AbouCuéllar
Author of A-M essays 📚
I feel the same to an extent re the U18 compared to the current U23s. Patino IMO will be a slow burner more than anything else, I can see him developing really, really well. Just think people expect him to be first team ready much sooner than he will be.
I think the distribution of talent in the current set-up isn't as good. The good ones are really good (Azeez, Taylor-Hart, Oyegoke for e.g all look very promising) and the not so good ones really stand apart from their peers. The signings have been quite poor aswell except for Moller, who's interesting but not got that kind of impact you'd like him to have (yet). Akinola ruins every game for me, I think he's got some ability but he just doesn't have enough quality over 90 and he's very frustrating. I'm also not terribly convinced by Kirk and Lopez (I think I've seen enough to suggest Lopez won't be a thing here - I want to see more of Ogungbo at LB). I think Alebiosu has improved a lot but he's not as good as Oyegoke IMO and Norton-Cuffy has arguably been better in the games he's played.
Also, as a fan of Cottrell, I haven't been impressed with him as much in recent games. He's shown clear limitations physically despite his combative and determined playstyle. I think this will always count against him, much in the same way that I think Matt Smith - while quality - will always have that problem here.
The current U18s IMO have a bit more about them in terms of an even distribution. The only area where I feel they lack is in the wider areas but I think the team below will have guys like Petrie making a difference. The defenders are better for sure. Monlouis, Awe, Ogungbo and Norton-Cuffy is a far stronger backline IMO, and I think Oyegoke is one of few who challenges it in terms of potential.
RE Taylor-Hart, I think the interest from other clubs has definitely made negotiations difficult.
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Just on today's game, I wasn't impressed. Usual suspects were quite poor IMO. Lopez and Akinola were poor IMO, although Lopes had some decent interceptions. They were both very poor in possession. Thought Kirk was a little overawed aswell. Oyegoke and Alebiosu fared far better, although the latter really isn't that great in the final 3rd. Oyegoke was the best of the backline IMO. Shame he got sent off in the last game, would have made that game far more equal.
Nelson was good when he had the ball but he was very much starved of it for most of the 2nd half. Patino went off and any impetus we had died with his substitution. His replacement Trae Coyle looked rusty in comparison. Taylor-Hart had some good moments but also struggled to get in the game. Cottrell again seemed to be overpowered by the opposition, particularly Doyle in midfield. Moller was OK.
Our best player was easily Okonkwo. Game should have been 6-0 but he did very well keeping that score down. Nelson was very good in the first half; Patino and Oyegoke also did quite well. It's another 90 in the bank for Nelson but, just like last U23 game, this did absolutely nothing for him other than keep him somewhat match fit and he didn't have the added benefit of a starring performance either.
What's the deal with Cirjan?