U21 Euro 2013 Tournament

[Daffy Duck]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10xiy8_ita-1-0-hol_sport#.UbzVTfn0FCc

[danperkins]

Isco is just too good

http://youtu.be/BddDvoJ84sk

He is an outstanding talent.

[Corndog]

Morata continues to impress me. He won't get a chance at Madrid.

he has been great so far, pushed Rodrigo of Benfica out of the starting spot.

Illaramendi and Inigo Martinez have impressed me the most, most already knew about Isco, muniain, Tello, Alcantara, great offensive players but those two are excellant defensive players.

Illaramendi in particular (at Real Sociedad) looks to be Xabi Alonso's heir.
Sociedad will make anything between 30 and 50 mil out of those two if they play their cards right.

Carvahal was one of the stand out right-backs in Germany this year and he is not even certain of a starting spot due to Montoya of Barca and this is all at u21 level. the depth they have and will continue to have is mind boggling.

[Fernandinho]

Them and Germany are just that far ahead of everyone, although Germany's under 21's are being ruined by all the under 21's who are with their NT.

It will be interesting to see how they develop. By the sounds of things, Spain definitely have the chance to have a more balanced team in the next 5 or so years, Germany always seem very midfield heavy in the talent department.

[Corndog]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0bxGClDcis"]Asier Illarramendi vs.Germany U21 (2013 European U21 Championships) - YouTube[/ame]

Illaramendi running the show against Germany.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6_juXdeEcw"]DANIEL CARVAJAL | Tackles, Skills, Assists | Bayer Leverkusen | 2012/2013 (HD) - YouTube[/ame]

Carvajal, the reserve right back for their u21 team. Incidientally Real Madrid just bought him back from Leverkusen after he dominated his first season there, due to one of those clauses they always seem to have. Might give Arbeloa a run for his money next year.

[dww]

I don't think he calculates like that either. But it doesn't have to be a fully conscious process.

I don't think mentality is really the issue. I think the players aren't technically and tactically good enough.

Did you hear Rafael's (it may have been Fabio) comment about Brazil? If England's players think there's a weight of expectation when playing for their country, it's nothing compared to what it's like to be picked for Brazil.

I'd never really thought about it before but that must be right. I'm sure it's the same for Germany or Italy or Argentina. But, in general, they cope.

I was actually thinking of comments by Craig Bellamy that implied tactics training was just 'boring' rather than mentality in the way usually mentioned. Perhaps 'mindset' would have been better. Both terms are a bit inexact/poorly defined.

I completely agree that the expectation on English players is no more/less than those of many other countries. I'm not so sure that the problems are confined to purely footballing concerns in terms of technique and tactics though - so few English players leave these shores for example and their comments about experiences at international tournaments seem to imply that they find differences in culture boring or hard to adapt to. Obviously that could be them making excuses but that strikes me as a weakness too.

[peekay]

I was actually thinking of comments by Craig Bellamy that implied tactics training was just 'boring' rather than mentality in the way usually mentioned. Perhaps 'mindset' would have been better. Both terms are a bit inexact/poorly defined.

I completely agree that the expectation on English players is no more/less than those of many other countries. I'm not so sure that the problems are confined to purely footballing concerns in terms of technique and tactics though - so few English players leave these shores for example and their comments about experiences at international tournaments seem to imply that they find differences in culture boring or hard to adapt to. Obviously that could be them making excuses but that strikes me as a weakness too.

There was an article on soccernet which used the Bellamy quote you refer to about tactics to highlight the differences between British and continental players. And I was actually pleasantly surprised at that quote because on the pitch, I considered Bellamy to be one of the more intelligent and tactically aware players out there.

There was another article a few months ago where some coach (I dont remember , maybe it was Klopp? ) was praising Arrigo Sacchi's training drills where they repeat the same exercise over and over again till it became second nature.

[Shaggy]

There was an article on soccernet which used the Bellamy quote you refer to about tactics to highlight the differences between British and continental players. And I was actually pleasantly surprised at that quote because on the pitch, I considered Bellamy to be one of the more intelligent and tactically aware players out there.

There was another article a few months ago where some coach (I dont remember , maybe it was Klopp? ) was praising Arrigo Sacchi's training drills where they repeat the same exercise over and over again till it became second nature.

Sounds about right - Rafa's hero is Sacchi and took some of his methods and developed them.

[Neil Young]

I was actually thinking of comments by Craig Bellamy that implied tactics training was just 'boring' rather than mentality in the way usually mentioned. Perhaps 'mindset' would have been better. Both terms are a bit inexact/poorly defined.

I completely agree that the expectation on English players is no more/less than those of many other countries. I'm not so sure that the problems are confined to purely footballing concerns in terms of technique and tactics though - so few English players leave these shores for example and their comments about experiences at international tournaments seem to imply that they find differences in culture boring or hard to adapt to. Obviously that could be them making excuses but that strikes me as a weakness too.

I'm sure lack of exposure to different leagues is a drawback. Maybe even just staying at a club too long can be a problem. Perhaps Gerrard would have been even better if he'd tried his hand elsewhere. Of course it depends on the personality of the individual as well but you know, new experiences and all that.

I'm sure one of the reasons some players don't get on with Benitez for instance is that they lack the mindset/mentality in the way you suggest.

[Shaggy]

Pearce gone.

[Bender]

Pearce gone.

Pearce:Club football here i come

[Fernandinho]

Wonder who will replace him?

[danperkins]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te2gE0dKwas"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te2gE0dKwas[/ame]

Always laugh when i see this video

[Tee]

Feel sorry for him there...a little bit.

[RedReet]

Come on Borini!!!

Left work early for this.