Here is the video of the goals. A well worked goal by Bolton but Pat Roberts' dribbles for the second and fourth goals are the one's to watch. [video=youtube;69jHOwkWWCM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69jHOwkWWCM&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Fulham 0 Newcastle 1 (U18s) Youngsters Goal Shy Not a good day for the U18s either as they miss leading goal scorer Moussa Dembele amd suffer their first defeat of the season. The team was: Norman, Sheckleford (Elworthy 75), Donnelly, Burgess, Baba, Nabay (Smile 70), Sambou, Roberts, Evans, Williams, O’Halloran "Dean O’Halloran caused Newcastle problems early on but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 20th minute. A ball down the left was pulled back and a Newcastle player hit a well-struck shot that nestled into the back of the net. In the second half, George Williams forced a good save from the keeper, before Liam Donnelly hit the post with about 15 minutes left. But Fulham couldn’t find a way past a stubborn Newcastle rearguard as the Whites slipped to the loss. Under-18s Manager Steve Wigley said: “I have to say we didn’t really create many opportunities. We worked hard but when Liam hit the post late on that probably summed the day up. We tried hard but lacked a bit of quality in the final third. It’s always disappointing when you lose, but once Newcastle got in front they had something to hang onto. We just didn’t have the quality to break them down. We should have stopped the goal by preventing the cross coming in.”
Here's a video of the goal that took away our "undefeated" record: [video=youtube;KinS35z4HW8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KinS35z4HW8&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Another great win today from our under 18s,this time away to a strong Liverpool side 4 2 to the Cottagers.acording to reports it was a back to winning form after our last and only defeat this season to Newcastle.Dembele on scoring fom again, so far 12 goals this season. No wonder Hew Jennings & Steve Wigley "allegedly" wanted no interferance from Jol and his team.
Absolutey, rosc. The team today was: Rodak, Baba (Sheckleford), Evans, Donnelly, Burgess, Sambou (Nabay), O’Halloran, Smile, Dembele, Roberts (Leacock-McLeod), Williams. And here is the report of the match from the Club: "In-form striker Moussa Dembele capped a bright start for Fulham, adding the finishing touch to a jinking run from Patrick Roberts on 25 minutes, by curling in from 15 yards. Roberts and Dembele both went close to extending the Whites’ lead, before Daniel Trickett-Smith levelled from the spot on 40 minutes with the referee adjudging George Williams to have handled in the box. However, within minutes Wigley’s charges were back in front with George Williams making amends with a confident strike following a clever pass from Solomon Sambou. Liverpool responded positively after the break, and by pressurising their opponents higher up the pitch, gradually began to push Fulham back. However, the Whites used the space to their advantage, with Josh Smile setting Pat Roberts on his way. The England youth international ran at the Liverpool defence before smashing in from the edge of the box on the hour mark. Two minutes later, Fulham had a fourth, with the impressive Smile freeing Moussa Dembele with another probing pass. The French youngster kept his cool, finishing smartly beyond the home keeper to claim his 12th goal of the season. Harry Wilson snatched a late consolation for the Reds. Academy Director Huw Jennings said: “It was important that the boys got back into their momentum because, in truth, Saturday’s performance against Newcastle was pretty lacklustre. They’d won six games on the bounce, but came back down to earth last time out. But sometimes, especially at this level, defeat can serve you well because they were forced to react. Different experiences are vital for their development." “There were a lot of positives, and again, they showed that they know where the goal is. It was a bit up and down at times, but it was a deserved three points. Our two goals in the second half came against the run of play, but I thought our play probably warranted more in the first half. “We’ll be looking for more of the same when we make the trip to Leicester City on Saturday, and that will be another test for the boys. They [Leicester] are a bit more direct than Liverpool, so it’s another style to go up against. It will be our third game in eight days, with matches coming thick and fast before a short break in the fixture calendar. But, as always, we’ll go out and play our own game and hopefully continue the good work.”
Liverpool 2 Fulham 4 (U18s) Here is the video of the goals. The second is brilliant team work and what a shot. But the third, well have a look... [video=youtube;CQ42wzwtXiM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ42wzwtXiM&feature=player_embedded[/video]
One can never be surprised with MDs ability at a 17 and standing at just over 6ft, his ability is imense. Word is amongst the acadamy staff is that he could possibly be our next youngster to make the 1st team squad.. If there should be any criticism leveled at him,it is he should work on his speed. Definatly one to watch. In 2 yrs who knows.
