snoopy87
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Posts posted by snoopy87
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15 minutes ago, syston_fox said:
That's the Thurmaston one isn't it?
I know there's quite a few higher level teams in there and one team that's full of academy players so already written off any chance of winning that.
I think they were struggling to fill it so have then opened it up to all which is a bit annoying as we entered it on the expectations that it was for our levels. The gap between level 1 and us at 4 is massive though.
I just hope that there is enough level 1 and 2 teams to make sure that they all come in top 2 of every group and can go off to do their higher level knock outs and leave the rest of us to our own.
Yeah it's Thurmaston. There's a couple that have slipped in that are higher than the tournament flyer stated.
The gap between level 1 and 2 is huge, 2 to 3 is massive. We've had some horrible games against level 2 sides and been battered, could say the same for level 3
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10 hours ago, syston_fox said:
Dodgy team in our tournament at the weekend. They entered the lower level (3-5) tournament rather than the higher (level 1 and 2). They battered everyone in their group and we ended up with them in the knockouts.
Spoke to their coaches before the game and asked what level they play at. They didn't have a level because they had handpicked the best players from two Saturday league teams and didn't know how they would do so went into the lower one. Absolute joke. They would have won the higher level one let alone ours.
They knew what they were doing and it just meant we were playing for second place.
Loads do it unfortunately. We had one at Ashby two weeks ago who had players clearly older than U9, one of them was as tall as me and just built like a pre-teenage boy!
There's a team at a tournament we're doing this Saturday that I know have flip flopped between level 1 and high 2, but are at a 3-5 tournament. One of the only tournaments we stood a chance of being competitive at has been taken away already.
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On 02/06/2026 at 11:09, syston_fox said:
End of season awards:
Main awards are managers player, parents player and players player....
We're an under 9 team and same player has won both parents and players vote. We were going to give him managers player but feels wrong that one person is taking all three at this age especially as there is a good mix of talent in our squad.
Politics looming!
17 hours ago, SystonFox said:I've got parents player, managers and players all winning the one. Not having a lad clean sweep, or even take two so i've changed my managers and parents (unfortunately) as I felt the boys would talk about voting at some stage so that one can't be rigged.
luckily voting was tight on supporters player so we gave it to the second placed kid and managers player had to be moved as he had already won players at a canter.
we are also doing most improved and clubman of the year too.
next year I want to opt for Goal of the Season.
For the parents and players player, I made mine do a top three in order of who they think deserves it, then did a points system based off the answers. Has worked really well and all the right players are going to get the "special" awards for the effort they've put in over the season.
We've also got a mangers player and most improved which me and my assistant have selected, may give the most improved to the parents next season though.
Going to do a top goal scorer and lead assister as well, but they're getting handed out in August when we return after the season is done. Top goal scorer is far too close to call!
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Charles Leclerc ensuring he doesn't become world champion any time soon
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Lost out in the quarter finals of the champions Cup side of the draw at Ashby yesterday. Did really well in our group until our final game were we came up against a side from out Stoke way. They clearly had a few of players in their side who were older. I have 2 big lads in my side, these lot towered over them amd were just built differently. Finished 2nd in our group amd were brilliant in our quarter, should've score more, but ended 1-1 with them scoring in the last minute from a punted ball in. Some dubious decisions and ever more dubious time keeping in this game sent it to penalties. Lost out on the lottery but really happy with how the lads performed. Properly got stuck in everywhere and tried playing football. Was really good to see.
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On 17/05/2026 at 20:05, Kinowe Soorie said:
We are only currently, doing our club tournament.
There has been some ridiculously high level teams that have entered our one.
Teams have blatantly lied about what level they play at. One of teams lads has just been signed by a Prem team
Which club are you with if you don't mind my asking?
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7 minutes ago, syston_fox said:
Are you the Tigers or Panthers?
We've drawn the Tigers in the group stage of that tournament. (I'm with Queniborough)
Just seen the email. Yeah we're the Tigers.
Some decent teams there. That AP boys are playing up a year. They'll make the final, most his side are signed up on pre-contracts with Leicester and Derby
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2 hours ago, Unabomber said:
Someone needs to do that fella’s dinosaur
That was one of the greatest threads ever. Bring back Cheese
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16 hours ago, syston_fox said:
Potentially! Which side are you with? It's our first season and so started at level 5 and coasted through that. Got promoted to 4A and think we finished with something like 5 wins, 5 defeats and 2 draws.
