Something for TPH to mock

[Thracian]

From the "This is Leicestershire" website.

BY DAN NICE

A quick glance at this season's Leicester City squad will tell you all about the fantastic work done at the club's academy in recent times.

Graduates Joe Mattock, Richard Stearman, Alan Sheehan, James Wesolowski and Levi Porter have all featured regularly this season, while Andy King has also come through for his first team bow this term.

Mattock and King were both members of the under-18s side that won the FA Premier League Final against Sunderland last season - and that has led the academy to be nominated in the Under-19 Team category of the Leicester Mercury Sports Award for what was a fantastic achievement.

City drew 2-2 in the game, before winning 4-3 on penalties, with Mattock holding his nerve to stroke home the winning kick.

The match followed swiftly on from a tough game against Arsenal, who City beat 3-2 in the semi-final, having topped their section in the league programme.

Academy director Jon Rudkin described it as a "tremendous achievement", and the win capped off a busy year for himself and academy assistant director Steve Beaglehole.

Rudkin paid tribute to the players and staff after the game at Sunderland's Stadium of Light capped off a fine season.

He said: "It's a tremendous achievement because it was a hard week. We travelled down to Arsenal to play one of the best in the country and did magnificently down there.

"To go up to Sunderland, play on their home territory and win was a terrific effort. We came under a lot of pressure during the game. There was a terrific crowd up there. This is full recognition for the players and staff for what they have achieved ."

Rudkin said the main aim of the academy is to produce first team players, but the team's success was a major bonus.

He said at the time: "As I have said before, it's about the performance and the development of each player.

"To win trophies is a great achievement, but it's not our primary target. That is to develop players for the future of this football club. The boys have shown they are going in the right direction."

Other players from the academy have been doing well at Football League clubs this season on loan spells.

Two other members of the side that beat Sunderland - Max Gradel and Eric Odhiambo - gained experience at League One sides Bournemouth and Southend United in the early part of this season, with Gradel particularly impressive before being granted compassionate leave by the Cherries following the death of his mother.

Other players to have come through the system in recent years include Conrad Logan, who is on loan at Stockport County, and Louis Dodds, who is on loan to Lincoln City.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Dan Nice?

There's no way that's a real person. Who's writing the next article, Eddie Angry?

[The People's Hero]

And as suggested Thracian, they've graduated in to the LCFC first XI and are really showing up the older, more experienced, chosen men you so loathe.

Only they're not. We are pathetic. They are pathetic.

They can improve. They will improve, but right now, they're not good enough.

Good bit of lazy, recycled journalism though - I can see why you'd appreciate it.

[Thracian]

And as suggested Thracian, they've graduated in to the LCFC first XI and are really showing up the older, more experienced, chosen men you so loathe.

Only they're not. We are pathetic. They are pathetic.

They can improve. They will improve, but right now, they're not good enough.

Good bit of lazy, recycled journalism though - I can see why you'd appreciate it.

You're way behind the times. The Chosen Men have left, the term has been pretty well obsolete for months.

[The People's Hero]

You're way behind the times. The Chosen Men have left, the term has been pretty well obsolete for months.

Exactly my point.

Are we cruising this league with the youngsters mentioned the article now playing regularly, as you suggested?

Are we playing glamorous attacking football?

Are we wowing fans, pundits and fellow professionals alike with our passing, movement, speed and grace?

Have we become the ruthlessly efficient unit that you predicted?

Or... are we still performing at an unacceptable level which suggests that the players involved are:

a) Not the problem at all (and never were)

b) Not up to it.

Personally, I think it's a case of poor management, hurriedly rearranging the deckchairs on the titanics.

To use a poor literary device (you'll like this) whilst most of us are concerned with the titanic as a whole and whether or not she sinks or swims, you're more concerned with how old the deckchairs are and what they look like.

[Thracian]

Exactly my point.

Are we cruising this league with the youngsters mentioned the article now playing regularly, as you suggested?

Are we playing glamorous attacking football?

Are we wowing fans, pundits and fellow professionals alike with our passing, movement, speed and grace?

Have we become the ruthlessly efficient unit that you predicted?

Or... are we still performing at an unacceptable level which suggests that the players involved are:

a) Not the problem at all (and never were)

b) Not up to it.

Personally, I think it's a case of poor management, hurriedly rearranging the deckchairs on the titanics.

