davieG Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 Development Squad boss Steve Beaglehole paid a glowing tribute to his players after they swept aside Arsenal with a thumping 4-0 victory on Monday night to achieve their main goal for the season. It extended their unbeaten Barclays U21 Premier League run to seven games – including six wins – and confirmed their status as one of next season’s elite teams by sealing a top half finish with one game left to play. Tom Hopper, Ryan Watson (2) and Michael Cain were all on the score sheet in the comprehensive win, and while the result was of the utmost importance to manager, it was the swagger with which his side won that impressed most of all. “We controlled the game completely,†Beaglehole told LCFC.com. “I don’t think Adam Smith had a save to make. It was a very dominant display, and played mainly in Arsenal’s half. “We played some lovely possession football at times with a great tempo and real maturity in our play. The players have come so far during the season – we can see that from the way we dominated Arsenal from start to finish, and I’d have to say it was our best team performance of the season. “It was great to see Ryan Watson get a couple of goals from midfield – he and Harry Panayiotou were particularly good, but they’ve all chipped in throughout the season, and that goes for the team behind the team too. “The lads are lucky to have so many good people behind them. For instance we’ve got Nicky Eaden, who is a very good coach, as well as our sports science lads and many others working hard for them. In many ways it’s similar to the first team in how it’s run. “Nigel Pearson deserves credit for that – he’s made it like having another team within the Club. We’ve run it as a team and he’s let us get on with it and how we try to mirror what they’ve done in terms of training and the tempo. It’s been a great learning curve for all of us, but the players have certainly responded.†Steve_Beaglehole_4_3_LC6131-020 A hallmark of City’s Under-21s this season has been in their approach to matches – often with a competitive edge that has clearly been cultivated on the training pitch and that is now reaping its rewards in terms of league performance. Beaglehole added: “Yes they’re talented players, but to get that consistency, you’ve got to work at it day in, day out. We’ve said to the players, it’s about creating good habits, and what we’ve managed to do with that is create a winning environment in training. “Even if we play a small sided game, we make it competitive. If they’re not at it, we’ll stop and come back later. “It’s great to play well, but it’s about winning and we need to do that. It is hard to do, but the staff around me have been great a helping us do that, and on top of that it’s great to work for a manager (Nigel Pearson) that wants you to do that too. “If somebody told me they weren’t bothered about us winning matches, then it wouldn’t be for me. I want to be competitive, and I’m pleased we’ve got that environment here at Leicester City Football Club, because life is about winners, not losers.†Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/160414-beaglehole-praises-winning-environment-1492311.aspx#maQKdWSy7jiu7O87.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 16 April 2014 Author Share Posted 16 April 2014 It's good to see that 1st team philosophy is being adopted at u21 level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_w Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 I too am glad that the 'win all the time lol' philosophy of the first team has been adopted by the youth sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieG Posted 16 April 2014 Author Share Posted 16 April 2014 I too am glad that the 'win all the time lol' philosophy of the first team has been adopted by the youth sides. I was thinking more re this quote - “We played some lovely possession football at times with a great tempo and real maturity in our play". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 This is all well and good but who has progressed to the first team. Only Moore, that would seem to be a poor return for all the effort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny the fox Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 Nicky Eaden was a top player with Barnsley among others.. played the game the right way..good influence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungry Hungry Fox Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 This is all well and good but who has progressed to the first team. Only Moore, that would seem to be a poor return for all the effort? It's a big step up in terms of ability and with the high stakes of football these days it's not always possible to give youngsters a chance in the first team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty98 Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 This is all well and good but who has progressed to the first team. Only Moore, that would seem to be a poor return for all the effort? Schlupp and kingy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
65RosesFox Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 This is all well and good but who has progressed to the first team. Only Moore, that would seem to be a poor return for all the effort? Conrad Logan!