Academy goals spectacular

[Thracian]

Maybe I've been a mite pessimistic about our Academy team but their second half performance today in a 5-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons offered new hope and a few more names to take note of.

Dons drew first blood at Belvoir Drive with a messy goal that was as much down to a mix-up between City's goalkeeper and a defender as the visiting striker's cool opportunism.

And the Dons might have retained that lead up to half-time but for a stunning and seemingly unlikely goal by midfielder Nathan Hicks.

Jorrin John appeared to waste a corner kick by passing it way back behind the penalty area into what seemed a wasteland.

The only City player around seemed unaware and disinterested as the pass missed him completely but just as the watching fans mumbled their frustration in hurtled Hicks to blast a screaming first time shot past the MK goalkeeper from 35 yards. It was a strike to grace any goal of the month competition.

City never looked back.

Their untidy huffing and puffing of the first half gave way to the slick passing and much more attacking style they've been noted for and by the final whistle goals by Elliott Chamberlain, Robbie Burns, Liam Moore and Claudio Hoban (?) had taken City to an emphatic 5-1 win and left manager Steve Beaglehole bellowing for them to finish the match with an exercise in keeping the ball, which they duly did for the main part with one move of over 25 passes.

Perhaps most notable of the goalscorers was Claudio Hoban a left-winger cum central midfielder who looked absolutely delighted to flight a curling free-kick in at the near post from about 25 yards. Hoban showed an ability to ghosts past players as if they weren't there and his penchant for skilled football was such that Beaglehole once berated him for playing a "Hollywood pass" instead of keeping it simple.

Such is professional football of course with and retaining possession being much more the requirement than impossible passes and fancy trickery.

Never mind. It was good to watch someone trying to do things with the ball instead of just hitting standard backwards and sideways passes.

Earlier, Chamberlain had put City ahead after a deft piece of tickery by Jorrin John on the right allowed him to fire a teasing cross to the near post where a flick on caused the Dons goalkeeper to mishandle the ball and Chamberlain pounced for an easy finish.

City's third was in the same bracket as Hicks' - superb. Craig King was the provider to Robbie Burns whose slick control and turn ended with a stunning left-foot volley from the edge of the box which the Dons keeper barely saw.

Goal number four was altogether more scrappy with the ball richotting off various players in the box before Liam Moore muscled in pinch the goal. In terms of spectacle it was an everyday finish but Moore was marked by a much taller centre-back who was determined to make the City man aware of his presence. Moore refused to be intimidated, pushed and harried his way free and was rewarded for what was sheer bloody-mindedness.

It as a quality that showed in his play generally.

Hoban's goal rounded off and City could probably justify thinking the second half was one of their best halves of the season.

Individually Lee Cox read the game well at centre-back/right-back and rarely wasted the ball with his distribution.

Lathanial Rowe-Turner, looking fitter and stronger than whn I last saw him, had quite authorative game at left-back even if he still showed minor lapses in concentration and awareness for a player with so much experience.

Ben Milnes caught the eye in front of the back four second half, Jorrin John was involved in at least a couple of the goals and Craig King looked better for playing more one-touch and selfless football instead of slowing the moves with too many touches. He still frustrated at times with his inconsistent control but it was among the best games I've seen from him.

Man of the Match was no easy choice. Hicks and Burns scored their goals to remember, King worked tirelessly, Hoban carried the master-key that might have unlocked any under 18 defence and Cox was solid and uncompromising at the back. There was little between them but it was good to see our Academy side at last looking like more like the team of old. If only for 45 minutes.

PS: apologies for any mispelt names. I had to rely on watching parents/friends to identify some players.

[sdb]

Jorrin John, not heard his name for a while. Isn't he meant to be a big talent? With a terrible attitude? I can't quite remember. Anyway, good to see the academy doing well again.

[Thracian]

Jorrin John, not heard his name for a while. Isn't he meant to be a big talent? With a terrible attitude? I can't quite remember. Anyway, good to see the academy doing well again.

