It's a good idea but

[dubai_phil]

Let's face it, using an old college term, there is empirical evidence that the concept of creating something with kids does work.

 

Unfortunately, even in the most famous case, it has already taken a number of years

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/3074586/Carlos-Vela-salutes-Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wengers-faith-in-youth---Football.html

 

In that time by their own standards, Arsenal have actually been a failure. Perhaps this will be the year.

 

Compare their age groups with those of our squad and actually we are trying to build with in the main inexperienced young men, not simply kids.

 

Anyway, the concept obviously works, the planning is obviously sound.

 

Just seems the execution is not what it needs to be at SMS.

 

Perhaps IF those kids had been given more loan time or Saints experience in the past couple of years it may have helped. But FWIW on the "uberfan" argument, not many empty spaces at the Emirates Stadium to watch THEIR youth team in the PL.

 

(

[1965onwards]

Lets face it,we are not expecting to win anything other than survival this season,then take it from there.

 

At the end of the day,no matter how athletic or skillful players are,its whats between the ears that really counts,and it is that that seperates the top players from the rest.

 

These players lack knowhow,which results in them making wrong decisions.Better players

make more correct decisions than lesser players.Unfortunately,the players are required to play at a tempo that they have not been used to,this will result in the short term in many incorrect decisions.

 

It would be of significant help to these inexperienced players if they played at a slower tempo for the moment.They need to build their attacks more patiently and wait for the right movement and pass,as they do on the continent.This will have the added benefit of retaining possession longer in the game and at the same time our opponents will have the ball less.

 

This slower tempo will have a psychological effect on our opponents,who will play slower themselves,which will considerably help in our defending.There will be those who will poo-poo this statement,but i guarantee that this will be the case for the most part.

 

More possession will result in increased confidence,which will result in better,more effective play.It will also help if indeed there are stamina issues with the players.

 

The priority at the moment must be to stabilise a dramatic deterioration in our standard of play.JP is trying to get the players to run before they can walk.A period of crawling would be highly benificial.

[RobM]

Just posted this in a new thread, but it would be better off in here....

 

Is youth the problem.... or is it talent and ability?

 

If we say our problem is the young squad we have, we're saying that youth cannot compete with more senior players. So why did Arsenal's youth team do so well the other night?

 

Obvious answer.. their youth players are better than ours.

 

So perhaps we're all too focused on the fact that we're fielding a youth team in the CCC. Perhaps the actual problem is these players simply aren't good enough. The old adage 'if you're good enough you're old enough' has a lot of truth in it. Sadly, we have no choice.

 

After all the criticism our beloved previous manager got for not 'giving youth a chance' it does strike me that perhaps, just perhaps, he got it right.... these players are not good enough to play at this level.

 

Some are of course, mainly those we are afraid of losing.

[um pahars]

Two very quick thoughts on this one:

 

1. Don't the majority of those players just get rolled out for this competition. i.e. they are not expected to turn out for 7 games in 21 games and perform in a division of cloggers (with shiyte refs).

 

2. They actually have some serious talent in there.

[dubai_phil]

Just posted this in a new thread, but it would be better off in here....

 

Is youth the problem.... or is it talent and ability?

 

If we say our problem is the young squad we have, we're saying that youth cannot compete with more senior players. So why did Arsenal's youth team do so well the other night?

 

Obvious answer.. their youth players are better than ours.

 

So perhaps we're all too focused on the fact that we're fielding a youth team in the CCC. Perhaps the actual problem is these players simply aren't good enough. The old adage 'if you're good enough you're old enough' has a lot of truth in it. Sadly, we have no choice.

 

After all the criticism our beloved previous manager got for not 'giving youth a chance' it does strike me that perhaps, just perhaps, he got it right.... these players are not good enough to play at this level.

 

Some are of course, mainly those we are afraid of losing.

 

I actually think they are good enough.

 

(ooh DP controversial!)

 

But

 

ah - ok

 

people develop physically and mentally at different rates, and hence different ages, what I think is happening is that in order to succeed "with kids" some are ready for 3 games a week, some for only one a month. I saw Lallana a couple of times some years ago and TBH he looked out of his depth, he was still developing.

 

Now the concept I think is sound, the players are good enough, BUT I actually think we don't have ENOUGH of them. In some ways we are trying to get the youth team of 2/3 years ago to be ready to play in the CCC all at the same time, human development means that they aren't ready. Because we didn't really have a process for bringing the kids on from 18-21 previously, many were let go or of course sold for big bucks.

 

The depth just is not there this season.

 

So the OBVIOUS solution is bring in a Gasmi/Schneiderlin or two and some loan players. there are many CCC players like Wotton on 5-7k per week or less who could do a job when surrounded by a few quality kids who are carefully managed.

 

One thing I learnt this week was a mate did some sums and reckons that Euell, Thomas, SJ & Skacel are costing the club something close to 2million pound in wages this season. That amount of money could have paid for 6 loanees/wise old CCC heads and a couple of extra kids.

 

Without restarting the "those 4 should play argument" I think a lot of our problems and the success or failure of "surviving" this season is as much about a lack of numbers for JP to choose from as it is about numbers through the gates.

 

Most of these kids can make it, just it won't be all at once.

[Whitey Grandad]

Two very quick thoughts on this one:

 

1. Don't the majority of those players just get rolled out for this competition. i.e. they are not expected to turn out for 7 games in 21 games and perform in a division of cloggers (with shiyte refs).

 

2. They actually have some serious talent in there.

That Vela looks useful. Any chance of getting him here on loan?

[Weston Saint]

Two very quick thoughts on this one:

 

1. Don't the majority of those players just get rolled out for this competition. i.e. they are not expected to turn out for 7 games in 21 games and perform in a division of cloggers (with shiyte refs).

 

2. They actually have some serious talent in there.

 

Yep, imo you are correct.

[saintwarwick]

Two very quick thoughts on this one:

 

1. Don't the majority of those players just get rolled out for this competition. i.e. they are not expected to turn out for 7 games in 21 games and perform in a division of cloggers (with shiyte refs).

 

2. They actually have some serious talent in there.

 

1. Correct they will only play in the league cup whereas a lot of our players have played in most of our games this season and make up the bulk of our first team playing against men and cloggers. Playing four games in ten days can't be good for the kids as well and by the Coventry game it will be seven games in 21 days, even experienced premiership players complain when they play two games a week.

 

2. Absolutely, perhaps we can get some on loan (if only).