We try to play level 3 teams in friendlies and always been competitive, winning more than we've lost. I think the only difference between level 3 and 4 is the consistency really of doing it every week.
What are people's thoughts on game time during tournaments? So hard to get a balance right when you have such mixed abilities! We try to make it fair in the group stages but then once knockout starts, it's really hard to change something when a game is on a knife edge. A squad of 10 in a 6-a-side tournament was an absolute killer.
Whetstone Athletic. Been getting beat comfortably at our level lately, so we're probably in your boat as a lower 3B / higher 4A currently. Been really difficult as we have some very good and capable players who can play higher, have played higher, but the weaker lads are probably playing above their level.
Our parents are very aware of this, so when it comes to tournaments I always go equal in the groups, then its a case of who is more on it if we make a knockout. They all get at least half the match anyway, I never keep them off for longer as that's not fair. One of my parents is very honest and open and tells me not to play her kids if she thinks they haven't been performing. I think it all depends on your group and how they feel. Mine are more for the greater good so the boys can try and win a trophy.
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27 minutes ago, syston_fox said:
I'm still not over the final defeat on Saturday
. Think it's just because of how proud of them we were to get there and to then see their faces when the final whistle went. Tournaments are brutal on the kids as the parents all really get into it (which is great and creates a fantastic atmosphere) but then creates the painful low for them. Character building and all that.
We had a penalty shoot out in the semi final and never been so nervous watching my lad step up to take one (especially as we had missed our first.) Last season he was a goalkeeper and penalty shoot outs were his chance to shine, not so much fun when he's taking the shot!
We've got Groby, Thurmaston and Riverside tournaments still to go!
Our first ever tournament ended in penalty heartbreak last year, to a side we'd beaten comfortably in the group stages. Was an Easter tournament as well so had to wait ages before we could go again, so I know your pain. Tournaments do bring the whole side together, more so on my part as I never really get to spend much time with the parents socialising on match days as we're opposite sides of the pitch. The drama of it all as well in the latter stages bring out the best (and worst) of teams as well.
Watched my son miss many penalties. We entered a tournament at Halloween, ended up going through most of the side in the final to the point he had to go and take one (wanted nothing to do with it). Stuck it right in the top corner to win us the trophy. Funnily enough at the same tournament this Easter against the same side in the final in another penalty shootout, he smashed it straight into the keepers gut!
We're at Thurmaston as well, so may come across you.
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Poor group stage for us yesterday at Peterborough, finishing bottom without a point, which was tough on us as the ref made an absolute howler in the first match which gave the oppo a winning goal towards the end. Had to have a word with them after the final group game at the side of the pitch because we just weren't doing anything. Parents had spent a good chunk of money and driven early to get there and the lads just weren't putting the effort in.
Queue the semi-final and something resembling football broke out from us. Put our foot on the ball and never let them in, constant pressure on them, earning us a 3-0 win. Went on to win our final 2-0 and won the "Bowl" section of the tournament. We were easily the better side than those we played in the knockouts. Having checked the results when I got home, 3 of the 4 sides from our group won the knockout trophies. So you could say we were in the dreaded group of death. Was group D as well!!!
Really well run tournament at Peterborough by Play on the Pitch. The opportunities for a trophy wherever we finished was really good as well, gave every team there a chance to go at something. The medals are the best I've ever seen as well. Obviously you get what you pay for, but we've spent more playing on King Power with precision pass with only one trophy up for grabs and I'd say this weekend was so much better.
Ashby Ivanhoe for us next Sunday. Two mixed groups then split down into a Europa League and Champions League depending on how you finish. On the hunt for more silverware.
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2 hours ago, Bert said:
Tournament season started for my lads team today.
Played in the level 3-5 at Loughborough Dynamo. Great venue and really well ran.
Got all the way to the final and lost to a level 1 side.
Another tournament to go at tomorrow at Birstall United but a much tougher task as it’s mainly filled with level 1 sides but could be a good learning curve for them all.
Looked at that one for my lot, I'll keep an eye out next season after that review. Though how does a level 1 side end up in your final? Takes away all the good work your boys have done.
We kick ours ours off tomorrow in Peterborough at London Road. Lord knows what we're walking into. This one is just for an experience.
