeless to be honest. Absolutely not a 'Pep player'.

[phips]

roughly £120M spent on fullbacks this window.
although, he hadn't spent money on one since 2012. so thats 5 windows which is roughly 24M per window on fullbacks--doesnt sound as bad.

[iwasthere2012]

So what happens when a couple of them are injured/suspended? When all three are injured/suspended? Do we have any promising youths that we could call upon?

Those questions have such obvious answers as to be not worth asking.

I'm glad you asked that JL.
Apart from the obvious answers, I would love to here from the likes of Doug or maybe WW or any other match attendees, what their views on this are.
I'm not interested in a debate over whether we think Pep will play any or not.
What I'm particularly interested in is an honest assessment of what we have produced in this department, through the academy i the last few years.

I love watching the youth games and admire the principles we employ in schooling a way of playing, but I have been critical to a point,
over the lack of game management, risk assessment and ability to protect a win that I have quite often witnessed.
I would love the likes of Angelino and Maffeo to be the answer, but if we are being honest do they have what it takes to win at this level.
It's an honest question.
I have to say the defence is the one department where I see the same stupid mistakes happening that happened last year in our first team defence.
I would love to see that coached out of our academy and then possibly we would have a more robust youngster being produced, ready to enter the fray earlier.

You might try reading the EDS/Academy thread to see what those chaps and quite a few other match attenders think, the whole subject of likely progression is extensively discussed there and elsewhere on specific youth players.

One of my favourite threads Johnny.
I don't see what you have against discussing it here as the subject is simply 'Full Backs'

In essence I'm asking not about the individuals but the system.
Do those best placed/informed think we will ever produce what is necessary for the PL under the current academy system.

I read somewhere that Pep himself alluded to the fact that the winning mentality will have to be bred into the youth.
I took it to mean that a little more cynicism may be required in achieving our goals. I saw this in evidence mostly in our defensive play,
teaching players to play out from the back regardless of the pressure. It's all well and good but it also has the negative affect of our defence having in the back
of their minds that giving a goal away is not the end of the world. It's all part of the learning curve and all that.

Just my opinion and it's not only the defence. For all the flare on show in the U16's, quite often I saw the same lack of cover from the midfield being shown to the defence, with the same inevitable chaos ensuing between CB's and FB's.

In short I think we are producing excellent footballers but worry that our academic system is also breeding the same flaws that we give out about in our first team.

If this is the case, when will we ever see anyone come through.
I think it would be especially difficult for our academy defenders.

[sheblue]

Wouldn't be surprised if pep wanted another left back to compete / provide back up / be an alternative to Mendy.

[nottsblue]

So what happens when a couple of them are injured/suspended? When all three are injured/suspended? Do we have any promising youths that we could call upon?

Those questions have such obvious answers as to be not worth asking.

I'm glad you asked that JL.
Apart from the obvious answers, I would love to here from the likes of Doug or maybe WW or any other match attendees, what their views on this are.
I'm not interested in a debate over whether we think Pep will play any or not.
What I'm particularly interested in is an honest assessment of what we have produced in this department, through the academy i the last few years.

I love watching the youth games and admire the principles we employ in schooling a way of playing, but I have been critical to a point,
over the lack of game management, risk assessment and ability to protect a win that I have quite often witnessed.
I would love the likes of Angelino and Maffeo to be the answer, but if we are being honest do they have what it takes to win at this level.
It's an honest question.
I have to say the defence is the one department where I see the same stupid mistakes happening that happened last year in our first team defence.
I would love to see that coached out of our academy and then possibly we would have a more robust youngster being produced, ready to enter the fray earlier.

You might try reading the EDS/Academy thread to see what those chaps and quite a few other match attenders think, the whole subject of likely progression is extensively discussed there and elsewhere on specific youth players.

One of my favourite threads Johnny.
I don't see what you have against discussing it here as the subject is simply 'Full Backs'

In essence I'm asking not about the individuals but the system.
Do those best placed/informed think we will ever produce what is necessary for the PL under the current academy system.

I read somewhere that Pep himself alluded to the fact that the winning mentality will have to be bred into the youth.
I took it to mean that a little more cynicism may be required in achieving our goals. I saw this in evidence mostly in our defensive play,
teaching players to play out from the back regardless of the pressure. It's all well and good but it also has the negative affect of our defence having in the back
of their minds that giving a goal away is not the end of the world. It's all part of the learning curve and all that.

Just my opinion and it's not only the defence. For all the flare on show in the U16's, quite often I saw the same lack of cover from the midfield being shown to the defence, with the same inevitable chaos ensuing between CB's and FB's.

In short I think we are producing excellent footballers but worry that our academic system is also breeding the same flaws that we give out about in our first team.

If this is the case, when will we ever see anyone come through.
I think it would be especially difficult for our academy defenders.

Excellent post IWT and it echoes many of my own thoughts. At all levels in the academy a lot of the reports are that we are miles better technically than most of the opposition but are a bit smaller and not as well built and not as strong. Thus although we dominate large parts of a match we don't often get what we think we deserve. Of course this isn't helped by the fact sometimes our under 18s has a lot of younger players in or our EDS team has a lot of under 18s in. We all laugh when the rags EDS team clog their way through a game and fill their side with over age players in order to try to win. But more often than not, they do win and winning is a habit.