To use a poor literary device (you'll like this) whilst most of us are concerned with the titanic as a whole and whether or not she sinks or swims, you're more concerned with how old the deckchairs are and what they look like.

a) The team has climbed higher this year than last - up to ninth.

b) The combination of two disallowed goals, the fact we're a game behind many opponents and the fact we've lost key young players like Weso/King/Porter to injury has not helped build on our improvement nor has our ridiculous managerial situation.

c) Our entertainment value is far more down to our system, and tactical emphasis, rather than our players who have been

reasonably entertaining against Chelsea, Watford and even Blackpool to some extent but were bound not to entertain the way they approached many matches.

d) The continued absence of another youngster, Max Gradel, has not helped because our lack of threat on the right is pronounced and obvious to all.

e) I have no problem with any of the older players currently appearing as part of our matchday squad. The only "older" player who has disappointed me is Newton. I have also been disappointed with our lack of fringe alternatives because of several ill-advised signings.

f) I have never predicted we would "cruise" this league nor that we would become "ruthlessly efficient". I still don't think we have played a proper through-the-team attacking side and have mentioned it several times. That's partly because of injuries, partly because of tactics and partly because of individual selectios which though justified in the system played would NEVER allow for the approach I believe in.

[Daggers]

You're way behind the times. The Chosen Men have left, the term has been pretty well obsolete for months.

...but I pop by from time to time.

Wahey.

*boom* *tish*

Ithankyou.

[The People's Hero]

The problem is Thracian, you correctly see there is a problem and you want to point the finger - but you don't know where.

Previously the problem was, you said, that older players were being picked in preference simply due to their age and that younger players were being unfairly left out. The system was definitely not to blame, it was the players who good put in no effort as they were the chosen men and would be picked regardless.

Substitute 3 or 4 chosen men for say Weso, Mattock, King and Porter and you are still left with a team with all the flaws of yesteryear and the year before that. The players themselves are not the issue as such. The system does not suit the players, we lack penetration (regardless of how much we might want to attack) and the lack of stability at the club is a joke.

We need a surefooted approach. Screaming out for more youth players, less youth players, more nut allergy sufferers or less Sagittarians won't make a blind bit of difference. We could play with any selection from our massive squad, but you can't say with any certainty at all how the team will get on other than that it will be lacklustre, short of ideas and ill-equipped for the battles our team faces week in week out.

We're not doing that badly in the league, I'll grant you that. The younger players have been encouraging in parts but frustrating and not up to it at other times. For what it's worth it seems to be largely acknowledged that the improvements we have seen have been down to having a goalkeeper who can actually catch the ball AND move his feet (take note Conrad) and the form of our three centre backs together (safety in numbers).

To put it bluntly Thracian, the system, the set up, the coaching, the lack of stability are all far more important factors in our continued underperformance, regardless of which XI mediocre players (young or old) whoever happens to be calling the shots on that particular days decides to field.

[Thracian]

The problem is Thracian, you correctly see there is a problem and you want to point the finger - but you don't know where.

Previously the problem was, you said, that older players were being picked in preference simply due to their age and that younger players were being unfairly left out. The system was definitely not to blame, it was the players who good put in no effort as they were the chosen men and would be picked regardless.

Substitute 3 or 4 chosen men for say Weso, Mattock, King and Porter and you are still left with a team with all the flaws of yesteryear and the year before that. The players themselves are not the issue as such. The system does not suit the players, we lack penetration (regardless of how much we might want to attack) and the lack of stability at the club is a joke.

We need a surefooted approach. Screaming out for more youth players, less youth players, more nut allergy sufferers or less Sagittarians won't make a blind bit of difference. We could play with any selection from our massive squad, but you can't say with any certainty at all how the team will get on other than that it will be lacklustre, short of ideas and ill-equipped for the battles our team faces week in week out.

We're not doing that badly in the league, I'll grant you that. The younger players have been encouraging in parts but frustrating and not up to it at other times. For what it's worth it seems to be largely acknowledged that the improvements we have seen have been down to having a goalkeeper who can actually catch the ball AND move his feet (take note Conrad) and the form of our three centre backs together (safety in numbers).

To put it bluntly Thracian, the system, the set up, the coaching, the lack of stability are all far more important factors in our continued underperformance, regardless of which XI mediocre players (young or old) whoever happens to be calling the shots on that particular days decides to field.

Weso (lost once in 9 when he started), King (not lost when he started) and Sheehan all have excellent first team records. but Weso and King have been injured of late and Mattock/Porter (who I'd probably not pick in my first choice X1) have missed most of the season and I'd probably drop Stearman anyway for another young player, James Chambers.

Otherwise my only calls this season as far as youngsters are concerned is for the return, if possible, of Max Gradel because we are so desperately lacking on the right.

Gradel apart, I am quite happy we have enough young players in and on the fringe of the team and consider that Odhiambo, Ashley Chambers, McKay, Kee and Sappleton are not yet ready.

Apart from the improvement which Fulop represents and which as far as I'm aware everyone agrees, I can't agree with much more than half of that. So where you get the idea of me screaming for more young players from I don't know. I just know the ones I have called for have done okay.

