U17 Euro championships

zebediah · 30th May 2010, 05:31 PM

England 2 - 1 Spain a few minutes into the second half with a screamer!

A practise run of the World cup final (I wish).

JAZMAN2 · 30th May 2010, 05:45 PM

My cousin is Luke Garbutt. The Left Back who lives in Harrogate but is on Evertons Books. Left Leeds Academy for Everton at beginning of season

zebediah · 30th May 2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAZMAN2

My cousin is Luke Garbutt. The Left Back who lives in Harrogate but is on Evertons Books. Left Leeds Academy for Everton at beginning of season

He just got booked.

Then we nearly concede comedy own goal of the season!

Centre half goes to make clearance on the edge of the box, belts it off Luke and the ball ricochets off the post.

JAZMAN2 · 30th May 2010, 06:06 PM

I knew I shouldn't have bought him his first byuts.

Could never kick with his right foot either

zebediah · 30th May 2010, 06:11 PM

England are the champions! Courtesy of a cracking winner by some kid called Connor Wickham....anyone here heard of him?

Guinness Guzzler · 30th May 2010, 07:09 PM

Was a really enjoyable game, and a cracking performance from the lads who, unlike the first team, managed to pass the ball around well with a good tempo. The left and right backs did well coping with the Spanish threat from the wings, the centre backs were strong (one of them was only 15 and had a class game). Benik Afobe worked hard, Wickham looks a real talent, just a very refreshing watch all round

JAZMAN2 · 30th May 2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness Guzzler

Was a really enjoyable game, and a cracking performance from the lads who, unlike the first team, managed to pass the ball around well with a good tempo. The left and right backs did well coping with the Spanish threat from the wings, the centre backs were strong (one of them was only 15 and had a class game). Benik Afobe worked hard, Wickham looks a real talent, just a very refreshing watch all round

Yep I thought they did well and young Luke will be pleased with his performance as well as the win.

To be honest I don't see many of this team making it in the premiership and that includes Conor Wickham

Guinness Guzzler · 30th May 2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAZMAN2

Yep I thought they did well and young Luke will be pleased with his performance as well as the win.

To be honest I don't see many of this team making it in the premiership and that includes Conor Wickham

Bit early to tell tbh- they were going through the last england team to win a tournament (1993) and it had Scholes, Neville, Campbell and Fowler. A lot depends on the choices the lads make, but there is always a chance if you are good enough to be part of a side that can win a european championship for your age group

The centre back who is 15 for instance- some of the lads will have been 18, and 3 years is a huge difference at that age in yet the lad looked composed and was easily a match for the attackers, got to have half a chance of making it

I think Wickham will make it in the prem- the lad is only 17 and already looks powerful but with a decent touch and good awareness. unlike most of the others, he is getting a regular game already for a middle of the road CCC side, nothing to suggest he cant keep on improving and play in the prem (there is already prem interest in him)

As i say, a lot is down to choices and how well they are advised. Watching the way they played, and the way they celebrated, it was obvious that they are a group of young lads just enjoying their football. When they get decent contracts, it will be interesting to see how many of them retain this enthusiasm and how many think that because they are on 10k a week they have "made it", even though it would be possible to go on and get so much more

If they become overawed by their "success" early on, they wont make it. Also, they need good advice regarding when to go on loan, and who to go to, to ensure they get a good bit of league experience whilst also receiving good coaching

I think a good 5 or 6 of them could hope to make it in the prem (not talking about being the new Scholes or owt, but getting a regular game for a team in the prem, even if it is only a wolves or wigan), but they need to keep their feet on the ground and be sensible about it

I remember in 2006 watching the victory shield and saying at the time that the best players we had were Nathan Delfouneso, Nicky Ajose and Jack Rodwell. Obviously two of them have gone on to play in the prem and are well on their way to becoming established PL players. Ajose is still at manchester united and so you never know, it might yet happen for him. In 2007 Jonjo Shelvey was the best we had, and he looks set to join them. There is definitely a chance for these lads, i'm sure some will make a good career for themselves