Reserves / Youth teams thread 11/12

[Chris]

Speo again. 3-0!

[RedReet]

Feel a bit sorry for Jay this season. He deserves some first team football but unfortunately Lucas doesn't miss many games and we can't really risk letting him go on loan as he's the only other definsive minded midfielder we've got.

[dww]

Feel a bit sorry for Jay this season. He deserves some first team football but unfortunately Lucas doesn't miss many games and we can't really risk letting him go on loan as he's the only other definsive minded midfielder we've got.

In general we are short of CMs in the squad IMO. Selling Meireles and not replacing him remains an odd decision to me. Even if the replacement had been a younger player. We don't have much genuine competition for Adam and Lucas, considering Henderson is often deployed on the wing.

[Daffy Duck]

I think that his attacking abilities get overlooked too often. I remember him always being a threat for the goal from distance, or looking to make a sharp forward (and in my memory successful) pass followed by a run which enables his target to play a one-two with him, or generally exhibiting good of the ball movement around the opposition area. People usually see him as a reserve for Lucas, or suggest playing him alongside Lucas so he'd only add some more defensive edge to our midfield battle, but I think that he also has a lot to offer in attack, and would like to see him get more chances. Especially now, when we seem to struggle with finding a good balance in midfield.

[BringbackBiscan]

Missed the match again. What was the penalty like that Coates gave away, did he do much wrong?

[RedReet]

In general we are short of CMs in the squad IMO. Selling Meireles and not replacing him remains an odd decision to me. Even if the replacement had been a younger player. We don't have much genuine competition for Adam and Lucas, considering Henderson is often deployed on the wing.

I think losing Gerrard again was a blow. Despite what many of us think about Gerrard in an orthodox CM role, I’m sure Kenny had plans for him in that position. I’m not sure if we’d have kept Meireles if he’d have had much more game time that Spearing, despite what many of us thought.

I think that his attacking abilities get overlooked too often. I remember him always being a threat for the goal from distance, or looking to make a sharp forward (and in my memory successful) pass followed by a run which enables his target to play a one-two with him, or generally exhibiting good of the ball movement around the opposition area. People usually see him as a reserve for Lucas, or suggest playing him alongside Lucas so he'd only add some more defensive edge to our midfield battle, but I think that he also has a lot to offer in attack, and would like to see him get more chances. Especially now, when we seem to struggle with finding a good balance in midfield.

At reserve level Spearing played with plenty of attacking intent and looked a cracking wee player. IIRC he hogged all the set-pieces too. His biggest handicap was his size which had many people writing him off. I likened his progression last year to that of Lucas, both very capable of getting forward and scoring goals at a lesser level, but possibly decided like Lucas he has more chance of making it at the top by playing a bit deeper, in a more disciplined role.

He got a bit of grief at times last year, but from I’ve seen he’s rarely put a foot wrong at all levels from the Academy to the first team and I'd have no concerns with him in the team sheet against any opposition.

[BubbaZanetti]

What was the penalty like that Coates gave away, did he do much wrong?

Just watched highlights on the offal. Unfortunately, Coates didn't have a good game. Mistimed tackles (inc the pen, tripped the player with a lazy challenge) & just looked off the pace overall.

Eccleston scored two nice goals though

Flanagan was good going forward but got caught out defensively a couple of times.

[BringbackBiscan]

ah not great to hear. I've high hopes for the lad, and at this level he should be looking exceptional. Hopefully just an off day.

[BigChief]

Controversial decision but I'm going to nominate Coady MOTM. Despite Spearing and Ecclston's two goals and Wilson's fantastic positioning all game. I wondered what the hell Coady did for us, today I found out. He was very effective in a quiet unassuming way.

[dww]

I think losing Gerrard again was a blow. Despite what many of us think about Gerrard in an orthodox CM role, I’m sure Kenny had plans for him in that position. I’m not sure if we’d have kept Meireles if he’d have had much more game time that Spearing, despite what many of us thought.

I'm not sure that the point has to be how much play Meireles specifically would have had, but I'm pretty certain another attack minded CM would have got a lot of game time. I said in the summer that we pretty much had to assume Gerrard was going to be out most of the time and get a squad together that coped with that.

I can see the logic in selling Meireles but I can't see the logic in not replacing him, ideally with a CM who offered a goal scoring threat. Personally I'd have preferred a more controlling CM but it is clear that is not the direction Kenny is looking to go.

[little dave hedgehog]

odd decision to let both him and aquilani go. i'd have thought he could do a job there.

[Mostar]

Highlights of LFC reserves vs Sunderland reserves 5-1

http://rutube.ru/tracks/5037294.html?v=0cdfeb26ecc704f6d1a83a76824c0c8d&autoStart=true&bmstart=1000

[Mostar]

Coates goal from LFC official Youtube page


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vaEQ3yizU4"]Coates's first goal in red - YouTube[/ame]

[BringbackBiscan]

The U18's take on the mancs at half 1. Game on the interweb and the telly channel.

[pondus]

The U18's take on the mancs at half 1. Game on the interweb and the telly channel.

Dunn with a goal after 1 minute