Academy make it 4 wins on the trot

[Mark]

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/...~898363,00.html

Academy Raid The Palace

Leicester City's under 18 side made it four wins on the spin with a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The game had been locked in a stalemate at half-time - with both defences holding firm.

But the Foxes would break the deadlock just a minute into the second period through Max Gradel, with Billy McKay adding a second on the hour mark.

Palace grabbed a goal back with 20 minutes of the contest remaining, but Tommy Tejan-Sie would seal the points for the Foxes at the death.

Speaking after the game, Academy Manager Jon Rudkin said: "It was a good result against tough opponents.

"The lads showed a lot spirit and dug deep when they needed to."

City: Pentney, Magunda, Lycett, Garner, Rowe-Turner (Mattock), Gradel, King, Tejan-Sie, Beswick, McKay, Odihambo (Chambers).

[Babylon]

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/...~898363,00.html

Gradel again.

Surely he has to be close to a place on the bench??

[Mark]

Gradel again.

Surely he has to be close to a place on the bench??

He should have been close at the end of last season. You'd think with 6 goals in 5 games now from right wing he couldn't possibly be ignored.

[The People's Hero]

He should have been close at the end of last season. You'd think with 6 goals in 5 games now from right wing he couldn't possibly be ignored.

What do we have to lose?

If Low isn't producing the goods at the moment - no harm in trying Gradel?

Cup game maybe?

[Babylon]

What do we have to lose?

If Low isn't producing the goods at the moment - no harm in trying Gradel?

Cup game maybe?

Defo... wouldn't be suprised to see him at all.

[Thracian]

Gradel again.

Surely he has to be close to a place on the bench??

Dangerous player, even when he doesn't score.

McKay netted again too. I think that's the third game in four he's been on the mark.

[cisono]

McKay netted again too. I think that's the third game in four he's been on the mark.

McKay, yes, I've noted that too.

He is obviously very promising (actually already delivering)

[Wils]

Stick Gradel on the bench.

Much rather have him on there than Tiatto or Maybury.

Nothing to loose.

[Thracian]

You're right but it's not about having nothing to lose. Gradel has earned a chance. He scores week in, week out.

We've got to start making our own statements instead of simply being proud to draw a game we dominated at Sunderland.

[lcfc_jme]

You're right but it's not about having nothing to lose. Gradel has earned a chance. He scores week in, week out.

We've got to start making our own statements instead of simply being proud to draw a game we dominated at Sunderland.

People are proud/happy with a draw at Sunderland today even when we dominated and should have won, because, before todays game and in the build up to is, Sunderland were a goal-happy, in-form team, and we were the away-day defensive goal-shy visitors. We were meant to take a hammering today, or at least get beat as many people expected, but we didn't and showed we can compete and take games to strong sides. There's a platform now and we need it to remain there through consistency. As you can tell I'm refusing to draw on the negatives and am focusing much more on the positive side of today's game. I would however drop Stephen Hughes, whether for Williams, Low or Gradel, as he was dreadful today and was the only player who sounds like he had a bad game.

[Thracian]

People are proud/happy with a draw at Sunderland today even when we dominated and should have won, because, before todays game and in the build up to is, Sunderland were a goal-happy, in-form team, and we were the away-day defensive goal-shy visitors. We were meant to take a hammering today, or at least get beat as many people expected, but we didn't and showed we can compete and take games to strong sides. There's a platform now and we need it to remain there through consistency. As you can tell I'm refusing to draw on the negatives and am focusing much more on the positive side of today's game. I would however drop Stephen Hughes, whether for Williams, Low or Gradel, as he was dreadful today and was the only player who sounds like he had a bad game.

Don't mistake me. I'm pleased with our performance today. I thought we might draw (depending on the team selection) but we were better than I expected in view of our lowered confidence.

But Kelly must have the courage to go forward instead of just sticking as he did once we were safe last season.

Every shirt is up for grabs, he said, and Gradel is screaming for his shirt.

I've seen Hughes, Williams and Low over an extended period of time and all have got their good points but overall their effect has been limited. Can anyone argue with that?

