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The Future of Football - it's in the youth

Discussion in 'Chelsea' started by crocarno, Jun 27, 2012.

  1. crocarno

    crocarno Member

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    Having watched England's disappointing (but not unexpected) departure early from yet another international competition, at some point someone is going to have to take a good and proper look at why the sum of England's parts never equals or exceeds the total. Never have so many good (not "World Class" as many pundits say) players failed so frequently on the big stage.

    Being from Italian parentage, clearly I was ultimately happy with the result, but started looking at the 1st choice 11 player to player (Italy vs. England). You then look at other Countries (Greece, Croatia etc.) on a player to player basis and wonder how their groups of players manage to exceed their expectations.

    Lots of it has to be back to grass-roots football as well as what happens in schools. My son (who is certainly not the most gifted defender/footballer around) enjoys playing for a local under 11's team. At school, in most of the things they do, taking part (in anything) is celebrated, with no real regard to rewarding winners.....otherwise the losers (i.e. everyone else) will get upset and the poor mummies & daddies will have to deal with sulking children. We breed complacency and teach children to accept 2nd best and say that it is ok to fail.

    Then consider the format (FA led) of the children's game. This coming season, 10 & 11 year olds will be playing 4x15 minute quarters (yes, quarters) with a goal that is permitted to be 21ft x 7ft. Can you really imagine a 10/11 year old standing in a goal 7ft high and (more to the point) 21ft wide? What will this encourage.....oh yes, the boys (and girls) that can kick it the hardest, just hoofing it at the goal, along with despondant goalies & defenders.

    On the continent, particularly at the younger ages, they are very fond of small goals/targets. This forces players to pass & move and get in good positions and "create" goals, rather than the hit and hope approach.

    So, will English football change anytime so? Unlikely.
     
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  2. chelsea - over 100 years of history

    chelsea - over 100 years of history Well-Known Member

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    You may not be aware but this is currently being addressed by the FA with a new football centre being opened and smaller pitches etc all being implemented. Its about 30 years late but there you go.

    I also think the press play a large part with the build em up knock em down mentality.
     
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  3. crocarno

    crocarno Member

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    chelsea- over 100 years of history.

    Thanks for the FA update, I wasn't aware that they are re-examining the pitch size etc. I just found it astounding the changes to the format that this year the kids will be experiencing.

    Along with the increase in goal size and x4 quarters, the pitches are bigger, it goes for 7's to 9's and offsides come in. Quite a lot for a 10-11 year old to take in. For me, the goals (which, I think can be just 16ft wide!) are the main issue, as this will definitely take away the pass & move and just result in the hoof and whallop tactics.... a bit like Stoke.
     
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  4. Chelsea Pensioner

    Chelsea Pensioner Well-Known Member

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    Seems to me also that England rarely get the manager right. Despite their sometimes good records overseas, Capello, Ericson, the disastrous McLaren, none of them have the qualities England need.
    England have the most over rated players going round, and have done for many years. When you use the term
    " world class" for players like Rooney, then the alarm bells should be ringing. he is light years from world class and proves it every time he pulls on the national shirt. Carroll, Joleon,Wallcott,Parker,Hart, Johnson, Henderson are all good players, but nothing more than that. Ashley Cole and a fading Terry are the only real class players in the Team.
    Problem is, they Allthink they ARE world class, and behave accordingly.So delusional have they become because of the media circus that they need a serious manager to pull the rug out , and let them pick themselves up. Hiddink was one, once Brian Clough was another. The FA would poop their pants at the thought, and did in Cloughs case, so we got Bobby Robson, and did OK. but we never get better, never build up for the future. No long term plan. The FA need to look at the National Cricket Team to learn how to build from the ashes ( pun intended ) and move forward with a plan in place.
     
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  5. bluemoon2

    bluemoon2 Well-Known Member

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    Croc--Our youth squad are one of the best, if not , the best in the country, with all they've achieved in the FA Youth Cup, but will they graduate to the 1st team? Very unlikely! I remember when I first started watching the Blues, we were always working hard to avoid the drop, while our juniors were the best in the land! Tommy Doc came along --promoted almost all the kids into the first team and we came damn close to winning the league! Lessons to be learned there!
     
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  6. CFCTEL

    CFCTEL Active Member

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    Look what McCreadie did in 76-77! Not in the top flight granted but all the same?
     
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  7. luckywerthers

    luckywerthers Active Member

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    wasn't hoddle running an academy in spain for all the youngsters that never made it through at their clubs. i remember seeing a bit about it and it was nearly always because they were deemed to small and not strong enough that they were dropped.. hoddle assisted by rix was training them up and getting them contracts with european clubs, therefore basically keeping them in football.
     
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