Southampton vs Nottingham Forest - FA Youth Cup 5th round St Mary's 7pm 25th Jan

[ThreeSixty]

Popped down, we started decent controlling the ball then lost it completely. Forrest seemed to be much bigger and stronger in every department.

 

Our 2 center halfs were awful, letting the ball bounce, missing headers and heading straight into the air all night. Luke Shaw bombed forward well enough, never looked interested in defending. Corby Moore lost the ball alot, JWP looked a class above really. Jake Sinclair had little to feed off, Forrest skipper at CB was decent.

 

Got a bit spicy towards the end, their team was pretty dirty.

[paris]

Ouch....

[Sour Mash]

Tongue in cheek I hope. You can't read anything into 1 game.

Why not? Did you not see the reaction on here when we beat Sheff Utd a couple of rounds ago?

[Saint_clark]

We've always been a more "technical" academy. Produced plenty of decent to good wingers/forwards - but how many good centrebacks, keepers or hard tackling midfielders?

[JRM]

We've always been a more "technical" academy. Produced plenty of decent to good wingers/forwards - but how many good centrebacks, keepers or hard tackling midfielders?

 

Tommy Widdrington, Neil Maddison, Francis Benali

 

lets face it, maybe the current U18s aren't as good as they think they are and this will be a wake up call for them.

[LostBoys]

An astonishing game we must have had 65% possession and at least 20 chances - Sinclair had 10 on his own. They had far less and scored all of them. The centre back marking their number 9 made him look good and he obliged. I had Forest supporters probably parents etc behind me and they said they could not believe how many chances we missed - they said they expected to get stuffed here - like their first team. Some of our players looked good - Shaw in particular and some did not.

Edited 26 January, 2012 by LostBoys

[Saint_clark]

Tommy Widdrington, Neil Maddison, Francis Benali

 

lets face it, maybe the current U18s aren't as good as they think they are and this will be a wake up call for them.

 

That's three. And none of them in the last decade. Compared to god knows how many forward thinking players who are now in the NPC/Premiership...

[The Cat]

Got there late, just after the first goal. From then on I didn't think we played well at all until we went 5-0 down. We did create chances but most of the efforts were mis hit, unlike theirs which all seemed to go in. Partly helped by weak defending it has to be said although their number 9 was decent and his hat trick goal was a screamer.

 

Positives were Ward-Prowse and Luke Shaw who I thought was superb going forwards. Had great touch and looked comfortable on the ball. He's got good pace too and puts in a mean cross.

 

Sinclair ran his arse off but kept fluffing the chances that came his way. He needed 2 goes at the goal he did score.

 

Crowd of 800 odd. Quite enjoyed the chant of "5 nil to the referee" after he made a bad late decision. And whether it was aimed at the ref or not, there were a few boos at half time which I found a bit odd at an under 18's game.

Edited 25 January, 2012 by The Cat
negotiating the ridiculous swear filter (I was aiming for m i s h i t, somewhat like our strikers tonight)

[Matthew Le God]

Tommy Widdrington, Neil Maddison, Francis Benali

 

That's three. And none of them in the last decade.

 

Last two decades more like!

 

Over 20 years since Widdrington, Maddison and Benali played youth team football (getting close to 25 years).

Edited 25 January, 2012 by Matthew Le God

[egg]

We've always been a more "technical" academy. Produced plenty of decent to good wingers/forwards - but how many good centrebacks, keepers or hard tackling midfielders?

 

Matt Mills looked ok on Monday. We bettered Williamson. Cranie is competent.

 

You're right tho, the academy has always produced far more attack minded players than defensive.

[Saint Charlie]

Lets be honest, the value is having 3-4 good individuals over a good 'team' as only 3-4 will make it anyway and perhaps only 1-2 with us.

[stardustonmyfeet]

I thought results weren't as important as allowing the youngsters to develop. The articles lamenting our lack of senior international talent always note how we place too much emphasis on results early on. Might be worth remembering that now.

[SuperMikey]

Really poor performance tonight, but there was no strength in our team at all. Their No.9 Bamford was quality, looked a very good player. Luke Shaw made some good runs down the left but that was about it really from us... Lesson from tonight: SIGN UP BAMFORD!

