Our third round opponents are Torquay United at home. I imagine the game will be played Altrictham.
Dates TBC.
Dates TBC.
FA Youth Cup 2011/12
- Thread starter MPTutd
- Start date
This game was originally marked down for December 17th? Is it likely to move?
Time and date confirmed as Friday December 2, 7PM.
Source: manutd.com
Source: manutd.com
The game is live on MUTV tonight, with a 7pm KO.
Man United’s Academy begin their defence of the FA Youth Cup tonight at Moss Lane (7pm KO). They’ve been drawn to face Torquay’s U18 side – a stark contrast to last season when all their FAYC games were against academies of PL sides or strong Championship teams (Portsmouth and West Ham). United’s U18 side has a very different look this season, so what should we expect and who should we look out for?
The success last year came from having a largely consistent first choice team made up predominantly of second year scholars, almost all of whom had been capped by their country at youth level (Larnell Cole has since gone on to be capped at U19 level). The core of that side have progressed on to the Reserves and, unsurprisingly are continuing to do well.
Only two of the more regular starters from last year remain – Tyler Blackett and Gyliano Van Velzen. Others were around last year too – Tom Lawrence, Charni Ekangamene, Joe Coll, Liam Jacob and the injured Luke McCullough. Mats Daehli as a schoolboy played in the FAYC and a few others featured in some league games. So, the first thing to note is that this year’s side has a nucleus of first year scholars – they’re young and relatively inexperienced at this level.
Aside from experience, the Academy lack three things this season: height, physical strength and strikers. They are a very small group of players who early on in the season were getting bullied by opposition sides who were simply bigger than them. However, they are a very talented group of players with the ball on the ground and have learnt how to use that to their advantage in the past couple of months. The side’s ball players are starting to understand how to control a game and are able to now pass their way through opponents as well as using their fitness levels as a method of winning the ball back.
This season has predominantly seen the team play 4-5-1 or whatever variation of that system you want to call it. Sam Byrne, signed in the summer, is the only natural striker in the squad. He’s taken a little while to adjust and finally scored his first goal in the last game they played. It has though seen other players having to play out of position when Byrne has been on international duty or rotated out of the side.
In terms of personnel, Joe Rothwell is definitely missing as he’s badly injured his hip. He’ll be out for a few months still. It’s unfortunate for the England youth international who’s very much the Carrick (circa 2006) of the Academy side. Tom Lawrence, an elegant attacking midfielder may also miss out through injury. He’s another player who’s been good this season, adding goals and flair to his already accomplished game.
This would be my team for tonight, I’ll briefly explain a bit about why I’ve left certain players out and who to look out for:
Liam Jacob’s been the most assured of our goalkeepers this season. For me he’s come on a long way in terms of distribution, handling and all-round confidence. I still think his concentration and tendency to inexplicably drop the ball are concerns though. Certainly he’s been more assured than Joe Coll whilst Jonny Sutherland’s not started a game and Pierluigi Gollini is injured.
The back four is tricky to pick simply because of the balance Donald Love gives and the form of Charni Ekangamane. Luke McCullough, the captain, has been the best player in the side this season by a long way. Having missed almost all of last year through injury he’s returned this season as a beast – quick, strong, Vidic-like in the air and Rio-like with the ball at his feet he’s starting to look very complete. His regular partner has been Declan Dalley but recently with Charni’s return from injury, Dalley has missed out. Instead, Tyler Blackett, usually a left back, has moved into the centre and done well. Tyler’s a very rangey player who loves to run forward with the ball – a great asset to have particularly as he’s an excellent crosser, but at centre back perhaps he has to be more tactically disciplined. Donald Love has only played a few games having had a long term injury but he’s looked excellent, providing superb balance to the side and is a natural right back unlike Hendrie and Weir who’ve played there.
The midfield five can be broken down into two areas – the tacklers and the attackers. With Rothwell out it’ll almost certainly be two from James Weir, Luke Hendrie and Jack Rudge. I think Rudge has been a real unsung hero lately – he’s an all-rounder able to defend and attack; however he’s a seriously good user of the ball too and his one touch football high up the pitch has often lead to goals. For me, he has to start. Weir’s promising start to the season was disrupted with an injury and since then he’s yet to win back a regular starting spot; instead Luke Hendrie has moved from right back to his more familiar central position. He’s bags of energy and is a snappy player. He and Rudge are key to United’s ball retention and I think for his defensive abilities, he should partner Rudge.
The attackers in United’s side tend to have free roles as they swap positions throughout the game. Jack Barmby, a left footer and the son of Nicky usually starts on the right cutting inside. Adnan Januzaj, a much hyped player signed last year from Anderlecht tends to play centrally behind the striker and one other player, often Gyliano Van Velzen starts on the left. Tom Lawrence would have been a definite starter but his fitness is unknown to me so I’ve picked Mats Daehli to start.
