U21s: West Brom vs United

[top1whoisman]

A bit of academy football before the international break. Nice to see a PL2 live on MUTV, hasn’t been too many this season.

We’re currently 14th (26 teams) in the table with 20 points from 14 games. West Brom are 20th, 16 from 16.

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[MDFC Manager]

A bit of academy football before the international break. Nice to see a PL2 live on MUTV, hasn’t been too many this season.

We’re currently 14th (26 teams) in the table with 20 points from 14 games. West Brom are 20th, 16 from 16.

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Huddlestone needs to bulk up more.

 

[saik]

The last time I watched the u21s against Derby, we were absolutely atrocious defensively that day. Gifting goals like candies. Hopefully we play better this time around.

 

[top1whoisman]

The last time I watched the u21s against Derby, we were absolutely atrocious defensively that day. Gifting goals like candies. Hopefully we play better this time around.

Wouldn’t expect much better unfortunately. We’re quite low in numbers at the moment. Quite a few U18s players who would probably be playing here are injured. Evident by Kobbie in the U21s being the only United player called up to the England youth squads.

I’m afraid this won’t be pretty football. Not many interesting players available, hope to see at least Williams & Wheatley start. Otherwise it’ll be the same old with Murray, Huddlestone, Ogunneye, Collyer, McNeill etc.

 

[saik]

Wouldn’t expect much better unfortunately. We’re quite low in numbers at the moment. Quite a few U18s players who would probably be playing here are injured. Evident by Kobbie in the U21s being the only United player called up to the England youth squads.

I’m afraid this won’t be pretty football. Not many interesting players available, hope to see at least Williams & Wheatley start. Otherwise it’ll be the same old with Murray, Huddlestone, Ogunneye, Collyer, McNeill etc.

Yea, same as you I'm looking forward to watching Williams, Wheatley along with Missin. I don't think Missin is injured? He didn't play for the u18s so I expect him to start here. I like him, he has improved as the season progressed. Same with Wheatley.

Also, I wish we just give the same gametime to some other u18 player rather than playing Huddlestone every game. He has been part of that defensive shambles due to his lack of speed.

 

[top1whoisman]

Yea, same as you I'm looking forward to watching Williams, Wheatley along with Missin. I don't think Missin is injured? He didn't play for the u18s so I expect him to start here. I like him, he has improved as the season progressed. Same with Wheatley.

Also, I wish we just give the same gametime to some other u18 player rather than playing Huddlestone every game. He has been part of that defensive shambles due to his lack of speed.

At least I haven’t heard about any injury to Missin.

Probably the positive thing about us not having
many players to choose from is the fact that there could be a chance of another Ibragimov cameo. Amass would be a nice bonus.

The U18s don’t actually play until 6 April, unless the PL Cup final takes place before that. So there I guess there’s a chance for a few to be involved today. Mantato & Curley would be nice.

 

[saik]

The U18s don’t actually play until 6 April, unless the PL Cup final takes place before that. So there I guess there’s a chance for a few to be involved today. Mantato & Curley would be nice

Good point. Hopefully, more of the u18 regulars can get some gametime here.

 

[top1whoisman]

Harrison

Ogunneye
Kambwala
Aljofree
Murray

Collyer
Baumann

Ennis
Forson
Missin

McNeill

Subs: Plumley, Fredricson, Curley, Williams, Mantato

 

[top1whoisman]

Semi-exciting bench at least. Looking forward to watching Kambwala, Forson & Missin. That’s pretty much it when it comes to the starters.

 

[saik]

Harrison

Ogunneye
Kambwala
Aljofree
Murray

Collyer
Baumann

Forson
Ennis
Missin

McNeill

Subs: Plumley, Fredricson, Curley, Williams, Mantato

Good team. No Huddlestone, thankfully. Where's Wheatley?

 

[top1whoisman]

Good team. No Huddlestone, thankfully. Where's Wheatley?

Not sure, he was on the bench on Saturday, I think.

 

[saik]

Not sure, he was on the bench on Saturday, I think.