Our academy is chock full of talented, skillfull players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

[Moonchesteri]

roughly £120M spent on fullbacks this window.
although, he hadn't spent money on one since 2012. so thats 5 windows which is roughly 24M per window on fullbacks--doesnt sound as bad.

I like the twist you've put on this man.
But 24mil Every season on a fullback? If rags did that I'd make fun of them for it.

Let's face it txixi has some explaining to do. We 100% paid extra because everyone knows we ran out of fullbacks

[johnny crossan]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

Charlie oliver, good lad though he is , never gave me any cause for hope. Center half rather than full back anyway.
Duhaney might be a possible for full back as he is quick enough and decent going forward and defending. really needs to get better than decent of course.

Joel Lattibeaudierre, center half , might be a possible in a few years time.

[iwasthere2012]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

Charlie oliver, good lad though he is , never gave me any cause for hope. Center half rather than full back anyway.
Duhaney might be a possible for full back as he is quick enough and decent going forward and defending. really needs to get better than decent of course.

Joel Lattibeaudierre, center half , might be a possible in a few years time.

I like what I've seen of the two you mention Doug but what do you think of my overall premise.
I personally would like to see some tweaking to the overall system. I appreciate we are teaching these kids how to play football our way, but as we've seen from the first team it takes most senior players time to adjust also.
I just feel if we are going to expect s conveyor belt of talent to slot seemlessly into a senior squad then they are going to have to be taught how to win anc that means eliminating the silly errors at a very early age.

Tweaking, not a radical change of philosophy.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Obviously its a balance to achieve the top quality of play and the winning attitude mentality. Personally I would say we are going about it the right way from watching the 18's especially and the fact that they went so long without losing a game last season is testament to that.

Nobody can tell me that a player like Matt Smith who had a fantastic season, isnt out there first and foremost to win games. He has an unbelievable attitude in whatever position he plays too and he played in numerous. And he isn't alone in that.

It might be a bit different into the EDS but maybe its not really down to the players so much although I can think of one or two who maybe don't play with a win at all costs mentality. The line up will change significantly, formations might as well and some players who know they wont be with City long term are given games.

[Wonderwall]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

Charlie oliver, good lad though he is , never gave me any cause for hope. Center half rather than full back anyway.
Duhaney might be a possible for full back as he is quick enough and decent going forward and defending. really needs to get better than decent of course.

Joel Lattibeaudierre, center half , might be a possible in a few years time.

Looks like Pep is thinking something similar as he has flown out Labeautidiere and Duhaney

Labeautidiere plays CB/LB
Duhaney both RB/LB

Looks like they're testing them out as backups.

[Nigels Tackle]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

Charlie oliver, good lad though he is , never gave me any cause for hope. Center half rather than full back anyway.
Duhaney might be a possible for full back as he is quick enough and decent going forward and defending. really needs to get better than decent of course.

Joel Lattibeaudierre, center half , might be a possible in a few years time.

Looks like Pep is thinking something similar as he has flown out Labeautidiere and Duhaney

Labeautidiere plays CB/LB
Duhaney both RB/LB

Looks like they're testing them out as backups.

how much would that cost on the back of shirt? would it even fit?!

[Dubciteh]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

Charlie oliver, good lad though he is , never gave me any cause for hope. Center half rather than full back anyway.
Duhaney might be a possible for full back as he is quick enough and decent going forward and defending. really needs to get better than decent of course.

Joel Lattibeaudierre, center half , might be a possible in a few years time.

Looks like Pep is thinking something similar as he has flown out Labeautidiere and Duhaney

Labeautidiere plays CB/LB
Duhaney both RB/LB

Looks like they're testing them out as backups.

how much would that cost on the back of shirt? would it even fit?!

I had wright phillips back in the day, anything compared to that is cheap!

[Mikhail Chigorin]

...Our academy is chock full of talented, skilful players who will make it in the world of football. But we need more of them to have the steel required as well to put in the graft and hard yards to make it with us.

Absolutely right nb, but the bald truth is that Maffeo and Angelino, the next off the EDS conveyer belt, are both highly unlikely to be able to step up to Pep's level. After those two, none of the full/wing backs really stand out yet in our very successful youth teams although Charlie Oliver raised hopes for a while. Let's hope a couple emerge and kick on. DH may well disagree and I would of course defer instantly to his judgement as our expert in these matters.

Charlie oliver, good lad though he is , never gave me any cause for hope. Center half rather than full back anyway.
Duhaney might be a possible for full back as he is quick enough and decent going forward and defending. really needs to get better than decent of course.

Joel Lattibeaudierre, center half , might be a possible in a few years time.

Looks like Pep is thinking something similar as he has flown out Labeautidiere and Duhaney

Labeautidiere plays CB/LB
Duhaney both RB/LB

Looks like they're testing them out as backups.

how much would that cost on the back of shirt? would it even fit?!

It could be shortened to 'LB' and it would be quite appropriate if he was used at left back, although if he was played at centre back, I don't suppose it would confuse the opposition very much, unless it happened to be the Scum, because they're always confused.

I suppose his 'nom de guerre' could also default, Brazilian style, to 'Joel'.