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thracian Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 It's certainly a subtle change of emphasis for the better. I've often argued that there's no natural progression for the under18's to the first team but this competitive under 21 competition looks much more the business and the emphasis on winning far more pronounced. I don't for a minute believe these emerging players will be encouraged to do anything but play the game fairly and properly, just as would be the case were they professional golfers. But in the past I often read comments along the lines of "winning not being the be all and end all at this stage," but clearly this genuinely competitive under 21 league is where players can be physically and mentally toughened up for the rigours not only of high-pressure physical demands but the mental attitudes and reactions to go with them. There's no hiding it, the first requirement of a professional sportsman is the desire and determination to be a winner. It's no use being the most rugged tackler if you keep getting sent off, the cleverest ball-player if you keep retaliating or the most accurate striker if you leave your team-mates to cope whenever you lose the ball. Good reactions are just as important as footballing skills if you're going to be an effective professional because, without those reactions, you'll cost your team dearly in the end and instilling those reactions is pointless outside a "need to win" situation because they'll be effectively contrived and will likely break down under serious pressure. Suarez is shining like a spotlight now because he's coupled his unquestioned skill to an attitude of supreme professionalism and how his team has benefitted. I've long argued that our aspiring youngsters' development should mirror that of the first team because it will make transition so much easier and the chances of our potential survival at the highest level so much more likely because we'll never be able to outspend all our rivals and with this approach we might never need to. But I'm thrilled it's happening and am not really surprised. Of course it should always have been happening but it's no use lamenting past mistakes and shortcomings. I'm just grateful our club is doing the right things now and at enough levels to suggest that the entire management structure seems as sound as I've ever known it. Happy days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr The Singh Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 It's certainly a subtle change of emphasis for the better. I've often argued that there's no natural progression for the under18's to the first team but this competitive under 21 competition looks much more the business and the emphasis on winning far more pronounced. I don't for a minute believe these emerging players will be encouraged to do anything but play the game fairly and properly, just as would be the case were they professional golfers. But in the past I often read comments along the lines of "winning not being the be all and end all at this stage," but clearly this genuinely competitive under 21 league is where players can be physically and mentally toughened up for the rigours not only of high-pressure physical demands but the mental attitudes and reactions to go with them. There's no hiding it, the first requirement of a professional sportsman is the desire and determination to be a winner. It's no use being the most rugged tackler if you keep getting sent off, the cleverest ball-player if you keep retaliating or the most accurate striker if you leave your team-mates to cope whenever you lose the ball. Good reactions are just as important as footballing skills if you're going to be an effective professional because, without those reactions, you'll cost your team dearly in the end and instilling those reactions is pointless outside a "need to win" situation because they'll be effectively contrived and will likely break down under serious pressure. Suarez is shining like a spotlight now because he's coupled his unquestioned skill to an attitude of supreme professionalism and how his team has benefitted. I've long argued that our aspiring youngsters' development should mirror that of the first team because it will make transition so much easier and the chances of our potential survival at the highest level so much more likely because we'll never be able to outspend all our rivals and with this approach we might never need to. But I'm thrilled it's happening and am not really surprised. Of course it should always have been happening but it's no use lamenting past mistakes and shortcomings. I'm just grateful our club is doing the right things now and at enough levels to suggest that the entire management structure seems as sound as I've ever known it. Happy days! You still writing long essays, you have too much time my friend!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramadaone Posted 16 April 2014 Share Posted 16 April 2014 Interesting stuff The Academy ethos is all about player development and not all about winning I wonder at what age there is a distinct change in policy to winning is everything ? It's not a critism I would be interested in people's thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thracian Posted 17 April 2014 Share Posted 17 April 2014 You still writing long essays, you have too much time my friend!!! You okay my friend? I bet you wear a big grin when you're in Nottingham! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indierich06 Posted 17 April 2014 Share Posted 17 April 2014 Interesting stuff The Academy ethos is all about player development and not all about winning I wonder at what age there is a distinct change in policy to winning is everything ? It's not a critism I would be interested in people's thoughts No-one's saying that 'winning is everything', but I'd say fostering a winning mentality is absolutely key to a player's development. If you don't want to win games, then what are you even playing for? Right now we've got a first team full of players with that winning mentality - they want to beat everyone and take home all three points in every single game - and that has been key to us performing so well this season, that striving for the win week in, week out. I think it's one of the reasons Pearson likes players from the Man Utd youth teams so much - they're developed the right way, but that will to win and to succeed is drilled into them from an early age. The only time desire to win in academies can be a negative thing is when smaller, more technical players are sidelined for big, physical players so the team can use it's physical advantage to win games. Thankfully, when you look at our academy side now, there are quite a few technically skilled players, so it looks like we're eschewing that 'get the big strong lads and win at all costs' approach. We're breeding winners who play the right way - hopefully it starts paying off before long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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