EDS/Academy Games

[twosips]

Spoke to a couple of fulham fan's about Fofana's impact this season at Craven Cottage for my blog btw - If anyone fancies a gander pop on over...

http://inesteemedkompany.blogspot.co.uk ... eview.html

[Bluedj]

Any Joans, for tonights game chaps?

[Bluedj]

City team: Gunn, Maffeo, Evans, Plummer, Angelino, Glendon (C), Intima, Ntcham, Iheanacho, Byrne, Pozo Subs: Smith-Brown, O'Brien, Bryan, Horsfield, Garcia, Barker, Nemane

[Bluedj]

Goal City!Kelechi Iheanacho takes advantage of a horrible backpass from Igor Osorio, rounds the keeper and pokes home.

[ruralblue]

Goal City!Kelechi Iheanacho takes advantage of a horrible backpass from Igor Osorio, rounds the keeper and pokes home.

Where you got a joan?

[Bluedj]

No Joan RB, just an update on MEN

[Nigels Tackle]

Spoke to a couple of fulham fan's about Fofana's impact this season at Craven Cottage for my blog btw - If anyone fancies a gander pop on over...

http://inesteemedkompany.blogspot.co.uk ... eview.html

he hasn't got 'it' from what i have seen

[Bluedj]

half-time. City just about managed to keep Porto out, but there's some desperate stuff! Ellis Plummer takes a whack to the face to keep out one effort while Gunn has to be alert to go down late on. Still, an excellent half of football! 1-0

[twosips]

Not our finest performance. Not even close...but we won. Fucking delighted for em. This group of players deserved something this season for their play, persistence and efforts. Porto were better, quicker and (apparently) a lot more experienced. They should have got something from this as they squandered several chances but I thought showed exceptional character to battle to the final whistle and hold on to the early lead. Even our goal was in good fortune, their centre back had a mare. Short backpass, with Kelechi picking it up and calmly rounding the keeper. We did a Chelsea basically. Fuck it...sometimes you have to do that.

Weather was atrocious. Proper miserable night - we couldn't keep hold of the ball at all and played pretty poorly, despite some nice link up play between Kelechi and Pozo at times. Pozo our brightest spark in that first half I thought, running between the lines and turning at the defence. Nice to see that potential return of his old form might not be a flash in the pan. It barely happened all night though for us, despite Pozo's efforts, though we did have a brief 5-10 minute spell of pressure in the second half when Barker and Bryan were introduced for the isolated Iheanacho (he really isn't a left winger, no idea why Vieira persisted with him out there and left the equally confused Pozo up top - switch em! Both players would prefer it!) and tiring Glendon. That turned the tide a little but it was quickly reset and the normal routine of the ball being played long to Pozo, him struggling to hold up as he's not a centre forward, Porto recycling possession and attacking us quickly returned.

Gunn was class. It's easy to overlook how good he actually is given how many talented players we have in our side, but he's arguably as big a prospect as any of them. I'd argue better than Hart was at his age, much better 'footballer' too. Commanding (6'5 - huge), technical, catches the ball instead of punching it and he's supremely confident. There is NOTHING I could ask him to do any differently. He's a product of a post-Neuer world and has that same nonchalant aura that exudes from Courtois. If he's not number 2 next season he should be out on loan. England number one eventually. Guaranteed.

Evans had a stinker, but i was surprisingly impressed by Plummer. He was solid and did a passable Lescott impression - there might be a decent career for him somewhere after all. You could definitely tell he'd played pro football already (loan to St. Mirren) as he wasn't fazed by the late onslaught at all. Maffeo was, as ever, and i'm getting bored of saying this, excellent. Okay, there was once where a perfect long ball caught him out, but it happens. No one is infallible and he had to defend excellently in awful conditions all night. Angelino was his usual bundle of effervescent energy and Glendon and Byrne scurried about trying what they could. I'd say Byrne perhaps the better, but neither were great technically on the night but worked hard. Ntcham was disappointing I thought. Ran into people and gave the ball away. Intima was a decent outlet, but had slight Navas syndrome, hitting his first man at times. He did whip in a couple of nice crosses though with no one there.

Overall it wasn't a skilful performance, far from it. It was one of grit, determination and endeavour. Games like this are invaluable. They looked absolutely delighted to win this, and so they should be. Things like this will build character and they'll be better players for it. There's no shame in not winning gloriously sometimes - they didn't park the bus. They just fucking worked hard.

Gotta say too, the atmosphere shat all over the Etihad's atmosphere from a great, great height. Ground was buzzing, noisy and vibrant, despite being about a third full. There was about 50 fans that sang and jumped about the whole game doing a more than passable impression of the dortmund fans.

[Wonderwall]

Cheers twosips. I will post my thoughts tomorrow as i am out. great win

[Bluedj]

Great report TS (again) I didn't post anymore as awaiting your fantastic match overview

Well done our young lads

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Wow. Seen them play so much better than tonight but they won. Brilliant for them and well deserved for all they have done this season entertain and win games. I do wonder how they won though as Porto just seemed a level above them for so much of the game.

