EDS/Academy Games

[mr_nool]

Thanks for the input gents!

I don't watch enough youth games to have a strong opinion regarding this, but I found it quite remarkable if those really were the words of Pep.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

After quite a few games with the EDS and U18 where we've beem bullied by a more physical side, have been tactically naive, or have failed to close the game down, some people on here have been (gently) questioning the philosophy of the academy of mainly playing to educate, not to win.[color=#40FF00] Parallels have been drawn to the rag sides who do everything to win and hence "breed winners".
[/color]
I always thought these reactions were somewhat exaggerated, but I just listened to the latest 93:20 podcast with graham Hunter, and something he said sort of made me change my mind. He said that Pep has expressed that he's really happy with the technical ability and the quality of the kids coming through our academy, but that he has a hard time promoting them because they lack winner's mentality and a desire to do whatever it takes to succeed.

So, have we tried to emulate Barca the last few years, but forgotten about the most important aspect: creating winners?

The Scum certainly do do everything to win and "breed winners".

In their repertoire for this purpose, they have the diving skills of Ashley Young and his ilk just for starters. It was also admitted a while ago that FergusScum created a culture of players surrounding the referee at every decision, to browbeat the official and ensure all decisions went their way.....and this is just a couple of examples.

To my mind, this kind of conduct is the 'Yooonited way' and, in trying to inculcate a winning mentality, I don't want City to go down that particular route. As a Club, we are far better than such grubby, nefarious and distasteful practices.

[Wonderwall]

Confirmed Tosin signs a 4 year contract with us

Phew

[johnny crossan]

Confirmed Tosin signs a 4 year contract with us

Phew

I am disappointed you didn't PM me after you strangled my celebrations a week ago

[nottsblue]

http://bbc.in/2rA2hEw

[CTID Hants]

http://bbc.in/2rA2hEw

I saw summat about some bloke from Sheffield Wednesday academy coming to us (reported by Sheffield local paper). Not sure if it's to replace him or not though?

[CTID Hants]

Scratch that, it's a bloke called Dean Ramsdale and he's joining the academy scouting team lol

[Wonderwall]

Confirmed Tosin signs a 4 year contract with us

Phew

I am disappointed you didn't PM me after you strangled my celebrations a week ago

My apologies JC. You had an ITK scoop and I ruined it. My bad.

[Nigels Tackle]

http://bbc.in/2rA2hEw

I saw summat about some bloke from Sheffield Wednesday academy coming to us (reported by Sheffield local paper). Not sure if it's to replace him or not though?

blueboylewis is applying

[CTID Hants]

http://bbc.in/2rA2hEw

I saw summat about some bloke from Sheffield Wednesday academy coming to us (reported by Sheffield local paper). Not sure if it's to replace him or not though?

blueboylewis is applying

Good to see your sense of humour returning NT

[CTID Hants]

Manu Garcia confirmed another year at NAC Breda

& Hearts have announced an agreement to sign left-back Ashley Smith-Brown (21) on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

(also posted in transfer done deals as not everyone comes in EDS thread)

[CTID Hants]

Jason Wilcox is the new interim academy director at City following Mark Allen's departure

[iwasthere2012]

Eric Garcia (another one) has been signed for €2m from La Masia accademy. Supposed to be the brightest CB prospect at Barca. Pep recommended personally.

Anyone hear anything about this?

We're now taking from Barca as Puyol, his agent, reckons the City Academy project is better.
Times are changing at Barca.

[CTID Hants]

Eric Garcia (another one) has been signed for €2m from La Masia accademy. Supposed to be the brightest CB prospect at Barca. Pep recommended personally.

Anyone hear anything about this?

We're now taking from Barca as Puyol, his agent, reckons the City Academy project is better.
Times are changing at Barca.

Welcome back IWT (holibobs?)

Recommended personally by Pep? Reports I read yesterday had Pep quoted as saying he hadn't seen him play yet?

But yes good that the academy is out favouring the likes of Barça!!

[iwasthere2012]

Eric Garcia (another one) has been signed for €2m from La Masia accademy. Supposed to be the brightest CB prospect at Barca. Pep recommended personally.

Anyone hear anything about this?

We're now taking from Barca as Puyol, his agent, reckons the City Academy project is better.
Times are changing at Barca.

Welcome back IWT (holibobs?)

Recommended personally by Pep? Reports I read yesterday had Pep quoted as saying he hadn't seen him play yet?

But yes good that the academy is out favouring the likes of Barça!!

Yeah. Portugal's Silver Coast. Very laid back. Nothing but surfing along the entire coast. Didn't want to think about football at all.

[iwasthere2012]

https://twitter.com/NTingwell/status/884447920312864768

Like the fact Pep is very familiar with Phil Foden.
I'd love to see that lad get a chance with us.

[nottsblue]

Lukas Nmecha scores a 93rd minute back heeled winner to send England under 19s through to the final where they will face Portugal

[Douglas Higginbottom]

https://twitter.com/NTingwell/status/884447920312864768

Like the fact Pep is very familiar with Phil Foden.
I'd love to see that lad get a chance with us.

Would be very surprised if he didn't.

[iwasthere2012]

https://twitter.com/NTingwell/status/884447920312864768

Like the fact Pep is very familiar with Phil Foden.
I'd love to see that lad get a chance with us.

Would be very surprised if he didn't.

Familiar yes. But I mean jokey playful in a fatherly non creepy kind of way.

I'm sure Pep is well aware of the skill in the academy.

[nottsblue]

Lukas Nmecha scores a 93rd minute back heeled winner to send England under 19s through to the final where they will face Portugal

Has now scored the winner in the final. England win 2-1. Well done