People forgetting how impressive and important mertesacker been for academy he could be such important piece in our board if we promote him to first team involvementit's beginning to look as if Kevin Betsy and Per are building something special for the future
He was fantastic today, I've always thought he had good work rate and bravery but very little technical quality - he looked a completely different player today. Betsy's doing fantastic work with these players. Walters looked solid when he came on for Balogun, Monlouis and Ogungbo were outstanding in defence and Lopez had BY FAR his best game for us.What's everyone thoughts on Akinola. I wasn't a fan at first but I am coming around. Very good at breaking up play and is comfortable in possession. Reminds me a little of Bissouma.
Was also impressed with our defence today.
MOTM guys? I'll say Patino was exceptional and gives me Fabrages vibes already, by far the best passer of the ball at the club
He was fantastic today, I've always thought he had good work rate and bravery but very little technical quality - he looked a completely different player today. Betsy's doing fantastic work with these players. Walters looked solid when he came on for Balogun, Monlouis and Ogungbo were outstanding in defence and Lopez had BY FAR his best game for us.
Also thought Salah-Eddine had a very good game alongside Patino and Akinola.
Make no mistake.....this was a VERY impressive result beating last season's PL2 runners up. It was the manner which we won this match which impressed me most. I didn't watch the full match but i'm hoping I can catch it somewhere online (If anybody has a link, please point me in the right direction). From comments made on here, it seems Patino, Salah Eddine Ogungbo, Monlouis, Lopez and Biereth had very good games. Biereth is just the striker we need. He works so hard upfront and his work rate alone will grab him a few extra goals. He seems really aggressive in the box which is good to see. I can imagine him being a pain to play against.
He's been pretty horrid every time I've watched the U23s.What's everyone thoughts on Akinola. I wasn't a fan at first but I am coming around. Very good at breaking up play and is comfortable in possession. Reminds me a little of Bissouma.
Was also impressed with our defence today.
Have patino, jack henry Francis and salah amid ever started a game together. I know it wouldn't work at the top level seeing that non of them is a DM but surely you play this trio together at the u23s at least a few times lol.
Patino and Azeez both want to do the same thing to a degree. The way to get both of them to do that is to play them both as 8s in a 3 with a more physical 6 behind them. Even then, tricky.Patino and Henry Francis compliment each other so well. I remember the few games Patino played alongside Azeez, they just never really meshed. Plus Patino played more subdued. He has really become more assertive in recent weeks. I think for U23, Patino, Salah and Francis can def play together depending on the opposition.