I thought the likes of Kishishev, Kaebi and Ferreira were all going to add strength and experience to our side together with the likes of Carl Cort but generally that has not happened and, to me, it is these and other largely wasted signings which have seriously weakened what should be a strongish squad.

Hopefully our new manager will combat that. And put an end to our playing three centre-halves which, to me, is a major part of our problem rather than something of a solution.

[Hullfox]

Weso (lost once in 9 when he started)

You can't quote figures like that to defend players when it could be argued that we lost once in nine when playing three centre halves and Chambers in midfield, both of which you don't agree with.

[Lord Nibblington]

Weso (lost once in 9 when he started), King (not lost when he started) and Sheehan all have excellent first team records.

I have no problems with you using Weso and Sheehan as an example... but King. Seriously. He's started TWO games. That's really not enough to use him as an example. It's not that much better than saying we always win when Kabei plays!

[Thracian]

I have no problems with you using Weso and Sheehan as an example... but King. Seriously. He's started TWO games. That's really not enough to use him as an example. It's not that much better than saying we always win when Kabei plays!

Except that King has done stacks of winning at various levels at Leicester and Kaebi has done very little.

[Lord Nibblington]

Except that King has done stacks of winning at various levels at Leicester and Kaebi has done very little.

Yes, but when we're talking about impact at first time level, claiming King's undefeated record in 2 starts as a beacon of his importance to team is perhaps overstreching it a little somewhat, no?

Thus why I say if someone were claiming that Kaebi has a 100% record when playing for the first team, this is why he should start, it would be a similar kind of thing.

Not the same, just a similar kind of thing.

[He's not bald]

I have no problems with you using Weso and Sheehan as an example... but King. Seriously. He's started TWO games. That's really not enough to use him as an example. It's not that much better than saying we always win when Kabei plays!

Actually we've not won a game when I've been wearing my away shirt!

[Thracian]

Yes, but when we're talking about impact at first time level, claiming King's undefeated record in 2 starts as a beacon of his importance to team is perhaps overstreching it a little somewhat, no?

Thus why I say if someone were claiming that Kaebi has a 100% record when playing for the first team, this is why he should start, it would be a similar kind of thing.

Not the same, just a similar kind of thing.

If you believe that there's no point me arguing with you. Kaebi's not got a 100% record playing for the reserves, not by a long way, and has never yet started a game for the first team.

[ceebeefox]

Dan Nice?

There's no way that's a real person. Who's writing the next article, Eddie Angry?

Actually he is. In fact I went to school with his Dad Don and had many happy City away days under Bloomfield Wallace Milne e.t.c. with him.

Very well written Dan, hopefully the next manager can pick the older heads down the spine e.g. Cort , Clemence , Kisnorbo , and McCauley and give the kids a chance out wide Porter , Gradel , Stearman and Mattock or Sheehan.

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

Except that King has done stacks of winning at various levels at Leicester and Kaebi has done very little.

Ok if you want to look at it that way Kaebi has done stacks of winning at international level:WC qualification/Asia cup success/50 International caps etc

A comment like that does not back up your claim that king should get a chance in the leicester side.Nor does Kaebi's list of past acheivements prove he should.

[reynard]

From the "This is Leicestershire" website.

BY DAN NICE

A quick glance at this season's Leicester City squad will tell you all about the fantastic work done at the club's academy in recent times.

Graduates Joe Mattock, Richard Stearman, Alan Sheehan, James Wesolowski and Levi Porter have all featured regularly this season, while Andy King has also come through for his first team bow this term.

Mattock and King were both members of the under-18s side that won the FA Premier League Final against Sunderland last season - and that has led the academy to be nominated in the Under-19 Team category of the Leicester Mercury Sports Award for what was a fantastic achievement.

City drew 2-2 in the game, before winning 4-3 on penalties, with Mattock holding his nerve to stroke home the winning kick.

The match followed swiftly on from a tough game against Arsenal, who City beat 3-2 in the semi-final, having topped their section in the league programme.

Academy director Jon Rudkin described it as a "tremendous achievement", and the win capped off a busy year for himself and academy assistant director Steve Beaglehole.

Rudkin paid tribute to the players and staff after the game at Sunderland's Stadium of Light capped off a fine season.

He said: "It's a tremendous achievement because it was a hard week. We travelled down to Arsenal to play one of the best in the country and did magnificently down there.

"To go up to Sunderland, play on their home territory and win was a terrific effort. We came under a lot of pressure during the game. There was a terrific crowd up there. This is full recognition for the players and staff for what they have achieved ."

Rudkin said the main aim of the academy is to produce first team players, but the team's success was a major bonus.

He said at the time: "As I have said before, it's about the performance and the development of each player.

"To win trophies is a great achievement, but it's not our primary target. That is to develop players for the future of this football club. The boys have shown they are going in the right direction."

