Stiffs v Burnley

[fyds]

Good game tonight against a very experienced Burnley team, half full of firts teamers back from injury or getting fitness up - including for 65 minutes Owen Coyle, who regulalrly got clattered by Ayala.

 

First half was a bit Kick-n'-Rush, but we could have had it in the net within 5 mins witha fine Ayala header from a corner. Eccleston went close a couple of times, Amoo once but mostly the Burnley keeper was pretty solid. Second half, one of their multi-clogger CB's got sent off for his 3rd clattering kung-fu tackle, two of which had been on Eccleston, one on Amoo. Liverpool had already setepped up the tempo by this point, probably drawing the carthorse into the challenge to begin with, and the passing was getting crisper, quicker and better. The new Hungarian lad, Zsolt Poloskei was excellent in his first real outing - great vision and good feet - yes, two of them. The game was won in injury time when Pacheco, who had missed a sitter from the in-form and ever willing Robbie Threlfall, crossing hard along the ground, dragged back from the touchline at pace after beating ex manc Eckersley by turning him inside out, finally curled a last minute free kick beautifully in an arc over the wall and rippled the inside of the keepers right-hand side netting. A deserved win, but not enough for John McMahon who claimed many of his players did what they needed to and little more 'too many 6/10's' (does he read the Genny?) said John - I expect 8-9/10 on a regular basis if you play for this club. Tough taskmaster! In goal, Hansen had one save only of note to make all game.

 

Rafa, Sammy and Tupac were in attendance and will have admired the skill and guile of Pacheco and Poloskei, the drive and enthusiasm of Spearing, Derby, Threlfall and Eccleston - not to mention the sheer gritty 'they shall not pass-edness' of Ayala.

 

For his fans Brouwer came on as sub and again, nearly scored with his first touch, and would have scored two except for one fine instinctive save and a really good block from one of their less-grockle like defenders.

 

Good stuff - unless you're John McMahon.

[richwilks]

Ayala has really stepped up in the last 6 months or so.

 

When I saw him in the U-18s he looked below par but he's kicked on massively. He's really good in the air and loves a tackle.

 

I like the look of Amoo, he's so powerful and could be a real handful from the bench over the next 18-24 months.

 

Pacheco is a step up from anything I've seen at reserve team level in the past few years. Has genuine class.

[fyds]

I really liked the look of the new lad too - can't have had a great deal of time with the boys, but seemed to be able to find them without looking - great feet, really quick in his sorting and distribution. Threlfall is beginning to show that promise he had before his last knock as well.

[richwilks]

I really liked the look of the new lad too - can't have had a great deal of time with the boys, but seemed to be able to find them without looking - great feet, really quick in his sorting and distribution. Threlfall is beginning to show that promise he had before his last knock as well.

 

Went to Hereford a few times on loan and they had good things to say about him. That was League One then though so a bit of a gap to bridge.

[Leo No.8]

Pacheco is totally wasted on the reserves now - I find it exasperating he's not featuring on the bench for the first team (he has been injured, but I think Rafa is being overly cautious with him anyway).

 

Voronin is occupying a position on the bench which would be much better used on Pacheco.

Edited October 8, 2009 by Leo No.8

[fyds]

True enough, but it's still just that bit more competitive than ressie level, and its seems to have got him back on track.

[fyds]

Pacheco is totally wasted on the reserves now - I find it exasperating he's not featuring on the bench for the first team (he has been injured, but I think Rafa is being overly cautious with him anyway).

 

Voronin is occupying a position on the bench which would be much better used on Pacheco.

I think that's true on all counts - but he's still a kid, and maybe Rafa was hoping he'd fill out a bit physically...he's certainly getting physically stronger.

[Leo No.8]

I think that's true on all counts - but he's still a kid, and maybe Rafa was hoping he'd fill out a bit physically...he's certainly getting physically stronger.

 

I agree thats what Rafa is thinking. He only really tends to give chances to the bigger, older and stronger young players which is one policy of his I don't agree with at all. I think the really talented kids should be thrown in earlier.

 

I just think that you don't have to be physically strong for a 15 minute cameo when we're 3-0 up. I'd like to see how his talent fits at that level, and with seven subs now you can include him and its no great risk.

