***Official City v chelsea FA Youth Cup final thread***

[Nigels Tackle]

Angelino's crosses are excellent

Yep. Disappointed with Barker tonight though. Been on the periphery and he really ought to be doing more with his talent.

sadly i don't think he has 'it'
5th or 6th full game i've watched him play (on tv) and not seen anything special from him
in fact the only special thing he has is his lego hairstyle. wtf is all that about?

[freshie]

Maffeo, Angelino, Iheanacho and Adarobioyo definitely look like they could make it to the first team.

[twosips]

Having seen him closer to fifteen to twenty times in person and on tele I do think he has it actually. I just think he needs to learn how to influence games when his team is not necessarily dominating.

Tell you who definitely does - Maffeo and adarabioyo. Both have been strong, great on the ball and incredibly measured. Adarabioyo in particular has won everything near him. Humphries too - goals were defensive errors by others.

[everyonehatesus]

Seemingly passing isn't our strong point

[dick dastardley]

Hopefully this will be a learning curve for these lads, and will make them mentally stronger, fair play to Chelsea, a lot stronger than us

[Beefymcfc]

Didn't look like a team tonight and got dispossessed so many times due to lack of communication. It's an experience though which they'll learn from.

Onwards and upwards.

[iwasthere2012]

Angelino's crosses are excellent

Yep. Disappointed with Barker tonight though. Been on the periphery and he really ought to be doing more with his talent.

sadly i don't think he has 'it'
5th or 6th full game i've watched him play (on tv) and not seen anything special from him
in fact the only special thing he has is his lego hairstyle. wtf is all that about?

I think it's quite possible he does have what it takes. I'm more disappointed or worried about the over running of the ball by the whole team. The consistent over playing where they shouldn't. Getting themselves into trouble as a result. Chelsea do not take chances in stupid areas of the pitch. It is far more professional an approach. We take chances everywhere and get caught out.
Yrs they are instructed to play that way and yes it's all a learning curve, but i don't see the sense in learning bad habits.
There is no doubting we have talent, but I think a professional game management is part of their development too. The need to learn how to win also. It's not the be all and end all, but our coaching should include a bit more at that age.
If 3-4 or more make it into the first squad, I won't lose any sleep about not winning an U18 cup, but they need not bring sloppiness with them as a City trait.
All in all I enjoyed that. We have talent. I would hope we coach more than tikka takka though.

[Ted Hughes]

City are way better at passing than Chelsea in actual fact, & have been when they have played v most of these players previously, which makes these games even more frustrating to watch.

Barker wasn't at his best but he put an absolutely excellent shift in. If Ambrose & Boadu were playing, Chelsea couldn't line up two or three players between him & the box, as they did on both legs. Ambrose has the measure of these defenders & they need two on him as well.

Angelino & Maffeo put in great effort right to the death but even their passing was way below par. Kean Bryan some great defending but again poor passing & some poor first touches.

But for all the strength tactics mistakes whatever, swap the keepers & City win both legs. I'm not sure I've ever seen that kid make a proper difficult save of any kind.

[Sparklehorse]

Based on what I've seen in the last two games I'd say Humphreys, Ade, Barker and Iheanacho are the only ones anywhere near the required standard to have first team action next season. The others have promise but have lots of improvement to make. Chelsea are a very good side and at no point did I ever think we any chance of winning this cup. We played nice football at times but not consistently enough. Never mind, I have to say though I've enjoyed this tie as much as any of the first team efforts this season. Onwards and upwards.

[Ted Hughes]

Angelino's crosses are excellent

Yep. Disappointed with Barker tonight though. Been on the periphery and he really ought to be doing more with his talent.

sadly i don't think he has 'it'
5th or 6th full game i've watched him play (on tv) and not seen anything special from him
in fact the only special thing he has is his lego hairstyle. wtf is all that about?

I think it's quite possible he does have what it takes. I'm more disappointed or worried about the over running of the ball by the whole team. The consistent over playing where they shouldn't. Getting themselves into trouble as a result. Chelsea do not take chances in stupid areas of the pitch. It is far more professional an approach. We take chances everywhere and get caught out.
Yrs they are instructed to play that way and yes it's all a learning curve, but i don't see the sense in learning bad habits.
There is no doubting we have talent, but I think a professional game management is part of their development too. The need to learn how to win also. It's not the be all and end all, but our coaching should include a bit more at that age.
If 3-4 or more make it into the first squad, I won't lose any sleep about not winning an U18 cup, but they need not bring sloppiness with them as a City trait.
All in all I enjoyed that. We have talent. I would hope we coach more than tikka takka though.

It isn't a bad habit, it is a good habit they are working on.

With respect, I wish people would put more thought into this kind of comment. This is exactly the kind of thinking which makes our teams inferior. Something is difficult to do, so instead of trying to learn it, fuck it off & whack it just like everyone else can do or we might lose.

