FA Youth Cup

[gavin]

First leg of the final against Chelsea tomorrow is at the CFA Stadium and on ITV4 at 19.30.

[KunDB]

Great I will watch that. Something to look forward too. Thanks

[Ludo]

The holistic approach is working out well.

Both youth and senior teams can't defend set pieces and both have midfields that don't particularly like running.

[bry the guy]

I was thinking the same they also dont like making a tackle but they are only kids lots to learn yet.

[Swiss]

I fell asleep, what happened?

[bry the guy]

Lost 3-1

[gavin]

Not a great night for the lads. They were second best for the most part but seemed to be coming good towards the end just before conceding a stupid third! It is going to be hard work in the second leg.

[Leewonpen]

The holistic approach is working out well.

Both youth and senior teams can't defend set pieces and both have midfields that don't particularly like running.

Or being pressed, or passing to their own players.......

[bry the guy]

Not a great night for the lads. They were second best for the most part but seemed to be coming good towards the end just before conceding a stupid third! It is going to be hard work in the second leg.

Chelsea were tired at the end after their European cup thingy win

[zacc]

they'll learn more by losing one being how much they need to improve defensively, be more Zabba like in fighting for the ball.

[bluebrendan]

Chelsea were a bigger, stronger side and essentially outmuscled our lads for the first hour or so. I was worried when I saw that our midfield three had two creative players in Garcia and Celina - it didn't bode well for a physical battle which seems to be the plan for all Chelsea's teams under Mourinho. The absence of Ambrose also limited our options going forward - Barker, Buckley and Nemane are similar types, good pace and skill but not very physical. We also put ourselves under pressure by overdoing playing it out from the back.

Still, the true test of both sides will be where their respective players are in 4 or 5 years time. My belief is that City have the better footballers.

[goat]

city have won it a few times before and nothing come from it, remember thinking michael johnson was quality and look what happened to him

[reddishblue]

Beer and kebabs can sucker anyone in. I remember seeing Sturridge 2008? and not being particularly impressed despite the hype. Can't think of anyone else from either side since who plays top level. Well 5th anyway 

[Ludo]

The coachings got to be better if any of those kids are to stand a chance of making it.

I'm sure Jason Wilcox is a decent enough bloke and he's got the relevant badges but he was a shit footballer.

[gavin]

city have won it a few times before and nothing come from it, remember thinking michael johnson was quality and look what happened to him

I don't think the problem with Johnson was his footballing quality. I still reckon he had more than enough to make it.

[zacc]

Chelsea were a bigger, stronger side and essentially outmuscled our lads for the first hour or so. I was worried when I saw that our midfield three had two creative players in Garcia and Celina - it didn't bode well for a physical battle which seems to be the plan for all Chelsea's teams under Mourinho.

Yes thought the same when watching in some ways think City lads better technically but it seems being able to shove people around, fall over at the slightest touch gets results. Very irritating how acceptable this is now.

[gavin]

If they can start the second leg like they played a decent portion of the second half then they can still make an impression in the tie. It really was a shame about that third goal though.

[Neil Mcnab]

Was it Don Howe who said a good big un always beats a good little un. Spain and Barca have shown this is far from the truth. But at this level, it does ring true. Do we lose some of our best players at youth level because its all about results and teams with big strong players get results? So hopefully bluebrendan is right and the best players will come from our team.

[Swiss]

should be a good mix of big and small but ultimately based on ability.


We'll get caught at the back on a counter attack again...

[gavin]

We'll see Monday, it is live on ITV4 again. I reckon our lads showed they can do it in the second half. Hopefully they have learned from their mistakes and particularly that they need to play from the kick off.