Barmby is a selfish, tricky footballer. He’s direct and loves to get shots away; he’s the sides top scorer and like Nani is capable of both the spectacular and the infuriating. He’s crucial to the team though, when on-song he can be unplayable. Adnan Januzaj is spindly and looks like he could be blown over by a light breeze – however he glides across the pitch and loves the ball at his feet. He’s already shown he’s very capable of linking play and all-round looks a very talented footballer. Mats Daehli is a diminutive figure but has beautiful balance and control. He’s very comfortable on the ball and much like Larnell Cole, the ball sticks to his feet. His vision is beyond his years, he sees balls way before anyone else but his performances have been a bit inconsistent – he sometimes disappears in games. Recently though his influence in games has grown and his one touch intricate play with Rudge and Januzaj has been superb.
Up front it seems odd not to go with Sam Byrne. However I feel a bit sorry for Sam – he’s often given everything for the team and run the channels superbly but had little luck with any kind of return. He’s very young and still has loads to learn despite having the good raw ingredients for a striker. Gyliano Van Velzen, naturally a left winger, has more than capably stepped in and lead the line at times and I think I’d pick him to do the same later today. He’s very lanky but has finally started to bulk out and use his physique. Defenders are scared of him because he’s direct, fast and very tricky. His end product needs improvement but he’s added more goals this season and interchanges nicely with the players around him.
That hopefully summaries the key players in the side. Expectations really shouldn’t be as high as they were last year but I think this side are capable of surprising people and I’d hope they can reach the quarter finals or maybe with some luck in the draw, a bit further. What they have going for them is momentum having won three of their last four and in all of the games they’ve played very well. The signs are really there that this side are starting to come together and understand how to play as a team.
They may not be as exciting as last year’s team and may not have the same hype around them but I encourage you to watch them tonight on MUTV; I think you’ll still be both surprised and entertained; they’re certainly good fun to watch.
New generation of Januzaj & Co. start United’s defence of the FA Youth Cup | Manchester United Blog | The Stretty Rant
The success last year came from having a largely consistent first choice team made up predominantly of second year scholars, almost all of whom had been capped by their country at youth level (Larnell Cole has since gone on to be capped at U19 level). The core of that side have progressed on to the Reserves and, unsurprisingly are continuing to do well.
Only two of the more regular starters from last year remain – Tyler Blackett and Gyliano Van Velzen. Others were around last year too – Tom Lawrence, Charni Ekangamene, Joe Coll, Liam Jacob and the injured Luke McCullough. Mats Daehli as a schoolboy played in the FAYC and a few others featured in some league games. So, the first thing to note is that this year’s side has a nucleus of first year scholars – they’re young and relatively inexperienced at this level.
Aside from experience, the Academy lack three things this season: height, physical strength and strikers. They are a very small group of players who early on in the season were getting bullied by opposition sides who were simply bigger than them. However, they are a very talented group of players with the ball on the ground and have learnt how to use that to their advantage in the past couple of months. The side’s ball players are starting to understand how to control a game and are able to now pass their way through opponents as well as using their fitness levels as a method of winning the ball back.
This season has predominantly seen the team play 4-5-1 or whatever variation of that system you want to call it. Sam Byrne, signed in the summer, is the only natural striker in the squad. He’s taken a little while to adjust and finally scored his first goal in the last game they played. It has though seen other players having to play out of position when Byrne has been on international duty or rotated out of the side.
In terms of personnel, Joe Rothwell is definitely missing as he’s badly injured his hip. He’ll be out for a few months still. It’s unfortunate for the England youth international who’s very much the Carrick (circa 2006) of the Academy side. Tom Lawrence, an elegant attacking midfielder may also miss out through injury. He’s another player who’s been good this season, adding goals and flair to his already accomplished game.
This would be my team for tonight, I’ll briefly explain a bit about why I’ve left certain players out and who to look out for:
Liam Jacob’s been the most assured of our goalkeepers this season. For me he’s come on a long way in terms of distribution, handling and all-round confidence. I still think his concentration and tendency to inexplicably drop the ball are concerns though. Certainly he’s been more assured than Joe Coll whilst Jonny Sutherland’s not started a game and Pierluigi Gollini is injured.
The back four is tricky to pick simply because of the balance Donald Love gives and the form of Charni Ekangamane. Luke McCullough, the captain, has been the best player in the side this season by a long way. Having missed almost all of last year through injury he’s returned this season as a beast – quick, strong, Vidic-like in the air and Rio-like with the ball at his feet he’s starting to look very complete. His regular partner has been Declan Dalley but recently with Charni’s return from injury, Dalley has missed out. Instead, Tyler Blackett, usually a left back, has moved into the centre and done well. Tyler’s a very rangey player who loves to run forward with the ball – a great asset to have particularly as he’s an excellent crosser, but at centre back perhaps he has to be more tactically disciplined. Donald Love has only played a few games having had a long term injury but he’s looked excellent, providing superb balance to the side and is a natural right back unlike Hendrie and Weir who’ve played there.