[SFKA South Woodford]

Good turnout from the first team as well, as Jos, Fox, Lallana, Harding, Reeves, Kelvin and Lee were all there with Murty sitting in their midst. Adkins and Cortese were also there. Lallana and Jos, weren't on crutches and seemed to be moving freely and showing no signs of their injuries. Also taking in the game were David Pleat, Frank Gray and Trevor Brooking.

 

At the end of the game Adkins just sat there for a couple of minutes looking very depressed, he looked as though Cortese had just told him that he cannot sign anyone else or that failiure will not be tolerated and he had to sack Dodd and Williams.

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

We've always been a more "technical" academy. Produced plenty of decent to good wingers/forwards - but how many good centrebacks, keepers or hard tackling midfielders?

 

Tommy Widdrington, Neil Maddison, Francis Benali

 

lets face it, maybe the current U18s aren't as good as they think they are and this will be a wake up call for them.

 

That's three. And none of them in the last decade. Compared to god knows how many forward thinking players who are now in the NPC/Premiership...

 

Last two decades more like!

 

Over 20 years since Widdrington, Maddison and Benali played youth team football (getting close to 25 years).

 

Matt Mills looked ok on Monday. We bettered Williamson. Cranie is competent.

 

You're right tho, the academy has always produced far more attack minded players than defensive.

 

Tim Sparv looked a big strong player. Was really surprised when he left. Did we have a choice on that one?

 

It's a shame we can't produce a top international/Champions-League quality full-back who can bomb up the wing and also play as a top class winger. Like that guy at Spuds... what's his name? And which academy produced him? We should be keeping tabs on any young defenders they might be churning out!

 

And then who's that young defender the top clubs have been trailing recently? Luke somebody? Which club is he at?

 

If only we could turn out top defenders like those two....

 

.....OH!!

[SuperMikey]

My mate and I met Tadanari Lee when he came out of the reception after the game. Shouted after him, he turned around as did the people he was with (looked like his parents) and my mate did the purple archer celebration at him. Tada and all the people he was with burst out into huge grins and gave us the thumbs up! Saw Kelvin and Nige having a bit of an in-depth discussion in the reception as well before Nige went back to the players dressing room.

[donny]

Really poor performance tonight, but there was no strength in our team at all. Their No.9 Bamford was quality, looked a very good player. Luke Shaw made some good runs down the left but that was about it really from us... Lesson from tonight: SIGN UP BAMFORD!

He's out of contract for us in the summer, we've offered him a new deal though, but I'm not 100% sure whether he'll sign it or not.

[egg]

It's a shame we can't produce a top international/Champions-League quality full-back who can bomb up the wing and also play as a top class winger. Like that guy at Spuds... what's his name? And which academy produced him? We should be keeping tabs on any young defenders they might be churning out!

 

And then who's that young defender the top clubs have been trailing recently? Luke somebody? Which club is he at?

 

If only we could turn out top defenders like those two....

 

.....OH!!

They are full backs. I think the op meant proper defenders, ie centre backs and also ball winning midfielders.

[egg]

Tim Sparv looked a big strong player. Was really surprised when he left. Did we have a choice on that one?

 

He was a proper box to box playr and was one that got away. I think we released him, madness.

[hypochondriac]

My mate and I met Tadanari Lee when he came out of the reception after the game. Shouted after him, he turned around as did the people he was with (looked like his parents) and my mate did the purple archer celebration at him. Tada and all the people he was with burst out into huge grins and gave us the thumbs up! Saw Kelvin and Nige having a bit of an in-depth discussion in the reception as well before Nige went back to the players dressing room.

 

Ah Mikey, you and your crazy antics.

[Griffo]

I got to St Mary's at half time and left after their 5th. Waste of a fiver.

[Boris Karloff]

I would be surprised if more than a couple of players make i out of that group. Shaw and JWP are quality although JWP had a bit of a mixed performance. Jack Stephens is a big lad and had a good run at the end. He does look good but too often just played a ball inside without really looking. The two centre halves weren't great. Mugabi looked indecisive and Turnball just doesn't have any pace to cut it at a higher level.

 

As for the others up front, there were nice touches but nobody seemed to have a killer instinct. Too many touches were taken and when a good opportunity arose it normally ended up in row Z. Compare that with Bamford for Forest who only had about 5 chances and buried 4 of them.