Gradel in contrast has had enormous effect, not just occasionally but consistently.

He can provide another step forward, another bit of buzz.

We would then have creativity throughout our midfield and attack. We would have the capability of scoring two goals a game which is what is necessary and, indeed, what the Academy team does almost every time they play.

What is Kelly afraid of? Is it that Gradel has somewhere to play being an Academy lad and the others don't unless they're in the first team?.

Some will say I tout young players for the sake of it but I've no problem with Kelly dropping Stearman. He's let his standard fall and has been dropped on merit. He gets no sympathy from me and I hope it's a lesson he never forgets.

But, other youngsters like Weso, Porter and O'Grady have done well. Gradel belongs in their company and I beleive Kelly knows it. So why can't Leicester start being exciting again instead of just functional?.

[lcfc_jme]

Don't mistake me. I'm pleased with our performance today. I thought we might draw (depending on the team selection) but we were better than I expected in view of our lowered confidence.

But Kelly must have the courage to go forward instead of just sticking as he did once we were safe last season.

Every shirt is up for grabs, he said, and Gradel is screaming for his shirt.

I've seen Hughes, Williams and Low over an extended period of time and all have got their good points but overall their effect has been limited. Can anyone argue with that?

Gradel in contrast has had enormous effect, not just occasionally but consistently.

He can provide another step forward, another bit of buzz.

We would then have creativity throughout our midfield and attack. We would have the capability of scoring two goals a game which is what is necessary and, indeed, what the Academy team does almost every time they play.

What is Kelly afraid of? Is it that Gradel has somewhere to play being an Academy lad and the others don't unless they're in the first team?.

Some will say I tout young players for the sake of it but I've no problem with Kelly dropping Stearman. He's let his standard fall and has been dropped on merit. He gets no sympathy from me and I hope it's a lesson he never forgets.

But, other youngsters like Weso, Porter and O'Grady have done well. Gradel belongs in their company and I beleive Kelly knows it. So why can't Leicester start being exciting again instead of just functional?.

I believe this is a sort of follow-up to your "functional football" thread .

We were better than everybody expected I think, as we have been poor away from home and they were a decent side coming into this game. Don't get me wrong, I agree that Kelly should encourage our team to be more attacking and go forward more (and I'm not just saying it to agree with you, I got a bit of a bollocking for it yesterday when somebody mistook me for you).

I want to see Kelly make our side play attacking and exciting football, with everybody performing to the best of their ability. As you rightly pointed out, RK did say every shirt was up for grabs and whilst Gradel is making a loud and impressive claim, we shouldn't bring him in too early and we shouldn't use him too early or before we have to. He's got a long future and career ahead of him, and his time will come, but I don't think it'll be this season. Kelly today finally got an attacking performance out of our side away from home, and I think it was evident even to him that Hughes should be dropped, because it didn't work for him wide-right today. Josh Low should come into the midfield in that case, and keep the rest of it the same. I've not been told but I could say I'm 100% sure RK won't use Gradel, not even in the cup, as he'd prefer to stick with the tried and trusted pool of players he currently uses. Another reason he won't use Gradel this term is the fact that Gradel is playing and performing regularly, for the academy side, but the lads in our first team squad don't even have the reserves and he is struggling to keep them happy and on side. Another addition to our first team squad would mean another disgruntled player - further lowering morale. Until Kelly offloads a couple of players, he won't want to bring in Academy lads, as there'd be too many men doing nothing every Saturday/Tuesday.

I'd like to see us become attacking and scoring many goals instead of playing the long-ball game and being content with draws. With no reserves-league and low morale anyway, the Academy lads will find it hard to get their chance, especially with the cautious nature of Kelly's tactics anyway

[Micky]

Does anybody know what has happened to chambers? I see he came on as a sub but wasn't he meant to be the next big thing?

[Thracian]

I believe this is a sort of follow-up to your "functional football" thread .

We were better than everybody expected I think, as we have been poor away from home and they were a decent side coming into this game. Don't get me wrong, I agree that Kelly should encourage our team to be more attacking and go forward more (and I'm not just saying it to agree with you, I got a bit of a bollocking for it yesterday when somebody mistook me for you).