The midfield five can be broken down into two areas – the tacklers and the attackers. With Rothwell out it’ll almost certainly be two from James Weir, Luke Hendrie and Jack Rudge. I think Rudge has been a real unsung hero lately – he’s an all-rounder able to defend and attack; however he’s a seriously good user of the ball too and his one touch football high up the pitch has often lead to goals. For me, he has to start. Weir’s promising start to the season was disrupted with an injury and since then he’s yet to win back a regular starting spot; instead Luke Hendrie has moved from right back to his more familiar central position. He’s bags of energy and is a snappy player. He and Rudge are key to United’s ball retention and I think for his defensive abilities, he should partner Rudge.
The attackers in United’s side tend to have free roles as they swap positions throughout the game. Jack Barmby, a left footer and the son of Nicky usually starts on the right cutting inside. Adnan Januzaj, a much hyped player signed last year from Anderlecht tends to play centrally behind the striker and one other player, often Gyliano Van Velzen starts on the left. Tom Lawrence would have been a definite starter but his fitness is unknown to me so I’ve picked Mats Daehli to start.
Barmby is a selfish, tricky footballer. He’s direct and loves to get shots away; he’s the sides top scorer and like Nani is capable of both the spectacular and the infuriating. He’s crucial to the team though, when on-song he can be unplayable. Adnan Januzaj is spindly and looks like he could be blown over by a light breeze – however he glides across the pitch and loves the ball at his feet. He’s already shown he’s very capable of linking play and all-round looks a very talented footballer. Mats Daehli is a diminutive figure but has beautiful balance and control. He’s very comfortable on the ball and much like Larnell Cole, the ball sticks to his feet. His vision is beyond his years, he sees balls way before anyone else but his performances have been a bit inconsistent – he sometimes disappears in games. Recently though his influence in games has grown and his one touch intricate play with Rudge and Januzaj has been superb.
Up front it seems odd not to go with Sam Byrne. However I feel a bit sorry for Sam – he’s often given everything for the team and run the channels superbly but had little luck with any kind of return. He’s very young and still has loads to learn despite having the good raw ingredients for a striker. Gyliano Van Velzen, naturally a left winger, has more than capably stepped in and lead the line at times and I think I’d pick him to do the same later today. He’s very lanky but has finally started to bulk out and use his physique. Defenders are scared of him because he’s direct, fast and very tricky. His end product needs improvement but he’s added more goals this season and interchanges nicely with the players around him.
That hopefully summaries the key players in the side. Expectations really shouldn’t be as high as they were last year but I think this side are capable of surprising people and I’d hope they can reach the quarter finals or maybe with some luck in the draw, a bit further. What they have going for them is momentum having won three of their last four and in all of the games they’ve played very well. The signs are really there that this side are starting to come together and understand how to play as a team.
They may not be as exciting as last year’s team and may not have the same hype around them but I encourage you to watch them tonight on MUTV; I think you’ll still be both surprised and entertained; they’re certainly good fun to watch.
New generation of Januzaj & Co. start United’s defence of the FA Youth Cup | Manchester United Blog | The Stretty Rant
I rate McCullough but Rio-like on the ball? He's an excellent defender but his passing and control under pressure need work. Young & learnin'.
All in all a good read though. So Rothwell is expected back in a few months? Worse than hoped, better than feared.
All in all a good read though. So Rothwell is expected back in a few months? Worse than hoped, better than feared.
Rob Harris @RobHarrisUK Close
Interestingly in new @itv-@thefadotcom deal, FA Youth Cup matches will get greater exposure with 6 games on ITV4
Just seen this on twitter. Good news.
Interestingly in new @itv-@thefadotcom deal, FA Youth Cup matches will get greater exposure with 6 games on ITV4
Just seen this on twitter. Good news.
So Ioannou made his debut with the 18's?
If we don't win this years FA Youth Cup:
We should at least not complain about bad luck...
3 round Torquay
4 round Derby (who beat Arsenal away)
5 round Swansea (who beat Liverpool)
6 round Charlton (who beat Spurs)
We win against Charlton and I wouldnt be surprised if Burnley knock out Fulham and we draw them.
We should at least not complain about bad luck...
3 round Torquay
4 round Derby (who beat Arsenal away)
5 round Swansea (who beat Liverpool)
6 round Charlton (who beat Spurs)
We win against Charlton and I wouldnt be surprised if Burnley knock out Fulham and we draw them.