If we are so shit at it, how did we get to the final in the first place & the U19s win our group in the Champions League & the U13s win the Premier International trophy, the U14s win their league for the 3rd season in a row, the U15s win the tournament beating Barca in the final, the U21s in the last stages of the Premier International cup ?

We are primarily doing this to develop players & teach them how to play a high level of football. It just also happens that we keep winning titles at the same time.

Do you think Barca will be changing their style because City beat them at U15s level ?

[kinkylola]

something they glossed over early in the second half, is that half those chelsea players also play for the U-21's ... they're physique is fairly developed, relatively. Physically, our team was much smaller and coping with that while having an off day was always going to hard.

You'll see a massive difference when our kids start to fill out, and get another year or two of proper weight training under their belts.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

It's very frustrating as Celina & Kean Bryan in particular are so far below their usual level in possession. With the height & strength advantage Chelsea have & our beyond useless goalkeeper, we need everyone on it.

We are better than these by enough to change that scoreline round. What a pity Kelechi has had so little football.

Also though once again it so much of a gaping hole left by Boadu & Ambrose. They would rip the shit out of these.

Not impressed with Celina in either leg. If Bryan was far below his level tonight then he's nailed on to become a pro. Really impressed with what he does and thought he had a good game tonight, for the most part.

[30yeargloryhunter]

Really enjoyed the game. Made a change form the, at times, metronomic passing patterns of the first team. I thought centre backs were composed and some great skill. We conceded at terrible times in both legs killing impetus in the tie. Thought forward we were good at the back at times showed good quality but in the middle lacking. The amount of ball we gave away in the centre was poor. Didn't think Celina was at it and though Bryan looked like he would be player who would not quite make it at our level. Barker had some fantastic touches but doubled up on.... Wouldn't happen when first went into the Prem so would be interesting to see. Anyway, forgot game was on and what better flicking through channels and finding a City game!!

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Our keeper really does have the hart syndrome shit distribution and passing

To be fair, his distribution is still better than Hart and he fucks up because he tries fancy little passes a lot of the time. Given time he may well get those right.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Maffeo, Angelino, Iheanacho and Adarobioyo definitely look like they could make it to the first team.

Ian certainly will. My money's on Bryan, too. And both full-backs have a chance.

[Ted Hughes]

something they glossed over early in the second half, is that half those chelsea players also play for the U-21's ... they're physique is fairly developed, relatively. Physically, our team was much smaller and coping with that while having an off day was always going to hard.

You'll see a massive difference when our kids start to fill out, and get another year or two of proper weight training under their belts.

So do several of ours tbf, but Chelsea are a big physical side whatever the age.

We already have that to some extent ourselves though, but our two strongest physical attacking players were missing. Ambrose bounces these Chelsea players around no problem at all & Boaudu is as strong as an ox at that level. Both are really fit & fast & a nightmare for defenders on the ball.

With those in the team, a lot of the game would be played in Chelsea's half.

We are very unlucky with the timing of this, & the season as a whole, as these games are costing us at league level.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Really enjoyed the game (both teams) and was really happy to see us stick to our principles for the whole game. We've got some good footballers that I hope get a chance to get in the first-team squad in the near future.

[iwasthere2012]

Angelino's crosses are excellent

Yep. Disappointed with Barker tonight though. Been on the periphery and he really ought to be doing more with his talent.

sadly i don't think he has 'it'
5th or 6th full game i've watched him play (on tv) and not seen anything special from him
in fact the only special thing he has is his lego hairstyle. wtf is all that about?

I think it's quite possible he does have what it takes. I'm more disappointed or worried about the over running of the ball by the whole team. The consistent over playing where they shouldn't. Getting themselves into trouble as a result. Chelsea do not take chances in stupid areas of the pitch. It is far more professional an approach. We take chances everywhere and get caught out.
Yrs they are instructed to play that way and yes it's all a learning curve, but i don't see the sense in learning bad habits.
There is no doubting we have talent, but I think a professional game management is part of their development too. The need to learn how to win also. It's not the be all and end all, but our coaching should include a bit more at that age.
If 3-4 or more make it into the first squad, I won't lose any sleep about not winning an U18 cup, but they need not bring sloppiness with them as a City trait.
All in all I enjoyed that. We have talent. I would hope we coach more than tikka takka though.

It isn't a bad habit, it is a good habit they are working on.

With respect, I wish people would put more thought into this kind of comment. This is exactly the kind of thinking which makes our teams inferior. Something is difficult to do, so instead of trying to learn it, fuck it off & whack it just like everyone else can do or we might lose.

If we are so shit at it, how did we get to the final in the first place & the U19s win our group in the Champions League & the U13s win the Premier International trophy, the U14s win their league for the 3rd season in a row, the U15s win the tournament beating Barca in the final, the U21s in the last stages of the Premier International cup ?

We are primarily doing this to develop players & teach them how to play a high level of football. It just also happens that we keep winning titles at the same time.

Do you think Barca will be changing their style because City beat them at U15s level ?

