The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Mon 19th Aug)

just watching u23s on lutv free and live ken is playing

 

sorry it's on twitter strong team in front 1-0

 

2-0 ken

 

2-2

 

3-2 leeds

 

U23 match report on the U23 sticky above

Strange game for the last 15 minutes

 

Totally agree with you and Ell (and dare I risk it) a failing of Bielsa. All players tell you match fitness is completely different to just being fit so as he has decided he wants just a core squad of 18 players he should be getting them more involved with 20-25 minutes here and there so they are completely up to speed when the injuries hit.

 

Got them playing half games for the U23s by the look of it and sub appearances for first team, should be ready.

 

Hope so, not sure about the intensity of U23 football.

 

Six of the subs all played half a game today.

 

I get that, I'm just not sure how well U23 prepares you for a proper match at championship level. Is it like a proper match or glorified training session?

 

Not much else, we can do though is there.

 

Costa today was sublime and not seen faster feet for years. I mean with the ball on a piece of string.

Alioski played well, Bogusz scored but made a couple of errors, Fast Eddy is also ready and will score goals

 

Then what a bonus we're playing that well they can't get in at the moment, delicious

 

It'll never be exactly the same intensity as you don't have 35k people screaming as in the 1st team atmosphere. However, these guys are all hungry & playing for their lives - well, their careers. They all play Bielsaball, so are mostly capable of stepping into the first team seamlessly. If they're good enough, of course - and most are. Equally, the opposition we play are desperate to win & no quarter is given. Quite a few 'tackles' went in today. Millwall had some big lads today & tried to make it count. Our smaller lads made sure it didn't. Both sets of physios were called upon for injuries inflicted.

Could go on, but let me just put a number on it. I'd say the u23 matches are 80% of a 1st team game in most respects. As we play Bielsaball at all levels, it means that a 1st teamer could get match fit playing u23, whereas in the old ways of working, this was almost impossible.

Then again, I might be talking a load of rose tinted old bollox.

 

I didn't realise it was on live and only started watching after we made it 2-2, Leeds did look more composed than we did but the free kick in the fifth minute of injury time was given to Leeds after the ref booked a Leeds player, surely it should had been a free kick too Millwall?
Looking at the teams Leeds had about Six with first team experience whilst Millwall had one(Tom Elliott) and that's more a hindrance than a advantage, George Alexander and Billy Mitchell have appeared once for the first team, so overall our youngsters gave a good account of themselves against a more experienced and finely tuned Leeds side.

 

Didn't realise Millwall were that desperate,they will be putting in phill next should fit in well with a team of cloggers.

 

Wouldn't have that West Ham **** anywhere near our club, this is young Billy Mitchell, a good prospect coming through.

 

Nothing prepares you for first team football than actually playing first team football. Playing U23's is still better than training