They moved the ball very well, good movement off the ball and if City had as much of the ball as they did with all the chances and didn't win there would be something seriously amiss. But they didn't have Angus Gunn and we did and that a real plus. AsTS says the lad is destined for the top and City have to get his development spot on or we could lose him.

It's probably best he has a year on loan as Joe did at a good championship side but he is a really top keeper and Joe will have to be brilliant to keep him out. He has to play top flight football in the not too distant future.

Back to the game though and what a battle.Great resilience shown by them all and I would agree that Plummer was excellent. Never all that comfortable on the ball as Vieira looks for the ball to be passed around but his passing stats would I am sure look good with so many completed passes back to Gunn!

There were times in the first half after the goal where we just couldnt hold onto the ball and Porto just kept coming and coming.It seemed Ntcham and Byrne were just a little too high up the pitch for me but we kept them out and although Gunn was excellent he wasn't that seriously tested in the first half.

Iheanacho didn't really do much but scored the winner which is a great habit to have. But when on the left wing ( really crazy to have him there I agree) he was working back doing the dirty part of the job.

It did swing our way for a spell in the 2nd half when Barker and Bryan came on.It's as if it lifted the team just to have Barker on. Angelino started to become a threat down the left as well with the confidence of how well they work together but it actually came to nothing as the Porto full back handled him quite well when he tried to get past him. The extra strength helped..

Anyway great result and they really enjoyed the celebrations as did the crowd. The same result against the scums first teamers and a few under 21's would be nice next Tuesday.

[Ted Hughes]

I agree with pretty much every detail of Twosips & Doug's reports, & we do absolutely deserve a trophy, which they all grafted their bollocks off for, tonight. But tonight imo, Porto must be gutted because they were basically us, & we were Utd. We had a couple of breakaways, which could easily have ended up with us scoring two or three, & that would have been 100% Utd.

We were utterly outclassed in almost every area by a side which, if they could hit a bull's arse with a banjo, would be the best side I have seen at that level. But as usual, in most positions, they looked 'older'. They may not be, but they looked like proper blokes.

I agree Plummer did a very good job as a defender, but he & George Evans also contributed to a total breakdown of City's playing style by being truly awful on the ball. Which I'm very surprised at Evans.

But to take that a step further, Glendon, Byrne , Ntcham, who imo should all have been making themselves available to help out, were fucking useless, & if they occasionally did get into a space for a pass, had no idea what was behind them, & passed it back even when they didn't need to.

This imo is an absolute decomposition of everything these players have learned to do. Byrne used to have eyes in the back of his head & a picture of the positions of everyone, like Ali Benarbia or a Barca player. He has totally lost it, so it seems. A great pity.

One other point; Kelechi on the whole was pretty shit imo. But he's really got some serious talent & also has the knack of scoring. He is special but not match fit. Vieira ( & possibly the Count/Tiki) pushed him tonight & he couldn't quute do it but he absolutely tried his hardest, as they all did. He is currently shit at holding the ball up, but you could never back against him scoring at any time. Imo if he is physically ready though, so is Ambrose, Boadu etc.

I think some of the shit play tonight may have been down to nerves, & the fact we had no trophy plus the Count, Txiki, Vinny etc being in the crowd, but imo we will be lucky if more than Maffeo Gunn, Angelino & Iheanacho get through at any serious level from that group who started.

[twosips]

Apparently Porto's team play at b-level in Portugal in the second tier. That will make a fucking huge difference.

Agree about Byrne. I don't quite know where his vision has gone. It's there sporadically at the moment. He came on the other day at half-time and changed the game around for the EDS, he was great, but he's not done it from a starting position for a while. I'm quickly going off Ntcham, especially knowing what I know of the younger lads in Boadu and Garcia etc and I think Glendon's game is far too limited.

I thought Kelechi played some nice one-twos while up top, but ended up naff while stationed out on the left-wing. Perhaps struggled with the team, set-up and match fitness. He'd shine in a better, more confident eleven I reckon.

[Ted Hughes]

Just to add; I think.some of the younger players are really struggling physically now, as they havd had one hell of a season playing in 4 competitions, but their attitude is fantastic. There was a moment tonight when Maffeo actually caved in; he just could not run anymore. His legs just went, lije a marothon runnerm Then two minutes later, he was giving it full on again.

These lads have worked their balls off or this & I'm so happy for them. You could see how much it meant to everybody.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Just to add; I think.some of the younger players are really struggling physically now, as they havd had one hell of a season playing in 4 competitions, but their attitude is fantastic. There was a moment tonight when Maffeo actually caved in; he just could not run anymore. His legs just went, lije a marothon runnerm Then two minutes later, he was giving it full on again.

These lads have worked their balls off or this & I'm so happy for them. You could see how much it meant to everybody.

I remember that moment and you are right. Some of it I reckon is also mental fatigue which I think is the case for Barker as much as physical. Loads of games in all sorts of competitions and most of the time big testing games as well.

