U21s: United vs Brighton

With Amass being an unused sub yesterday, hopefully he plays in this game.
 
How are united doing in the different age groups? I know the u18s are walking the league.
 
With Amass being an unused sub yesterday, hopefully he plays in this game.

He’s a defender, better wrap him up in cotton wool. Seriously though I’m interested in seeing how many from that U18s lineup from Saturday will be involved. Should be quite a few.
 
How are united doing in the different age groups? I know the u18s are walking the league.
Not too great as the u21s are around midtable. The few games I got to watch(as the u21s games were rarely televised this season) we were a shambles defensively as Tom Myles set up a few goals for the opponents and Huddlestone with his non existent pace was playing CB.

The last game before the break was good as we won 3-0 against West Brom where thankfully both the players I mentioned above didn't play and it was good performance from everyone involved. Not sure if Huddlestone will be back as Kambwala played for the senior team yesterday.
 
I am not sure that we even have a plan with U21. A lot of players without a future in United are playing, some cause contract expires and we did not want to loan them (Shoretire, Hansen before), some cause loan is not working (Oyedelle, McNeill, Aljofree, Murray), some returning from injury (Ennis), some that are training with the first team (Forson, Kambwalla), kids from U18, some that I am not sure what we want from them like Collyer. So, it is not really a team. Probably it is a season for transition, and next year U18 will move to U21, and U21 clearout will be executed so we can continue to have steady development process.
 
I am not sure that we even have a plan with U21. A lot of players without a future in United are playing, some cause contract expires and we did not want to loan them (Shoretire, Hansen before), some cause loan is not working (Oyedelle, McNeill, Aljofree, Murray), some returning from injury (Ennis), some that are training with the first team (Forson, Kambwalla), kids from U18, some that I am not sure what we want from them like Collyer. So, it is not really a team. Probably it is a season for transition, and next year U18 will move to U21, and U21 clearout will be executed so we can continue to have steady development process.

More recently it does seem like a team that players bounce around in while they are being loaned or we have no plan for them. I remember an article about Villa I think it was a couple of years ago revamping their academy and it said something like at 20 you’re either good enough the first team squad, on loan or being sold/released. There’s no point knocking around in u23s for longer than a few games to get fitness. There’s nothing really to be gained from it apart from playing the younger players up an age group to see how they do
 
XI: Mee, Amass, Bennett, Aljofree, Murray, Ogunneye, Baumann, Oyedele, Curley, McNeill, Ennis

Subs: Wooster, Wheatley, Missin, Ibragimov, Devaney
 
Really interesting how Ibragimov isn’t getting a game for the 18’s yet finds himself on the bench for the 21’s
 
22mins in, a nothing game so far. Couple of decent moments, one of which ended with an Amass shot going wide.

Mcneil has been poor so far with his passing. Gave the ball away cheaply few times.
 
This is the most awful football match I have seen in many years......
 
This is the most awful football match I have seen in many years......
Yep, I almost dozed off. This is a terrible match. Brighton are not even trying to attack and while we are dominating the ball, we've done feck all with it.
 
Had to be an own goal - Amass low cross steered into his own net by a defender
 
Finally!!! We take the lead. Amass cross turned in. Own goal.
 
Half-time summary....

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - Scrappy owngoal zzzzzzzzz
 
58' - Wheatley and Ibragimov coming on for Ennis and Curley.

Still not much in this game. Amass nicked the ball high up and had a good run into the box before shooting over the bar earlier. Still 1-0.
 
Brighton equalize from a corner. Scrappy goal as the initial header was blocked which then fell to another Brighton player who eventually scored.
 
Uh oh Amass down.

Edit : He's up quick but still hobbling around.
 
Ibragimov technique is ridiculous. Can just tell he’s going to be some player
 
Amass probably had cramps at the end. Easily MOTM today. Scrappy affair ends 1-1.
 
I'm not sure how playing with 3 at the back with wingbacks really helps our players transition into the first team when we dont play that system
 
I'm not sure how playing with 3 at the back with wingbacks really helps our players transition into the first team when we dont play that system
Playing 3 at the back isn't a system of play but rather a formation. So whether you play 3 at the back or 2 at the back, the system doesn't have to change. Because the system is a set of principles and a formation is something which aids the development of a system of play by having players occupy different zones on the pitch hence a two CB formation could easily be switched to a 3 CB formation for the same purpose.
 
Is he that wonder kid, just turned 16?

He look good?
Yeah, one of four brothers. Oldest brother is a promising MMA fighter while his younger ones are at United and City’s academy I believe. He’s just turned 16 but his movement, technique and football brain look exceptional for his age! Definitely one to look out for in the next couple of years
 
Playing 3 at the back isn't a system of play but rather a formation. So whether you play 3 at the back or 2 at the back, the system doesn't have to change. Because the system is a set of principles and a formation is something which aids the development of a system of play by having players occupy different zones on the pitch hence a two CB formation could easily be switched to a 3 CB formation for the same purpose.