 

I feel he's the type of player who will flourish alongside better players.

Edited October 8, 2009 by Leo No.8

[Mike]

I agree thats what Rafa is thinking. He only really tends to give chances to the bigger, older and stronger young players which is one policy of his I don't agree with at all. I think the really talented kids should be thrown in earlier.

 

I just think that you don't have to be physically strong for a 15 minute cameo when we're 3-0 up. I'd like to see how his talent fits at that level, and with seven subs now you can include him and its no great risk.

 

I feel he's the type of player who will flourish alongside better players.

 

correct.

[richwilks]

correct.

 

Definitely.

[Leo No.8]

His anticipation, reading of the game and ability to read other players' runs then time and weight his passes perfectly is something you can't teach, and is what for me sets him apart from all the other kids at the club.

 

You don't need strength to play the way he does, what you need is to have great movement and pace around him to make the most of his ability. I could see him making himself a yard with a little trick then slipping Torres in behind the defence.

 

Add to that his intelligence, excellent attitude and technique and I think we have a potential star here. But we won't know until we see him with the first team; I believe continuing to play him with reserves is actually holding his development up.

Edited October 8, 2009 by Leo No.8

[richwilks]

I believe continuing to play him with reserves is actually holding his development up.

 

It does because as good as some of the reserves are they aren't natural readers of the game. Some players can anticipate passes, Torres and Gerrard are two such players.

 

I watch a fair bit of the reserves and often see Pacheco play a pass which looks awful because no one has anitcipated it. Much less likely to happen in the first team.

 

Benitez would worry that he could come in and be kicked off the park for the time he's on the pitch which could dent his confidence I guess, although that happens at reserves team level as well.

[New York Red]

Who is Tupac?

[fyds]

Who is Tupac?

Little Paco (Pako?) Mk II - Elisha once said that the lads had nicknamed him 'Tupac' as a result.

[fyds]

It does because as good as some of the reserves are they aren't natural readers of the game. Some players can anticipate passes, Torres and Gerrard are two such players.

 

I watch a fair bit of the reserves and often see Pacheco play a pass which looks awful because no one has anitcipated it. Much less likely to happen in the first team.

 

Benitez would worry that he could come in and be kicked off the park for the time he's on the pitch which could dent his confidence I guess, although that happens at reserves team level as well.

As much as it will drive mike and a few others mad to think of it, the only one who always seems to understand what he's about with those passes is Brouwer - maybe Bruna.

[New York Red]

Little Paco (Pako?) Mk II - Elisha once said that the lads had nicknamed him 'Tupac' as a result.

 

Good one!!!

[New York Red]

I'd really love to be able to watch the reserve games.

[Maldini]

I'd really love to be able to watch the reserve games.

 

you can watch them in the states if you have the e-season ticket

[Leo No.8]

I watch a fair bit of the reserves and often see Pacheco play a pass which looks awful because no one has anitcipated it. Much less likely to happen in the first team.

 

Exactly - if anything that pass that looks awful in the ressies is the brilliant one in the first team, the defence splitter.

[fyds]

I'd really love to be able to watch the reserve games.

Mail me mate

[New York Red]

you can watch them in the states if you have the e-season ticket

 

DOH!!! Thanks mate. I may just do that.

[New York Red]

Mail me mate

 

Unless my good mate Fyds helps me out that is...

[Sion]

Amoo is a cracking prospect you know. Ran the game again. With 7 subs I really thought the likes of him would get chances. Annoys me when our bench is defence heavy with the odd Voronin or N'gog thrown in there for effect.

[Earl Hafler]

His anticipation, reading of the game and ability to read other players' runs then time and weight his passes perfectly is something you can't teach, and is what for me sets him apart from all the other kids at the club.

 

Anticipation, application

[richwilks]

Amoo is a cracking prospect you know. Ran the game again. With 7 subs I really thought the likes of him would get chances. Annoys me when our bench is defence heavy with the odd Voronin or N'gog thrown in there for effect.

 

 

I'd love to see Amoo on the bench instead of Voronin. He is much more likely to make an impact from the bench than Voronin is.