Ted you see far more of the academy lads than I do and I certainly won't get into an argument with you about who will make it and who won't and who is ready and who is not, but I think you are misreading my efforts if you think, I've described us as shit or inferior. Far from it. I see how they are being coached and they are admirably sticking to it. I have no trouble with the U12s U14s and U16s playing this either. What I am a bit worried about is that at U18 U19 level there should be a thought given by the coaching staff towards achieving the same level of game management skills that Chelsea teams possess. That has nothing to do with the size or physique of their players. They played like you would expect a Chelsea team to play. They make correct decisions about when to try and play and when to move it quickly. If we want to get youngsters of 19 ready for a first team spot, well I'm sorry but they'd be destroyed trying to play like that in the premiership.
I may have called it sloppiness, but I'm more concerned really about the number of times we would do all the correct stuff in winning the ball back brilliantly only to run the ball into a blind alley to be dispossessed.
These guys have the talent. I believe several of them do, but I fear that if we are going to stick to playing to the principles we have displayed (or at least what I have seen) then I'm not so sure we won't be waiting until the U14s or U16s perfect it. Like I said during the match, it will be beautiful to watch when we do get it right, but I think our coaching should include more by the age of 18's and 19's, to prepare them.
I'm not having a go at our youngsters. I'm just not sure the current 18s are prepared for the Prem.
I would of course love to see some get the chance.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Out tonight but just watched the game. Sort of pleased and disappointed at the same time. Especially pleased to see Iheanacho playing but my word you could see how rusty he was. Not really up with the pace of the game for a lot of things that went on but did show some quality on the few occasions he got involved. I still think the lad has it and will be first team next year and just pray he gets no more injuries.Not great as a defender at set pieces though was he?

As for the rest I saw some real quality out there. I thought Bryan and Wood did a great job in the holding midfield roles but not so great with the passing when on the ball.Celina for me was the biggest disappointment. He just seemed to want a fraction too long and when Chelsea were really at it they largely shut him out.I thought he got better as the game went on but on the showings of this 2 legged final he has a long way to go despite a lot of talent. Boadu instead of him in the 2 games and we have a major difference.And how did he not kick that header off the line when they scored the first goal.

Maffeo was mostly very good as a defender and then showed up very well attacking as well. How sweet was that cross for Iheanacho.I wish Navas could cross like that. I was a tad worried he was forward so much in the 2nd half and seemed to have given up trying to get back.Surely not doing a Micah!

Angelino also got better as he got forward more but showed a little frailty in the defensive parts of the game at times. I thought our two center backs were largely excellent. Bodes well for Humphries as he is 16 but Tosin is looking the business.Those long legs really do help a lot. Maybe a loan year for him next season. He can go to Celtic as we take Denayer back.

Barker! Not bad at all even if we maybe want him more involved.I think he started slowly and may even have been a little overawed at times but he worked very hard and if you think back he made a few great runs and was very close to setting a goal up.He's getting there.Nemane also worked hard but it didn't quite happen for him tonight.

As for the keeper I am not so anti him as Ted seems but I do agree I haven't seen anything special from him although I do think City rate him highly. Also he is only 16 isn't he.

Overall not discouraged as Chelsea are top notch and we were not as far behind as the commentator would have you think.

[Ted Hughes]

Ted you see far more of the academy lads than I do and I certainly won't get into an argument with you about who will make it and who won't and who is ready and who is not, but I think you are misreading my efforts if you think, I've described us as shit or inferior. Far from it. I see how they are being coached and they are admirably sticking to it. I have no trouble with the U12s U14s and U16s playing this either. What I am a bit worried about is that at U18 U19 level there should be a thought given by the coaching staff towards achieving the same level of game management skills that Chelsea teams possess. That has nothing to do with the size or physique of their players. They played like you would expect a Chelsea team to play. They make correct decisions about when to try and play and when to move it quickly. If we want to get youngsters of 19 ready for a first team spot, well I'm sorry but they'd be destroyed trying to play like that in the premiership.
I may have called it sloppiness, but I'm more concerned really about the number of times we would do all the correct stuff in winning the ball back brilliantly only to run the ball into a blind alley to be dispossessed.
These guys have the talent. I believe several of them do, but I fear that if we are going to stick to playing to the principles we have displayed (or at least what I have seen) then I'm not so sure we won't be waiting until the U14s or U16s perfect it. Like I said during the match, it will be beautiful to watch when we do get it right, but I think our coaching should include more by the age of 18's and 19's, to prepare them.
I'm not having a go at our youngsters. I'm just not sure the current 18s are prepared for the Prem.
I would of course love to see some get the chance.

The whole idea is that they don't run down blind alleys or give the ball away, or that the keeper doesn't kick the ball straight to the opposition. They played below their usual level in that aspect in both legs.

Chelsea are a well organised team with some good players. Buf take their best two attacking pkayers out, & put Ambrose & Boadu in our team & Chelsea wouldn't get a kick, never mind 'game management'.
With those two in our team, Chelsea would struggle to get the ball out of their own half.