It is a system. The wingbacks defend higher up the pitch and with a lot less responsibility with the 3 CBs having 90% of the responsibility of looking after wingers on the flanks, not what they will be doing in a back 4 at all. It is the 2 outside CBs who are learning to do fullback jobs.
 
It is a system. The wingbacks defend higher up the pitch and with a lot less responsibility with the 3 CBs having 90% of the responsibility of looking after wingers on the flanks, not what they will be doing in a back 4 at all. It is the 2 outside CBs who are learning to do fullback jobs.
A formation isn't a system and has never been a system.

And having fullbacks convert to a wingback role doesn't alter the system but rather changes the role of the individual within that system.
 
A formation isn't a system and has never been a system.

And having fullbacks convert to a wingback role doesn't alter the system but rather changes the role of the individual within that system.
You talk about a set of beliefs which is a philosophy.

You dont know what a system is so I'll tell you. Its what the numbers dont tell you, 4, 2, 5, 2, 1, 3 all of these just represent how many players are in each segment of the pitch. But attached to these are a set of responsibilities that are given based on those numbers and formations. The system is how those numbers work together to succeed. Who has what responsibility to aid each other in each area of the pitch.

When you have 3 at the back the 2 outside CBs immediately confront the wingers. Its their job to take care of that side. Some additional support is expected from wingbacks but mostly for overlaps and additional players arriving in the area - the same thing a winger has with a back 4.

If a winger breaks down the side and gets a cross in to a scorer or scores themselves in a solo goal thats on the CB. Thats why you're playing 3 at the back, so that they can split away and take care of that side. So they cant be losing 1 vs 1. In a 4 defender system thats not the case. That same goal would be on the fullback, he is the man responsible for the winger

Playing wingback for the u21s with a 3 man defence does nothing for helping fullbacks transition to the first team. Not unless we are going to play that system and then it obviously helps a lot. They dont need tactical flexability for formations and systems we dont use. What they need is to gradually be given tougher tasks and more responsibility in their actual positions and roles that we hope they're going to then take up in the first team. It does help them a bit going forward as they're playing in a more adult age group than the 18s and they're playing further forward and are expected to do a bit more with the ball. So it helps that.
 
You talk about a set of beliefs which is a philosophy.

You dont know what a system is so I'll tell you. Its what the numbers dont tell you, 4, 2, 5, 2, 1, 3 all of these just represent how many players are in each segment of the pitch. But attached to these are a set of responsibilities that are given based on those numbers and formations. The system is how those numbers work together to succeed. Who has what responsibility to aid each other in each area of the pitch.

When you have 3 at the back the 2 outside CBs immediately confront the wingers. Its their job to take care of that side. Some additional support is expected from wingbacks but mostly for overlaps and additional players arriving in the area - the same thing a winger has with a back 4.

If a winger breaks down the side and gets a cross in to a scorer or scores themselves in a solo goal thats on the CB. Thats why you're playing 3 at the back, so that they can split away and take care of that side. So they cant be losing 1 vs 1. In a 4 defender system thats not the case. That same goal would be on the fullback, he is the man responsible for the winger

Playing wingback for the u21s with a 3 man defence does nothing for helping fullbacks transition to the first team. Not unless we are going to play that system and then it obviously helps a lot. They dont need tactical flexability for formations and systems we dont use. What they need is to gradually be given tougher tasks and more responsibility in their actual positions and roles that we hope they're going to then take up in the first team. It does help them a bit going forward as they're playing in a more adult age group than the 18s and they're playing further forward and are expected to do a bit more with the ball. So it helps that.
You have no idea what you're talking about and it's hard for you to accept you're wrong.

Whether a coach is playing three at the back or has two CBs, the concept can still be the same. If the aim is to implement positional play, then the role of the fullback or wingback isn't important because the system of play in possession requires the team as a collective to exert zonal and positional control within the positional play principles. And if the wingbacks are pushed high, it tests them in possession going forward and it tests the CBs in the channel defending 1v1s.

There's coaches like Potter, Tuchel and a few others who have implemented the 3 at the back formation but within the positional play system. The formation has no bearing on the system of play hence the Dutch were masters of changing formation in-game by tweaking one or two positions to go from a 3 at the back to a two CB formation without altering the system at all.
 
Yeah, one of four brothers. Oldest brother is a promising MMA fighter while his younger ones are at United and City’s academy I believe. He’s just turned 16 but his movement, technique and football brain look exceptional for his age! Definitely one to look out for in the next couple of years

We’ve got ’em all now.