Moussa dembele junior certainly does look the business, his eye for goal is frightening. What impresses me the most is his instinct to find the space at the right moment.
The trouble is he'll probably not stay with us. I think i read that Man United offered about a £1 million for him during the summer, which we turned down flat, but how long will it be before his head gets turned by either the glamour of the club or his agent blowing in his ear about a glittering future full of european nights if he moves. This is the problem with putting him into the first team. He may very well be able to hack it - Rooney did at a very similar age, so did Norman Whiteside and several others - but, like Rooney, the big boys snap them up.
True enough the big boys, both the Mans have and will be putting in thier offers. but if he should get a few games under his belt,and proves himself,our sell on fee would rise a bundle,but there again can you see Jol dropping his 2 aquisitions,with the problems surrounding him at the moment,that woul realy be loosing face.
It has been interesting that we have attracted so many young players who are linked with bigger clubs. During the summer a few headlines came up saying Fulham have beaten united or arsenal to major talent. The club must have some sort of policy in place to be attracting these guys to us. Big mo said years ago that he wanted us to be the man utd of the south, well I wonder if that is our philosophy. Entice these players with the promise that we want to produce a team of youngsters that can move up through the age ranges and then play for the first team as the same team. I may be dreaming but something is turning their heads towards Fulham.
Leicester 0 Fulham 1 (U18s) That Man Dembele - Again! Now it's lucky for some, 13 goals for the youngster as the U18s march on. The team was: Rodak, Donnelly, Burgess, Sambou, Evans, Hyndman, Smile (Baba 66), O'Halloran, Williams, Roberts, Dembele. "After a scrappy start, Fulham began to gain control. Moussa Dembele had a chance after a good drive by Solomon Sambou but saw his shot saved by the Foxes goalkeeper. Liam Donnelly then got free down the right and his cross was flicked towards goal by George Williams at the near post only for the Leicester keeper to again make a good save. At the other end, a rasping 25-yarder on the half-hour mark forced a magnificent save from Marek Rodak, who then stood strong to deny a Leicester strike who had gone clean through. From the rebound, the Foxes hit the post. Dembele saw a header blocked, before Emerson Hyndman went into the book for a cynical block on the half-way line. The first moment of action in the second half came in the 62nd minute when a magical pass by Hyndman was met by Dembele but the Frenchman saw his volley well saved. But the Whites didn’t have to wait long to make the breakthrough as a pass inside from Jordan Evans to Williams was pulled back to Moussa Dembele who fired home. The Whites were now well on top and Patrick Roberts and Williams both went close, before Rodak saved from a Leicester free-kick. Williams thought he’d added a second late on when he tapped home after Hyndman had hit the bar but his effort was ruled out for offside."
Yes Rooney got snapped up by the big boys... But for £23 million, one good season in the first team and then a massive fee would be a success for ourselves On another point does anybody who watches the u18s think Dembele could be ready for a Few first team chances? Was hoping to see him at Burton
I feel that Dembele should step up to the under 21 squad and if the improvement is maintained, next season some 1st team appearances,but at the moment no, as there would be to much preasure on him.
I am happy to bow to your knowledge Roscafre It just annoys me that we have arguably the best academy in the country and can't bring anyone through where as Villa and Southampton have numerous teenagers around the first team squad. United and Liverpool have a couple each West Brom are bringing there striker through!
Here is the Moussa Dembele winning goal on video: [video=youtube;-ECAK6nAUFU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ECAK6nAUFU&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Thanks for the video clip Cottager. Another great performance,a great move by Evans prior to the goal. All other club supporters i speak to have nothing but admiration for our Acadamy set up,which is second to none. Lets hope the recent dispute with Jol does not flare up again,as we could ill aford to loose this much in demand talented coaching staff.
Of course, the best way to stop something flaring up again is to keep banging on about it in online discussion forums, that's a much better approach than just letting it go!
Captain for your information i watch a one or two training sessions per week at MP,and there is a tension that still exists so me making a comment (thats what this forum is supposed to be about) have no baring whatsover on the aparent friction that is occuring.
