Dont think we should be too hard on the lads today though. Came up against an accomplished side and didn't play anywhere near as well as they could. Did well, albeit with help from Pools poor finishing, to keep the score to 1-0. Hopefully thats the toughest game this group has to offer!
It's the under 18s that matter the most. The u21s are essentially just the reserves with the occasional inform u18. The team cohesion is lost on the u21s!
Can't complain. They were just better than us and should have scored more but for some poor finishing. The u21s have some clearly talented individuals, but don't look like much of a team. I guess shifting the persoonnel around a lot probably contributes to this. Ours was a young side with Turnbull, Targett, Chambers and Sinclair still eligible for the u18s with Young, Stephens, Moore and Curtis only a year up. Their team looked more like a reserve team than a youth team, but playing to a higher standard is the whole point of the u21s and the kids need to get used to it.
Agree with this, also a lesson to youngsters looking to join an acadamy, 3 or 4 of that Liverpool team would be playing first team football at a smaller club, yet have not got a sniff at Pool. Smith thier leftback was very good though and thier captain in midfield- only problem is he plays in the Gerrard position.
The u21s are a valuable step between the u18 and the first team so our young players can test themselves against strong opposition. Competing against more experienced players from around the world is tough, but that's what footbal is about and the kids need exposure to it. Results aren't that important, but being vompetitive and showing what is needd for the first team is important. Hunter has plenty of work to do.
Didn't get to see the game due to other commitments, but hoping to watch it tomorrow afternoon when I get in. Sounds like Jack Stephens in particular had a good game ... bodes well for the future. Shame for a few of the lads who are talents (Turnbull & Sinclair) but it's what the U21 league is there for, and that's to play against this sort of team and improve.
Sounds like it - a 1-0 defeat against a very good Liverpool side they must have done something right as a unit.
In previous matches our u21s had mixed results and I was surprised they qualified for the elite group. The u18s tend to be a settled side, whereas the u21s vary with who is available, so not strictly as important as the u18s. Good for them to be against good opposition.