He was an unused sub, yeah. We started that game with Musa up top with Biancheri and Mantato on the either side of him.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

Quite happy with that team - good to see some of the promising players form the U18 are involved: Harrison, Missin, Baumann, Williams, Mantato.

Surprised to see Williams only on the bench as I do rate him and he was only a sub for the U18's as well. And shame there's no Amass or Wheatley at all.

Good to see the likes of Kambwala and Forson getting some game time - makes a lot more sense getting minutes into Kambwala rather than playing Huddlestone.

 

[Gungerz]

Brilliant to see Fredricson back. Best CB prospect in the 18s/21s pre-injury, so hopefully he can return to those levels.

 

[top1whoisman]

He was an unused sub, yeah. We started that game with Musa up top with Biancheri and Mantato on the either side of him.

Would’ve been nice to see him play but there’s also the thing with only five subs being named. Which in my opinion is stupid when you can actually make five subs each game. Hope the FA would raise that to seven or at least to six in the future.

 

[top1whoisman]

Oh and Harrison in goal of course is a plus.

 

[Gungerz]

Fun fact: Their keeper is Saido Berahino's (remember him?) cousin.

Another fun fact is that Saido Berahino is only 30.

 

[top1whoisman]

Interesting. Kambwala actually playing at RB, Ogunneye LCB. Could be because Willy might get more minutes as a fullback in the first team.

Hmm, they are in the shape of

Kambwala-Aljofree-Ogunneye
Missin —————————- Murray

…depending on the situation.

 

[top1whoisman]

Looks like Ennis is playing up top with McNeill.

 

[top1whoisman]

Lovely cross from the West Brom player.

 

[top1whoisman]

11’

Brilliant switch from Aljofree, Ennis can’t get to Missin’s low cross in the box.

 

[saik]

Just a bit too far off that cross from Missin. Good touch from him to take it down.

 

[top1whoisman]

Yeah it’s a 3-5-2, good to see us try different formations.

 

[top1whoisman]

17’

1-0 United, OG.

Harrison starts a quick counter with a throw, Forson plays in McNeill whose cross is deflected in by a defender.

 

[saik]

Good break from us. Quick throw taken by Harrison to Forson who plays it to McNeil whose cross in turned in by their defender.

 

[top1whoisman]

19’

Collyer robs the last defender and is one-on-one with the keeper, who saves it well with his feet.

 

[saik]

Huge chance wasted by Collyer. Should really have scored.

 

[top1whoisman]

Huge chance wasted by Collyer. Should really have scored.

Absolutely.

 

[top1whoisman]

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[top1whoisman]

Aljofree has been very good with the ball, with both feet.

 

[Prodigal7]

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Brilliant from Harrison

 

[saik]

I still don't know where Forson is supposed to be playing. He is basically having a free role and popping up everywhere.

 

[top1whoisman]

31’

West Brom hit the crossbar from a decent distance. Harrison somehow saves the rebound.

 

[top1whoisman]

I still don't know where Forson is supposed to be playing. He is basically having a free role and popping up everywhere.

Yeah it’s kind of fun to watch. That’s the good thing about this formation. Gives a lot of freedom to the midfielders. We’ve already seen each one of the three being our highest player as well as deepest midfielder.

 

[saik]

We're lucky to still lead. They've had like 3 bites at the cherry there after their initial shot came back off the cross bar.

 

[top1whoisman]

37’

2-0 United. Another ball behind the defense, this time McNeill’s cross reaches Ennis who taps it in. Aljofree once again started the move, he’s been our best player.

 

[saik]

2-0 for us . Ennis scores what is basically a tap in from a cross from McNeil.

 

[top1whoisman]

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[top1whoisman]

40’

Harrison’s turn to open up their defense with a good long pass. Ennis returns the favour by playing in McNeill who couldn’t finish it. Ennis with an effort wide from outside the box.

 

[top1whoisman]

McNeill and Ennis have been very active without the ball. Constant runs behing the line and especially McNeill pressing like a maniac.