I want to see Kelly make our side play attacking and exciting football, with everybody performing to the best of their ability. As you rightly pointed out, RK did say every shirt was up for grabs and whilst Gradel is making a loud and impressive claim, we shouldn't bring him in too early and we shouldn't use him too early or before we have to. He's got a long future and career ahead of him, and his time will come, but I don't think it'll be this season. Kelly today finally got an attacking performance out of our side away from home, and I think it was evident even to him that Hughes should be dropped, because it didn't work for him wide-right today. Josh Low should come into the midfield in that case, and keep the rest of it the same. I've not been told but I could say I'm 100% sure RK won't use Gradel, not even in the cup, as he'd prefer to stick with the tried and trusted pool of players he currently uses. Another reason he won't use Gradel this term is the fact that Gradel is playing and performing regularly, for the academy side, but the lads in our first team squad don't even have the reserves and he is struggling to keep them happy and on side. Another addition to our first team squad would mean another disgruntled player - further lowering morale. Until Kelly offloads a couple of players, he won't want to bring in Academy lads, as there'd be too many men doing nothing every Saturday/Tuesday.

I'd like to see us become attacking and scoring many goals instead of playing the long-ball game and being content with draws. With no reserves-league and low morale anyway, the Academy lads will find it hard to get their chance, especially with the cautious nature of Kelly's tactics anyway

Everything you say makes perfect sense. But Kelly is facing one of the classic problems of management. And I've got news for him. He will NEVER keep everyone happy even if he finds himself in better circumstances that at Leicester right now.

The only way he'll retain credibility is to play the strongest available side without fear or favour.

If Hughes, Williams, Low have any complaints then they should have played better when they had the chance and Kelly could look all three and anyone else in the eye and ask: "Have I not given you chances. Would you not want a chance if you were scoring one and two goals every week?"

But how does he face Gradel and say he's being fair to the lad?

It is up to Kelly to find games so fringe players can keep themselves in the reckoning. Not doctor his side because those fixtures don't exist. Management is not expected to be easy.

[Fez of Mahrez]

"Kelly today finally got an attacking performance out of our side away from home, and I think it was evident even to him that Hughes should be dropped, because it didn't work for him wide-right today."

I think it's only fair to see the highlights/listen to some City fans who were actually there and their perspectives on the game before saying it didn't work for him, given how the game turned out.

[Thracian]

"Kelly today finally got an attacking performance out of our side away from home, and I think it was evident even to him that Hughes should be dropped, because it didn't work for him wide-right today."

I think it's only fair to see the highlights/listen to some City fans who were actually there and their perspectives on the game before saying it didn't work for him, given how the game turned out.

I quite understand that the match commentators might well have failed to notice or remark on the fact that he had a stormer - but that wouldn't nullify an opinion formed from lots of other games I've seen him play.

Or do you expect those to be conveniently forgotten.

However pleased we all are with today's result, we scored once, drew 1-1, are now right beside the relegation places in the table and have scored 5 times in our last nine League games.

However I am curious to know why you believe that even Kelly thinks he should be dropped.

I've never seen any evidence of that.

[Mark]

For anybody interested, here are the academy league tables.

We are currently top of our group and have scored more goals than any team in any other group.

[Thracian]

For anybody interested, here are the academy league tables.

We are currently top of our group and have scored more goals than any team in any other group.

What are you trying to do Mark. That info's better kept secret.

Someone's been asking what's happened to Chambers but kids coming through too quickly creates as many problems as it solves,which perhaps explains why he's kept on the bench.

If anyone else comes through what is Kelly going to do with those who have to make way - especially now we have so few reserve games.

Even now there's no room for Gradel so all this additional success for the youngsters is nothing but an embarrassment.

They'll just have to come through much more slowly....

[filbertway]

Gradel again.

If he is as good as levi or better then why not have him playing, if he can have the affect Levi has had then go for it. People were cautious about putting levi in there and he's held his own well, Gradel could do the same, he sounds very promising