Everton v Wigan - 17 Feb- 7.00PM

[Tony’s Carp]

Did anyone else other than me think the ball was holding up in the grass at times ?

Yeah I’m sure there are bigger picture reasons for it but the grass definitely looked long and was holding up the ball. Another reason really why serious analysis of it as a football match is kind of null.

 

[jazzy]

`Wigan is a good academy, even at Cat 2. Over 40% of their first team squad and starters last season are academy graduates, so they work hard with them.

A fair few of those boys will be in the pipeline for their first team, whereas our academy (and most PL academies) work differently in terms of expectations.

And, let's be honest, there must have been some heavy expectations on our lads last night: how many have played under 10k expecting fans?

That kind of pressure will influence, so I am not looking into it too much.

Except that we also lost to Plymouth.

 

[PhilM]

Except that we also lost to Plymouth.

They may simply be a less-able group, which can happen. My son is in the academy system, and you do have variations between year groups within a club.

Although, I also know it can be more complex than that, because while winning is important the development of the players should always come first.

I've seen top-teams comfortably beaten by 'lesser' clubs at the academy level as they are trying to implement things that are more important in the long term.

 

[Nymzee]

Except that we also lost to Plymouth.

And they beat Liverpool. What's your point?

 

[Tony’s Carp]

They may simply be a less-able group, which can happen. My son is in the academy system, and you do have variations between year groups within a club.

Although, I also know it can be more complex than that, because while winning is important the development of the players should always come first.

I've seen top-teams comfortably beaten by 'lesser' clubs at the academy level as they are trying to implement things that are more important in the long term.

It’s definitely not even a less able group, they put 7 past Forest in the cup and looked really good under Baines, like you say though individual results are just highly variable at that level and not a massive barometer.

For one example, Arsenal’s 18s lost recently to Reading, but I’m sure they’re not panicking about it. Especially when both their and our 18s are missing their best individual eligible player (Armstrong, Nwaneri) because they have moved to senior level, which is the real indicator of the academy doing its job.

 

[mahermi1]

It's not really individual results that count for me, it is which player or any come through the Academy and into the first team. Was very impressed with Braiden Graham last night, looks a player, if he keeps progressing the way he is he has a chance, fingers crossed for him.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Decent food

Wanna walk us through these please?

 

[Rita_Poon]

Here are some photographs I took from tonight's game.

A magnificent venue, which tonight's result did not do justice to. If you're attending the second event and it's cold, wear thick gloves!

The food looked excellent, the steepness of the stand was impressive and the views of the pitch were second to none. On the odd occasion when the supporters burst into song or celebration, the acoustics seemed decent. We'll need a bit of time to settle in, but I really hope the atmosphere (and result) is better at the second test event!

One thing that could have been better is the stairwells. I felt they were too narrow and this led to a fair bit of foot congestion.

It's beginning to feel real now. Very real.

Strewth it's clean!

 

[Bluboyz]

Sorry to hear that

All the very best for your future good health. All part of the blue family here.

 

[SLAVEN BILIC]

Did anyone else other than me think the ball was holding up in the grass at times ?

It was a rush job to get a pitch ready for the test events. Apparently it’s getting ripped up and laid properly in time for the new season.

 

[Bluboyz]

That was a weakened side last night. Lots of 16 year olds including Ray. I can assure you it wasnt just Harrison Armstrong who was missing. First choice keeper injured too and others. Moses and Olayiwola who came on are both 16. If you dont know the facts dont jump to unsubstantiated conclusions.

 

[Bryan+]

Here are some photographs I took from tonight's game.

A magnificent venue, which tonight's result did not do justice to. If you're attending the second event and it's cold, wear thick gloves!

The food looked excellent, the steepness of the stand was impressive and the views of the pitch were second to none. On the odd occasion when the supporters burst into song or celebration, the acoustics seemed decent. We'll need a bit of time to settle in, but I really hope the atmosphere (and result) is better at the second test event!

One thing that could have been better is the stairwells. I felt they were too narrow and this led to a fair bit of foot congestion.

It's beginning to feel real now. Very real.

If the lads don’t open a montirex pop up near there they are stupid, the amount of clones there.

 

[PhilM]

It’s definitely not even a less able group, they put 7 past Forest in the cup and looked really good under Baines, like you say though individual results are just highly variable at that level and not a massive barometer.

For one example, Arsenal’s 18s lost recently to Reading, but I’m sure they’re not panicking about it. Especially when both their and our 18s are missing their best individual eligible player (Armstrong, Nwaneri) because they have moved to senior level, which is the real indicator of the academy doing its job.

My son once played against three games against Grimsby's academy, which is category three. They lost two of the games and drew one.

Quite simply, Grimsby had been told to get the ball up the pitch quickly and score, whereas the boys were unequivocally told to retain the ball and play out.

The number of goals scored and the result were unimportant, as it was all about building a way of playing and applying set routines. The coaches were content.

Now I am not saying that's what this was last night, rather that results at academy football often don't paint a true picture.

 

[Nymzee]

That was a weakened side last night. Lots of 16 year olds including Ray. I can assure you it wasnt just Harrison Armstrong who was missing. First choice keeper injured too and others. Moses and Olayiwola who came on are both 16. If you dont know the facts dont jump to unsubstantiated conclusions.

Only Armstrong and Doug were missing from a full strength U18 side that started mate.

 

[Bluboyz]

Only Armstrong and Doug were missing from a full strength U18 side that started mate.

What about Catesby?