Pulling us out of a tournament later in May due to the group we've been put in. We've been poor for a while. Going into a tournament where the whole group is level 1, 2 of those side's the best in the county at our age group, just aint right for my boys. We'll get nothing but a hiding. My major gripe is they've put their own higher level side in the lower side of the tournament, a team who've smashed us twice. Tournament organiser sees no issue 🤷🏻♂️.
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3 hours ago, Kinowe Soorie said:
It’s difficult to move from softly, softly, to a firmer approach. I’m in a similar situation. Mine don’t react well with too much discipline. I have groups, within the group, with varying levels of behaviour. I was advised to set your stall out at the beginning, with behaviour and help from parents etc. But I didn’t, one moment I love it, next moment, I think is it worth the hassle?
We are competitive from next season, and I think that quite a few of the lads use it as a youth club, attitudes are going to have to change!
To be fair I was quite firm when I first took over, probably when we were playing our best football and making the right sort of mistakes as well. Only in the last 2 months have I gone softer and it's declined.
Hammered them a bit last night and got what I wanted, they had to forfeit if they weren't paying attention, which cut the chat out as the session went on, they seemed more engaged towards the end. Sometimes, a good old rocket is what they need. I'll be fair with them this weekend mind, as we're playing at Peterborough United on the pitch.
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17 hours ago, Kinowe Soorie said:
When my team played 7v7 we couldn’t defend for toffee, but we could score goals.
But was irrelevant if you were conceding more than you are scoring!
I tried three at the back, terrible, two at the back, terrible, got smashed in a game, kicked off with the parents cos of how bad it was (couple of bad eggs mainly).
I thought I’m going to throw caution to the wind and just go for it, and played the best defender at the back, on his own. It worked a treat!
We never really looked back after that.
My advice would be, to try things out in friendly matches, different formations, players in different positions etc.
Been doing it all season. We started with 1 central defender and 2 wing backs either side. The ones that fully understood the wing back role were the ones who are seriously invested in football, the rest just can't fathom the role. I've done all sorts. It's not a case of they're not up to it, we used to annoy the hell out of sides that we're a level or two higher than us, we used to play and create, now we barely register a shot.
Training last night felt good, they understood what was required, they also got it if they weren't paying attention. I do wonder if I've maybe been too soft with them and they've started taking liberties. Been listening to podcasts, reading grassroots hub on Facebook and changed my style from it all a bit lately. Since I have, the performances and effort have just dropped. There's groups that need the softly softly approach, I do not think mine is one of them!
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Last league match yesterday to wrap up our U9 season. Awful! Not won a game since beginning of March and they all turned up yesterday looking like they'd never seen a football before. Some of the defending looked very similar to what I've been watching at the KP the last two seasons.
Really do not know where it's gone wrong. We've gone from being composed, challenging and working hard to treating the ball like a hot potato and not even closing players down. The last 3 games I've watched my side allow the other team to take all the time in the world in our half before launching a shot goal wards. Our movement off the ball is horrific now. Players' just stood by while one carries the ball up the field, offering zero help.
We had a horror period in October, this has gone on longer and I am really struggling to see what else I can do with them. We've gone back to the very basics of 1v1's, ball mastery, small sided games and nothing is working.
I have a fair few who I think could take or leave football and it's those that I've noticed aren't putting the same level of effort in during training and matches. There's some ability there, but I've spent the best part of a year now trying to get them to play as part of the team and they're still where they were when I first took over. It's quite soul destroying at times.
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On 08/05/2026 at 14:19, Kinowe Soorie said:
End of season awards time… do you give out a top goal scorer award?
I've been thinking this over myself. I've got to the point where I'm going to do it and an award for most assists as well. It's extra reward for their efforts through the season. When it comes to announcing them, it'll be about those players choosing the right option at the right time, hopefully get them thinking in games more aiming for that award next year.
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Another one at The Prodigy in Nottingham on Friday. Brilliant night and gig, fully endorsed by my 9 year old side-kick for the evening.
So many bangers in the back catalogue it could never be dull going to see them.
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On 15/04/2026 at 08:07, Raj said:
Going to see Prodigy on May 1st At Notts Arena.
Im 54 going with my 17 year old daughter who keeps telling me to to embaress her!!
I aint been to a gig since she was born!!
Anyone know where best to park for the Arena, ive heard the Train station and walk.
What does a 54 year old wear to a Prodigy gig!?
Sneinton Market has been good for us in the past. Not many spaces but quiet and tucked away to the point that I don't think many know it's there. Only a 10 minute walk as well. It's where I'm heading for anyway.