 

I quite liked Omar Rowe when he came on. He was a bit more direct when he came on and didn't take any stick off the Forest defenders. But it wasn't a terrible performance, they just had a couple of lads who were a bit too big and a bit too good. Bamford is quality and as is often the case at this age, one really good forward can make a big difference.

[Itchen_block4]

I would be surprised if more than a couple of players make i out of that group. Shaw and JWP are quality although JWP had a bit of a mixed performance. Jack Stephens is a big lad and had a good run at the end. He does look good but too often just played a ball inside without really looking. The two centre halves weren't great. Mugabi looked indecisive and Turnball just doesn't have any pace to cut it at a higher level.

 

As for the others up front, there were nice touches but nobody seemed to have a killer instinct. Too many touches were taken and when a good opportunity arose it normally ended up in row Z. Compare that with Bamford for Forest who only had about 5 chances and buried 4 of them.

 

I quite liked Omar Rowe when he came on. He was a bit more direct when he came on and didn't take any stick off the Forest defenders. But it wasn't a terrible performance, they just had a couple of lads who were a bit too big and a bit too good. Bamford is quality and as is often the case at this age, one really good forward can make a big difference.

 

Most definately as we created our share of chances. There are inviting crosses that aren't dealt with, loose balls in the box and strikers in unholy amount of space all over the place in youth football. Although playing solely to exploit youth football's obvious vulnerabilities to pace and power isn't the best way of teaching kids as it doesn't translate to senior football. The youths could play with Lambert in the box and lump balls to him. They'd score goals and win games, but learn very little.

[Saint_clark]

It's a shame we can't produce a top international/Champions-League quality full-back who can bomb up the wing and also play as a top class winger. Like that guy at Spuds... what's his name? And which academy produced him? We should be keeping tabs on any young defenders they might be churning out!

 

And then who's that young defender the top clubs have been trailing recently? Luke somebody? Which club is he at?

 

If only we could turn out top defenders like those two....

 

.....OH!!

 

Both of whom are full-backs and technical players. They're not tough tackling defensive minded players, which is the point I was making.

[Tom28]

Just watched highlights, Shaw looks class. That's all.

[LGTL]

Does anyone else get the feeling Shaw is purposely being kept away fromt he 1st team at the moment?

[Boris Karloff]

Does anyone else get the feeling Shaw is purposely being kept away fromt he 1st team at the moment?

 

No, I don't think so. I'm a little surprised he hasn't featured more in the cup games, but he's not huge for his age and although skillful I'm not quite sure defensively he's ready for the first team and it could do him more harm than good at the moment.

[krissyboy31]

We've always been a more "technical" academy. Produced plenty of decent to good wingers/forwards - but how many good centrebacks, keepers or hard tackling midfielders?

Read this last night and was pretty much in agreement. Then tried to think when, if ever, have we produced a goalkeeper capable of playing in the first team? Grainger and Poke are the only two I could think of that came close and yet neither were anywhere good enough.

[oscar]

I thought results weren't as important as allowing the youngsters to develop. The articles lamenting our lack of senior international talent always note how we place too much emphasis on results early on. Might be worth remembering that now.

 

When do you worry about results then? At some stage the balance from development and winning has to change, and at 18years old is the time. Some of these might be in the first team saturday, is that game about developing? No it is win at all cost, so they need to experience the focus of winning somwhen!

[The Cat]

Read this last night and was pretty much in agreement. Then tried to think when, if ever, have we produced a goalkeeper capable of playing in the first team? Grainger and Poke are the only two I could think of that came close and yet neither were anywhere good enough.

 

Darryl Flahavan. He's played a couple of hundred games for Southend. Now at Bournemouth.

 

Scott Bevan is another. Neither are good enough for our first team though.

[Legod Third Coming]

Tommy Widdrington, Neil Maddison, Francis Benali

 

lets face it, maybe the current U18s aren't as good as they think they are and this will be a wake up call for them.

 

You are citing these as good footballers? Jesus, how low are your expectations...

 

If we can produce Bale, Walcott and Oxo why can we not produce Keane, Viera or Xavi - because frankly they are more the standard of Bale...

[Saint Charlie]

Forest have had a £1m bid from Chelsea for Bamford apparantly

[Doctoroncall]

He was a proper box to box playr and was one that got away. I think we released him, madness.

 

He was a late developer.

 

It's always hard to judge when you're given a player enough time and what that time is about - subs for first team, loan, short or long term, go abroad, stay close to Saints, what league...