Lineup

We need to get used to seeing academy lads on the bench. There's no point having the academy if we aren't going to give these lads opportunities to play. I really don't mind it.

We spend a fortune on the academy every year and a current rates, we're producing profitable players roughly once every 10 years.

Yoganathan, Bland and to an extent Barratt have made the grade so far, they only did that by being blooded and loaned. I've never seen woodcock or Kelly play, but chances are they're not good enough...yet. The thing is, unless we allow them minutes, they never will be.

We really do have to make the Academy pay it's own way, whether that's providing us with players for our own squad, or players we can sell for a profit, hopefully both go hand in hand.

 

Would've thought this but maybe swap Yoganathan and Phillips?

 

Where ever they start they'll changing just watch.. nothing set in stone these days

 

Not too concerned about the front three. I think they can be all be interchangeable and I don't necessarily see DKD playing as the winger rather on the left and will come inside and alternate with McGoldrick. The width might come from Yoganathan and I think that's why he's got the nod over Russell as he's got the engine to get up and down the left side.

We'll see in 40 minutes.

 

What position does Woodcock play?

 

I've not seen any of pre season barring the few highlights. I have read that that young lad Graham had played really well in a couple of games? Odd that he's not made the bench, unless it's a rotation thing with the young lads? Time will tell I suppose.

 

I couldn't care less who plays where in all honesty. As long as we play with that intensity and purpose.

COYR!!

 

Not seen Woodcock play, see he is named on the bench. What did he look like pre season?

 

Coach.

 

Or Russell has played a lot for Jamaica and they are managing his fitness / game time

 

He's a defender but not sure if he's a full back or a centre half

 

Russell returned to training a few weeks later than the rest because of the Gold Cup, so they may just be managing his fitness. Pleased to see Vimal starting though.

 

Left-back. His twin brother is also in the academy.

 

Yep, could be any number of reasons. My point was it's not necessarily directly linked to him being likely to be leaving.

 

Conor must rate Woodcock which is good to see. I think he's still an under 18 so potentially a prospect.

I see Sky have Cotter down as an out and out full back rather than wing back today. I would much rather see him in our side today as our pacey, attacking RB option over Mael.

Looks like Dallas isn't in the plans either. We need a striker for sure if so.

 

Anyone worked out the formation yet?

 

Flat back 10 and hope their defence gift us goals.

Bizarrely it's worked.

 

I particularly like this high press we're employing which involves all 10 of our outfield players lining up on our own 18 yard line.

And yet we're 2-0 up. It's very weird.

 

Got that wrong. We scored 3 goals, but I didn't think we posed much attacking threat, they basically gifted us 3 goals and a couple of other chances.

But on the flip side of that, I thought we defended admirably throughout, despite losing our two center halves to injury and a sending off. I thought Earl, who looked shaky at left back, looked very assured in the centre. Cooper (brain fart aside when he chucked it out of his hands) looked excellent.

I thought DKD was wasted for most of the game, sort of given a free role between the left wing and supporting the striker in the centre, but didn't really know where he should be. And then scored an immaculate goal.

But my take away from it all is that we defended as a team superbly and I wasn't expecting that.