Nothing he did today suggests a bad attitude.

It is not often mentioned but, apart from being responsible for their football development, the Academy does much to provide a positive environment in which young players can develop as people.

When I mentioned the other day that the Academy provides an important social service I was being serious.

And the Jorrin John I saw today looked a much more assured and significant young man than the youngster I watched last season.

He's bigger, stronger and worked as if he wanted to.

He did himself credit.

[davieG]

Wished I'd seen that game because up to now I've never seen Hicks do anything remotely note worthy in fact I've wondered why he was even in the team.

[Thracian]

Wished I'd seen that game because up to now I've never seen Hicks do anything remotely note worthy in fact I've wondered why he was even in the team.

Even at his young age I would bet he'll never score another goal like it.

Unfortunately, apart from the goal, I don't have another note that mentions his name and he was subsequently subbed.

As an aside, another thing of note today was the number of times Beaglehole got players to change positions.

It's always happened to some extent but, for example, Lee Cox started at centre-back then moved to right-back as Luke O'Neill moved to right midfield and Jorrin John moved inside from the wing.

Craig King was utilised all over the place, centre-forward, just behind the front two, central midfield...

He was certainly exploring players' capabilities and giving them experience of different aspects of the game.

[davieG]

Even at his young age I would bet he'll never score another goal like it.

Unfortunately, apart from the goal, I don't have another note that mentions his name and he was subsequently subbed.

As an aside, another thing of note today was the number of times Beaglehole got players to change positions.

It's always happened to some extent but, for example, Lee Cox started at centre-back then moved to right-back as Luke O'Neill moved to right midfield and Jorrin John moved inside from the wing.

Craig King was utilised all over the place, centre-forward, just behind the front two, central midfield...

He was certainly exploring players' capabilities and giving them experience of different aspects of the game.

Yes they seemed to be doing that a lot, I can't really see the benefit of over doing it, you just end up with confused minds.

[Sods]

Yes they seemed to be doing that a lot, I can't really see the benefit of over doing it, you just end up with confused minds.

See I think its a good thing to do at that age. Learning about different positions, being able to anticipate what might happen in different positions with your own experiance of playing there. Plus you never know, they might offer more in that position.

I read somewhere about a youth manager that used to switch the centre backs with the centre forwards if the game was in the bag. Learning more about the player you maybe up against.

[davieG]

See I think its a good thing to do at that age. Learning about different positions, being able to anticipate what might happen in different positions with your own experiance of playing there. Plus you never know, they might offer more in that position.

I read somewhere about a youth manager that used to switch the centre backs with the centre forwards if the game was in the bag. Learning more about the player you maybe up against.

Well doing it now and again seems fine and I'm all for it but I've yet to see Craig King play in the same position - I just feel they're over doing it.

[sdb]

who stands out thrac? (don't say everyone!!)

any who look likely to break into the 1st team in the next year or 2?

and i like the idea of playing players in various positions - pretty sure it's what liverpool did with the reserves in their glory days - centre backs in midfield to improve ball control for example

[Thracian]

who stands out thrac? (don't say everyone!!)

any who look likely to break into the 1st team in the next year or 2?

and i like the idea of playing players in various positions - pretty sure it's what liverpool did with the reserves in their glory days - centre backs in midfield to improve ball control for example

Standing out and being first team potential are not necessarily the same thing.

Clearly the club see Ashley Chambers, Luke O'Neill and Craig King as being capable of first team football having already involved them briefly but I should also mention that Eric Odhiambo was another who got on the first team fringe - and played against Aston Villa - but like all the above, it was a brief and easily forgotten foray.

Apart from ability there are other aspects that clearly matter. Personal attitude, durability, physical strength and how you get on with the manager and, just as important, his staff.

It has been clear at Leicester that some have had a brief taster first team wise but others, like Louis Dodds, Billy McKay and Ryan Beswick never got a sniff between them.