[Ted Hughes]

Just to add; I think.some of the younger players are really struggling physically now, as they havd had one hell of a season playing in 4 competitions, but their attitude is fantastic. There was a moment tonight when Maffeo actually caved in; he just could not run anymore. His legs just went, lije a marothon runnerm Then two minutes later, he was giving it full on again.

These lads have worked their balls off or this & I'm so happy for them. You could see how much it meant to everybody.

I remember that moment and you are right. Some of it I reckon is also mental fatigue which I think is the case for Barker as much as physical. Loads of games in all sorts of competitions and most of the time big testing games as well.

Yes I'm sure there is the mental side of things. Tbh this fatigue has to be a good thing in a way though. Many people including myself have moaned about the lack of preparation for real football, but I don't think we could complain about the lack of intensity these lads have faced recently. It mirrors a PL/Cup/Europe campaign.

We could see how advanced Porto were as a team, from playing together as U21s in a B team in a proper football league, much much slicker than us, but in the end, who won ? And how much of a problem would they have caused Denayer & Rekik ?

Signs are 'we' are getting there, as a country, not just City, imo so if we can just keep wankers like Dyke, Wilkinson, Ferdinand & Mills out, soon the academy system may start to finally produce players.

[Wonderwall]

Back to the game the other night, it was a great game to watch, it was classy and full of youthful energy, I really enjoyed it.

I thought Porto were excellent and didnt deserve to lose, however, it was good to see our lads dig in and Angus Gunn didn't have a great deal to do in reality.

I thought it was a very strange decision to switch Pozo and Kelechi after 10 minutes, he really doesn't suit the wide role IMO. This playing out from the back, no matter what really irritates me, I saw Vieira bollocking Gunn again for going long when there was no other choice, it is shocking to see him give him grief for making a decision to go safe rather than put his side in danger. Following that, we were all over the place at the back and IMO it was PaddyV's fault, we gave Porto the impetus and they knew it, they pressed us high knowing that Gunn has to play it short. Fucking stupid, they should allow Gunn to make his own decision but making sure to go short if there is an option.

I am glad it didn't go to Extra time as out lads were out on their feet, Pozo ran his socks off and tried his heart out, however he cannot play with his back to goal, another strange paddyV decision?? Why take Kelechi off on the hour?

I thought the subs that came on certainly steadied us, Barker wasn't his usual graceful self but did put them on the back foot. Bryan IMO was a great sub, he looked assured and commanded the midfield when he came on, he made a big difference. I really don't know why he was not in the starting line up next to plummer TBH. I thought plummer looked good and I need to give a special mention to Maffeo, he was my MOTM. He absolutely gave it all and if he doesn't make the first team, I will give up watching football, he was brilliant.

Great to see the first team lads out on the pitch after the final whilst to congratulate the lads, I am sure that gives the team a boost too. Overall a thoroughly entertaining game of football by two very gifted teams, well done boys.

[Ted Hughes]

I completely disagree about allowing the keeper to kick the ball long. If there is absolutely no option then it is fair enough but Vieira wasn't bollocking anybody for that, I saw the incident in question & saw the pass he should have made & thought myself that he had taken the easy way out. Lumping it because the defenders are not good enough to control the ball or the midfielders are not dropping into the spaces to play it out, is absolutely not the answer. If they are allowed to do that, then they will just lump it, full stop, whenever it becomes difficult.

What City want, is players who find a way to overcome that difficulty, which you absolutely can, 90% ot the time if you are smart enough & confident enough. But it has to be something they learn to do under pressure. The first team can't do it. Barca's can. Those who are not capable of doing it at City, will have to go & play for somebody else once this is fully implemented.

Vieira is giving them the opportunity to try & earn a place at our club. That's his job, not winning trophies; that's a secondary target.

[Wonderwall]

I completely disagree about allowing the keeper to kick the ball long. If there is absolutely no option then it is fair enough but Vieira wasn't bollocking anybody for that, I saw the incident in question & saw the pass he should have made & thought myself that he had taken the easy way out. Lumping it because the defenders are not good enough to control the ball or the midfielders are not dropping into the spaces to play it out, is absolutely not the answer. If they are allowed to do that, then they will just lump it, full stop, whenever it becomes difficult.

What City want, is players who find a way to overcome that difficulty, which you absolutely can, 90% ot the time if you are smart enough & confident enough. But it has to be something they learn to do under pressure. The first team can't do it. Barca's can. Those who are not capable of doing it at City, will have to go & play for somebody else once this is fully implemented.

Vieira is giving them the opportunity to try & earn a place at our club. That's his job, not winning trophies; that's a secondary target.

I understand that Ted, but the bollocking made Gunn have to play it short when it WASNT the right option. We were put under unnecessary pressure many times on the night by the philosophy of having to play it short no matter what. Porto were aware of this and pressed us and if their front man was better they would have beaten us as they got possession high up the field from our holistic bullshit.