Their match thread / back from the game
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/ind ... 4689.72920Some really good stuff in there to be fair, but I was amused by
Reading pens were like S.Korea in the Olympic quarter Final. Just perfectly executed.
Pretty good pens from Reading like, not bad from a bunch of shit footballers but good athletes
Another way of looking at it, we have a very attacking set up designed to breed these players in the liverpool way. If we were set up like Reading, we would have a lot more players covering and would be a lot more solid.
Development over results.
I don't begrudge Reading their win at all, they were good value and while it is certainly true that their management has prioritised winning over developing players (hence the athletes instead of footballers) their mentality was a credit to their club as they refused to say die. As did we, which made for a fantastic game to watch.
The only thing that really disappoints me is that the Reading player (McClellan? Something like that, anyway.) who raked his studs across Canos' ear after Canos had beaten him to the ball was the one to score their fourth goal. Shouldn't have been on the pitch at that point, I can't understand how the referee hasn't even booked him when he should have been sent off.
Compare it to Reading, they're set up to win games. Strong defensive formation. Holding midfielder who in front of the back 4 and striker up top on his own, sometimes with little support. They're a good side at this level, but those players aren't being designed to play at a CL club. They're being designed to be good in a competitive English club and be good for Reading. That suits them, and not us. Same reason why Norwich won the FA youth cup. Those kinds of sides have a knack of doing well in this competition.
Disappointing for them but they shouldn't be too downhearted. We deservedly got ahead in the tie and were the only team playing the football for most of the 120 mins. It's never nice to lose but they'll be stronger for it.
Congratulations to Reading. Not many 18 year olds will have got to test their long throw against both a future European Cup winning captain and a future Balon D'or winner.Unlucky to be out, but as others have remarked, they looked so much stronger and faster than us - their number 9 was a much better athlete than our defender that was on him.
Is goalkeeping always this poor at this level? Both teams' keepers were poor, and I've heard complaints before.
"Haha their number 9 looked like he lost eligibility two years ago!"
Brought from Hull this summer as a 16y/o (probably 17 now) for a compensation fee of 75k.
We should scout him until the end of the season. He might be a good signing for the the U21s next season.
particular joy to watch are the bitter tweets from
Michael Sweeting. He's now gone off on a vitriolic tirade against Blackburn's youth development.
Reading are through. Brannagan misses in the shootout. Such a cruel result on LFC who completely dominated a dogged Reading side.
Have to say I'm disappointed in the Reading coaching staff who became very unprofessional in extra time. Screaming "oxf*rd book him" over and over at Canos.
Submitted a match report to @thisisanfield. I'm scathing of Reading's approach. I don't like two banks of four & hoof it long at U18 level.
Saying "they're through, we aren't" misses the point. Reading staff doing a disservice to their players. #development. To the players this is great but what damage will long term coaching like this do to their career?
I don't regularly watch Reading U18s but if they play like that then they'll never produce top talent.
Your U21s were impressive. Your U18s were long ball, understandable under circumstances. As I said in article.
There was a lot of hoofing. Reliance on young Fridjonsson's throw-ins as well.
I'm just sick of youth teams that focus on results, too many in this country are like that. If you aren't like that on a weekly basis then fair enough, cup football is more reasonable to want result. I don't think you're lacking technically either that's the frustration for me. Young lads being inhibited.
Idiot.