Is McKay and was Louis Dodds a worse player than Craig King or Eric Odhiambo and would Ryan Beswick have less impact on a game than Ashley Chambers? My view would be "no" all round but I might be wrong and the City decisio makers right.

Anyway, neither Beswick nor McKay feature for the Academy any longer and reseves matches are closed to the public. But in the current Academy team I'd say Lee Cox and Billy Kee seem promising and so is Craig King if he really works on harnessing some wonderful skills to greater effect.

I'd never watched him before but liked the positive football of Claudio Hoban and Liam Moore looked as if he had the strength, determination and attitude to be successful.

But I really wouldn't want to rule anyone out. People change, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse, in their teens. They also change physically and lightweights like Sam Veasey can quickly become strong and aggressive, like little terriers. I wish all of them the best.

[footballerconz]

Finally the Academy side are starting to win again. I was down at the training ground on Saturday at witnessed a wonderful goal by the young almighty Nathan Hicks. But I don’t thinking the winning streak will last for long. The ability is there but the only problem is they chose when to perform and when not to.

Does anyone know what happened to Adi Yussuf? Started the game at the Walkers stadium at week ago and scored a spectacular which was one of the goals of the season for the team. And suddenly and week later does even feature in the game.

And I was glad to see some of the young players from the academy getting a game. People like Claudio Hoban and Liam Moore haven’t featured a lot for the young foxes this season. But when given the chance they took it well. Moore didn’t look a spot out of place and you would never have known he was from the academy under 16 team.

I think its about time that Steve Beaglehole gave the young players (Mainly the 1st year scholars) a chance at clamming a starting place in the under 18 team.

[davieG]

Finally the Academy side are starting to win again. I was down at the training ground on Saturday at witnessed a wonderful goal by the young almighty Nathan Hicks. But I don't thinking the winning streak will last for long. The ability is there but the only problem is they chose when to perform and when not to.

Does anyone know what happened to Adi Yussuf? Started the game at the Walkers stadium at week ago and scored a spectacular which was one of the goals of the season for the team. And suddenly and week later does even feature in the game.

And I was glad to see some of the young players from the academy getting a game. People like Claudio Hoban and Liam Moore haven't featured a lot for the young foxes this season. But when given the chance they took it well. Moore didn't look a spot out of place and you would never have known he was from the academy under 16 team.

I think its about time that Steve Beaglehole gave the young players (Mainly the 1st year scholars) a chance at clamming a starting place in the under 18 team.

I am sure he would if we had a reserve side, which is where the likes of Kee, Sappleton and Craig King should be playing.

[JakeShingler]

Nothing he did today suggests a bad attitude.

It is not often mentioned but, apart from being responsible for their football development, the Academy does much to provide a positive environment in which young players can develop as people.

When I mentioned the other day that the Academy provides an important social service I was being serious.

And the Jorrin John I saw today looked a much more assured and significant young man than the youngster I watched last season.

He's bigger, stronger and worked as if he wanted to.

He did himself credit.

Good to hear

[Thracian]

Finally the Academy side are starting to win again. I was down at the training ground on Saturday at witnessed a wonderful goal by the young almighty Nathan Hicks. But I don’t thinking the winning streak will last for long. The ability is there but the only problem is they chose when to perform and when not to.

Does anyone know what happened to Adi Yussuf? Started the game at the Walkers stadium at week ago and scored a spectacular which was one of the goals of the season for the team. And suddenly and week later does even feature in the game.

And I was glad to see some of the young players from the academy getting a game. People like Claudio Hoban and Liam Moore haven’t featured a lot for the young foxes this season. But when given the chance they took it well. Moore didn’t look a spot out of place and you would never have known he was from the academy under 16 team.

I think its about time that Steve Beaglehole gave the young players (Mainly the 1st year scholars) a chance at clamming a starting place in the under 18 team.

And I am quite sure that Beaglehole knows best how to balance his side and when to give the younger squad members an opportunity. He's had an enormous amount of experience and his success at City has been considerable.