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16 hours ago, syston_fox said:
We bizarrely have one lad who is very good at taking corners and gets a lot of praise for his deliveries. I noticed during Sunday's match that he was actively stopping and delaying crossing the ball in so that the defenders tackled him and he got a corner. (We don't score from corners by the way).
The team we play on Sunday have only lost one since Christmas and that was against us in probably our best performance of the season. They moaned constantly about the pitch (it was played in January so wet and muddy) and every strong tackle was greeted with cries of "REF!" and rolling on the floor. They even said to us at the end that they wanted a rematch on a 3g pitch and would beat us on that. The scenes if we win.....
Entered into many tournaments?
From mid-May to the end of June we have one every weekend bar one.
Going to be a tough summer. We're at one in Markfield and the group we've been put in is ridiculous. I'm in two minds on whether to just pull out and save us the heartache because we do not stand a chance.
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34 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:
Quorn are against the tide. Shepshed I'd say have overachieved this season.
Think the money has ran out at Aylestone too.
Owners looking to get out. Rumour a while back was Harborough were looking at taking them over
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16 minutes ago, syston_fox said:
What level are you at the moment mate as we're u9s as well.
We were on a decent run at level 4 but then managed to lose three in a row. Yesterday was so frustrating - missed so many clear cut chances and ended up losing 1-0. My lad is our striker and usually really reliable but he had one of those days yesterday - hit the crossbar twice, then went through on goal and a horrible bobble as he went to shoot so shanked it wide. Finally then hit one over the bar when the keeper dropped the ball at his feet and a gaping goal.
Not sure what has happened in the last few games but suddenly everyone seems to be playing for themself. When we work as a team, we play some lovely football and score some cracking goals. When the kids turn selfish, the whole thing goes to pot and cannot figure out what's caused it - I have a feeling it's goal bonuses but then not the easiest conversation to have!
We're 3A, probably hovering over that relegation line now.
Really struggling at the moment. Seems to be the same issue you've highlighted with my lot. We used to be really calm on the ball, tried playing, now it's either a big boot or they're going to take everyone on all by themselves. It feels like teams have just powered away from us as the season has gone on, most of which I would attribute to them just wanting it more as a unit over mine. Most sides we've played recently haven't had any better players than us, they've just worked harder for it or started quicker. Handing out 3-0 head starts isn't going to do us any favours!
Regarding goal "bonuses", had that. I chucked the kids straight into defence so they couldn't score. Seemed to stop it as the parent had to find another way of rewarding them.
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1 hour ago, Soar Fox said:
Leicester St Andrews were paying very well I heard for a Step 6 side
That's what about killed them off last time. Started hiking the fees of the grassroots teams up to fund their first team and lost them all. It's why we have AFC Andrews over on Aylestone Rec
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On a pig of a run at the moment. Training looks good, I seem to be getting something out of them, then as soon as Sunday comes round, nothing.
I'm trying to keep them moving around the pitch, experiencing different positions in a game, but it just isn't working. Last two games we've been 3 down before we've had a shot on the opposition. Some of my lads are just suited to playing in a certain position already. Some will think I'm Satan for it, but I am at the point of just accepting some can only play in one area of the pitch for the good of the team.
For reference we're U9's. Next year under the old rules would have been our last at 7v7, so I'm sort of of the mind that positionally they will be starting to find their area. However, with us having another 2 years of this, I'm still thinking they should be moving around. Problem I have in my side is some are playing above their level, while some are playing below their level. It's those that are the better players I'm worried I'll lose in the summer. The U9 age group in Leicester has so many teams, I'd struggle to fill the spaces, as there just seems to be no movement.
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14 hours ago, NAKC20 said:
Think the Dutch fans got in Littlers head and he was nowhere near his normal self, he will get that more now though if he carries on getting more and more arrogant. If he just goes back to just playing darts and cut out the cocky stuff he could be unbeatable for years.
Turned into more of a knob since he's surrounded himself with these muppet YouTubers
Football Coaching
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Posted · Edited by snoopy87
That's who we lost to in the final. Absolute chancer. One of my teams parents watched their last couple of games and he said they manufactured their way into our bracket. He went on to tell me there's some in his side he needs to cut. Would you believe they didn't see the final and played in the group games he didn't want to win 🙄.
We weren't really up to much. Played one good game out of 8. Some of mine couldn't be bothered being there yesterday. Got our tournament this afternoon in a tougher group, so at least I should be finished earlier 😂.