Other players from the academy have been doing well at Football League clubs this season on loan spells.

Two other members of the side that beat Sunderland - Max Gradel and Eric Odhiambo - gained experience at League One sides Bournemouth and Southend United in the early part of this season, with Gradel particularly impressive before being granted compassionate leave by the Cherries following the death of his mother.

Other players to have come through the system in recent years include Conrad Logan, who is on loan at Stockport County, and Louis Dodds, who is on loan to Lincoln City.

This is all well and good but the table doesn't lie. We are near the bottom because we are poor. It is great to see youngsters emerging but the fact that they are getting anywhere near the first team in such numbers is not an indication that they are ready/good enough etc but a sad reflection on how poor the more senior members of the squad are. The introduction of 1 or 2 youngsters into a winning confident team would truly be a sign of emerging youth talent. The current situation simply arises out of desperation because the so-called senior pros are simply not upto the job. Excluding loan players there is not a single player on the books who is either good enough or ready enough to be a premier league player and this lack of quality in any position (except gk) is the reason we are doing so badly.

[Thracian]

This is all well and good but the table doesn't lie. We are near the bottom because we are poor. It is great to see youngsters emerging but the fact that they are getting anywhere near the first team in such numbers is not an indication that they are ready/good enough etc but a sad reflection on how poor the more senior members of the squad are. The introduction of 1 or 2 youngsters into a winning confident team would truly be a sign of emerging youth talent. The current situation simply arises out of desperation because the so-called senior pros are simply not upto the job. Excluding loan players there is not a single player on the books who is either good enough or ready enough to be a premier league player and this lack of quality in any position (except gk) is the reason we are doing so badly.

I agree with that and said in the summer that I thought it would be much harder for our better youngsters to retain their places regularly this season.

The fact that they justify their places in the team or matchday squad pays testimony to far too many bad or indifferent signings.

Furthermore I see very little coming through from the reserves either.

Two of the more promising ones, McKay and Beswick are injured, Odhiambo seems to be treading water and Ashley Chambers is the same as all try to cope in a side which has too many weaknesses.

Billy Kee has looked a long way off first team standard too on the occasions I've seen him in the reserves (as you'd expect for one so inexperienced) and, despite his cult following, Sappleton has a way to go too.

[Thracian]

You can't quote figures like that to defend players when it could be argued that we lost once in nine when playing three centre halves and Chambers in midfield, both of which you don't agree with.

Can't see how the system or anything else negates their "excellent first team records".

I didn't see much choice to playing Chambers in midfield but would rather see him at right back and no, I don't generally agree with playing three centre-backs.

That said I understood why Megson did it and said so. In fact I was generally quite supportive of Megson despite being against his appointment and knowing that his approach and style of play would never be mine.

[Lord Nibblington]

If you believe that there's no point me arguing with you. Kaebi's not got a 100% record playing for the reserves, not by a long way, and has never yet started a game for the first team.

Never saying he did. I'm just saying because Kaebi played 15 minutes, against Watford, you could argue that when he plays for the first team we have a 100% record. I personally think it's a crap arguement.

I was saying that that arguement, is not a million miles away from the one that you were putting forward. You're saying King has an excellent first team record. That we've not lost when he's started. My point was that he's started a whopping 2 games. It's really not a strong arguement. THAT's my point.

At the end of the day, a 15 minute sub appearance, isn't that far off starting 2 games, in the context of the number of games played in a season.

And, as I said in my original post, I have no qualms about you using the records of Sheehan and Weso as how the younger players have helped the side this season. I was picking you up on the point of King. Are you seriously saying that based on 2 games, King's record in the first team can be used as an exemplar?

[Hullfox]

Are you seriously saying that based on 2 games, King's record in the first team can be used as an exemplar?

Basically yes he is.

[Babylon]

Screaming out for more youth players, less youth players, more nut allergy sufferers or less Sagittarians won't make a blind bit of difference.

[Thracian]

Never saying he did. I'm just saying because Kaebi played 15 minutes, against Watford, you could argue that when he plays for the first team we have a 100% record. I personally think it's a crap arguement.

I was saying that that arguement, is not a million miles away from the one that you were putting forward. You're saying King has an excellent first team record. That we've not lost when he's started. My point was that he's started a whopping 2 games. It's really not a strong arguement. THAT's my point.

At the end of the day, a 15 minute sub appearance, isn't that far off starting 2 games, in the context of the number of games played in a season.

And, as I said in my original post, I have no qualms about you using the records of Sheehan and Weso as how the younger players have helped the side this season. I was picking you up on the point of King. Are you seriously saying that based on 2 games, King's record in the first team can be used as an exemplar?

You might be able to argue on behalf of Kaebi. I couldn't.