Here is the official match report, but i'd like to comment on some of the stand out players..both good..and not so good. http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/121128-academy-fa-youth-cup-report-v-leeds-515160.aspx Watford were outclassed in this match by a seemingly much bigger, stronger and perhaps even more skillful team. Wilks, the goalkeeper played well. He wasn't at fault for the goals particularly though there was a lack of communication with the back line. He didn't move off his line much but he's young, and hopefully with the right coaching, he'll learn. There were times when the defenders seemed all over the place...they had pace, but were turned way too easily and found it difficult to get the ball, and when they did get it, inaccurate passing let them down. Balls were overhit, and at times it was obvious which ball they were going to play but it was read better by a Leeds player than by our own. Therefore, however hard they tried at times to get out of the Watford half, Leeds managed to win the ball back and get back on the attack. Johnson (the Captain) however, stood out. He did well to win the ball back often, and seemed to be well organised, and strong. Cox, in midfield had a good game, chasing everything and winning a few tackles, but his hard work was in vain when he played the ball and it was lost almost immediately. Bawling was a disappointment. He didn't seem to know what to do with the ball when he had it, and often lost it, by inaccurate passing or just kicking wildly and hoping. Mensah...(and i'll try not to be too biased ) had sparks of genius, but all too often he didn't get his chance to shine because there were so few times that the ball managed to get to him...on the downside, he waited for the ball to come, and there were times he could have tried to go and get it, but when things moved around it bit and he sat a little deeper, he managed to get on the ball more, and showed a lot of skill, and oh wow, soo much pace! He's definitely one to watch! (apparently Villa are interested btw). As for the subs, i thought Jakubiak was outstanding..i had to wonder why he hadn't started. He was everywhere, chasing everything and so keen. All in all, it seemed a bit like men versus boys, but there were good signs for the future, though at times, they were hard to spot. I would have hung around at the end but i was so blinkin' cold i had to get home and get warm! I've never shivered so much! lol.
Thanks for that H.. I did read elsewhere that generally our lads were a year younger than their team.
Must have something to do with birthdates - remember there's been players in the Euro U-21 tournaments who've been 23 years old! The difference there is the 2 year qualification period.