We play Nottingham or Chelsea if we beat Charlton.
Not sure I get this - surely if those teams beat the teams in brackets, it's not exactly an easier draw for us?
Just because they're not big clubs doesn't mean they don't have good academy sides. Remember a lot of the bigger football league clubs have to sell their best academy players to Premiership clubs, such is the way that league system is financed; but there are some strong academies down there. The Derby side we played in round 4 were a very strong side I thought.
Yeah it's not the same as in the first team where you will always know that Arsenal have a better side than Derby, it could be just this year Derby's U18's are simply better than Arsenal's.
Derby is decent - but I would prefer to play them rather than Arsenal. As for Swansea, Charlton, and Torquay - I am not saying they are bad - but none of them are playing in the beat league of the academy-league. That usually means something
So naturally the difference is smaller than at first-team level - but if someone wants to argue that we haven't been VERY lucky - feel free to do so
Nottingham Forest's academy side is one of the best team this time.
Also I'm pleasantly surprised at our team's run till now, obviously they're talented but I thought that they weren't physically ready. Will be great to see how this team develops, technically most of them are already very good.
Also I'm pleasantly surprised at our team's run till now, obviously they're talented but I thought that they weren't physically ready. Will be great to see how this team develops, technically most of them are already very good.
Derby is decent - but I would prefer to play them rather than Arsenal. As for Swansea, Charlton, and Torquay - I am not saying they are bad - but none of them are playing in the beat league of the academy-league. That usually means something
So naturally the difference is smaller than at first-team level - but if someone wants to argue that we haven't been VERY lucky - feel free to do so
Will happily argue it - given the results, the fact the teams you mention have knocked out those 'bigger' teams suggests it really doesn't mean that much?
Advantage for the supposedly smaller clubs often comes in the way they have players in their teams who have already had first team outings - Bennett for Derby for example. Look at Sheffield United last season, another supposedly smaller team - they had guys like Maguire and Slew who'd got that experience. With that also often comes a physical advantage too - we know how much of a difference that makes at youth level compared to seniors. It's just pointless really to try and transpose the superiority of certain teams at senior level automatically to youth football, it doesn't work.
Charlton ARE in the Premier Academy League, fwiw.
Anything can happen in a cupgame - I agree with that. And you can argue that that the big clubs don't necessarily have better teams than Championships or League 1 sides - but quite frequently it works that way.
They have more money, they often have better coaches, yeah very often they have better everything. You mention Sheffield United as an example - granted they did well. But if you look at The FA Youth Cup over the last 20 or so years - 4 out of 5 teams reaching the finals are current Premier League clubs or clubs in the Championship with historically very good youth-experience (like West Ham, Southampton or Crystal Palace)
Since the start of the P.L - the following clubs have the most FA Youth Cup finals:
5) Manchester United
4) Arsenal and Liverpool
3) Aston Villa
2) Manchester City, Chelsea, Leeds, Everton, Coventry, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Boro
So imo - it's rather obvious that playing the top teams even in the FA Youth Cup 4 times out of 5 will be harder than lower league sides - even if I accept your arguments.
They have more money, they often have better coaches, yeah very often they have better everything. You mention Sheffield United as an example - granted they did well. But if you look at The FA Youth Cup over the last 20 or so years - 4 out of 5 teams reaching the finals are current Premier League clubs or clubs in the Championship with historically very good youth-experience (like West Ham, Southampton or Crystal Palace)
Since the start of the P.L - the following clubs have the most FA Youth Cup finals:
5) Manchester United
4) Arsenal and Liverpool
3) Aston Villa
2) Manchester City, Chelsea, Leeds, Everton, Coventry, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Boro
So imo - it's rather obvious that playing the top teams even in the FA Youth Cup 4 times out of 5 will be harder than lower league sides - even if I accept your arguments.
3-1 for Nottingham Forest against Chelsea after 60.mins
Another Chelsea goal
3-3.....amazing comeback from Chelsea..........two goals for the former Celtic youngster Feruz
Fantastic performance from Chalobah too, biggest english talent at the moment imo. Lucas Piazon, Feruz and Kane are great talents too.
Fantastic performance from Chalobah too, biggest english talent at the moment imo. Lucas Piazon, Feruz and Kane are great talents too.
Chelsea 4-3 now.
Great comeback.
Great comeback.
Wow wow wow wow wow 4-3 Chelsea..........that is absolutely mental..........i love football
FT: 4-3 Chelsea win
I have a feeling Forest would have won it if they hadn't sold their best player...to Chelsea
Think i'll head down to OT tomorrow for our game, be the 1st I've seen of the first year players like Barmby
Why is the game tomorrow ffs?
I'll be heading to Old Trafford tonight! Could anyone recommend me a good pub to watch the rest of the England game in afterwards?