Michael Cheek spent 9 years in the National League as a consistent goal scorer, before at the age of 32/33 finally getting his chance in the EFL, and he's continued scoring in L2 at the same rate.
The gap between NL and L2 is probably smaller than any of the gaps between the EFL leagues, and tiny when compared to the chasm between the PL and Championship.
Michael Cheek spent 9 years in the National League as a consistent goal scorer, before at the age of 32/33 finally getting his chance in the EFL, and he's continued scoring in L2 at the same rate.
The gap between NL and L2 is probably smaller than any of the gaps between the EFL leagues, and tiny when compared to the chasm between the PL and Championship.
Wings at Tonbridge last night, a poor and disjointed 2-0 defeat. One well saved shot early in the game, and that was it.
Head still just above the water but nothing from that is looking very promising.
There were a couple of other chances early on that perhaps they should have done better with, plus the very good save you mention. However, as soon as Tonbridge scored the Welling goal "threat" seemed to dry up. They were largely outplayed in the second half and it was a comfortable win for the Angels. I think it's going to be a relegation battle right to the wire this year, and I am not convinced they will survive.
As Cardinal Sin so eloquently put it when we constantly hoofed the ball into the opposition back four and never won a thing ”Like chucking donuts to an elephant”
Welling have just let their assistant manager go. Strange one as he seemed more tactically nous than the manager. Done well when asked to step up in Rod Stringer’s absence
Would like us to sign Will Davies from Sutton as Chuks replacement. Wouldn't break the bank. Scores all sorts of goals and can make his own chances. 25.
I have to ask the question and see what other people’s thought are? is it better to be playing say step 2-3-4 men’s football as a 17/18 year old or be in an academy? For me unless your in cat1 environment it maybe better to be playing men’s football
I have to ask the question and see what other people’s thought are? is it better to be playing say step 2-3-4 men’s football as a 17/18 year old or be in an academy? For me unless your in cat1 environment it maybe better to be playing men’s football
Play non-league. I'd argue it's better for development than any Academy football. Even the likes of Chelsea players have benefitted hugely from playing non-league. It's not just the physicality that's important....it's the pressure of getting results and coping with situations. I've seen so many Academy boys come to Hendon who couldn't handle it. I've also seen a fair number who have come and done really well. It's survival of the fittest.
I have to ask the question and see what other people’s thought are? is it better to be playing say step 2-3-4 men’s football as a 17/18 year old or be in an academy? For me unless your in cat1 environment it maybe better to be playing men’s football
I've seen a fair few academy lads from L1/L2 playing on loan at Step 1 and 2. They learn a lot by dropping down, but the technique they bring from those academies is what sets them apart from the players who are playing above their level. So I think they get the best of both worlds. I think playing at the non-league level gives them a fast track to being a more rounded, experienced, competitive player.
I'm working with a guy who would have made it through the Chelsea academy to play in, probably, the Championship. He's only in Step 2 because he lost his love for it all. As Simonsen says, playing in a club where results matter is key, and that has changed his mindset. So now he loves the game again.
Saw both sides of the coin when I was at Worthing. Had plenty of Brighton academy youth players on loan being on their doorstep and it was really sink or swim. The one that stood out an absolute mile and you could tell within the first couple of games that he'd make it is Carl Rushworth , fantastic shot stopper , excellent with his feet but it was being bullied every game by sides that would launch long throws and set pieces on top of him every time that really helped.
Was some that had the technical ability but got completely overwhelmed by the physicality coming from academy football and older wiser players that know every trick in the book.
I understand why Chris Lock doesn't want to loan out some of the U21s but someone like a Pat Casey who's got an outstanding scoring record at age group level but hasn't yet made the leap to the first team could probably do with an NLS loan somewhere.
Saw both sides of the coin when I was at Worthing. Had plenty of Brighton academy youth players on loan being on their doorstep and it was really sink or swim. The one that stood out an absolute mile and you could tell within the first couple of games that he'd make it is Carl Rushworth , fantastic shot stopper , excellent with his feet but it was being bullied every game by sides that would launch long throws and set pieces on top of him every time that really helped.
Was some that had the technical ability but got completely overwhelmed by the physicality coming from academy football and older wiser players that know every trick in the book.
I understand why Chris Lock doesn't want to loan out some of the U21s but someone like a Pat Casey who's got an outstanding scoring record at age group level but hasn't yet made the leap to the first team could probably do with an NLS loan somewhere.
There's a balance for players between the physicality of playing men's football, and the technique required to play at the top level, so a mixture of academy and "proper" football is idea.
With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either. Plus the opposition forwards are unlikely to have the speed of rocket powered 19 year old academy forwards in a one on one situation. But on the other hand, it's perfect for learning the physical side, and how to deal with crosses in a crowded penalty box.
A higher level, but we saw that on Saturday where the Orient keeper ruined an excellent display with 2 bad decisions on whether to claim the ball or not.
With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either. Plus the opposition forwards are unlikely to have the speed of rocket powered 19 year old academy forwards in a one on one situation. But on the other hand, it's perfect for learning the physical side, and how to deal with crosses in a crowded penalty box.
A higher level, but we saw that on Saturday where the Orient keeper ruined an excellent display with 2 bad decisions on whether to claim the ball or not.
Interesting this because both Manchester City and Manchester United have sent out highly-rated goalkeepers on loan to clubs in the National League North this season (Elyh Harrison to Chester; True Grant to Buxton).
With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either. Plus the opposition forwards are unlikely to have the speed of rocket powered 19 year old academy forwards in a one on one situation. But on the other hand, it's perfect for learning the physical side, and how to deal with crosses in a crowded penalty box.
A higher level, but we saw that on Saturday where the Orient keeper ruined an excellent display with 2 bad decisions on whether to claim the ball or not.
Interesting this because both Manchester City and Manchester United have sent out highly-rated goalkeepers on loan to clubs in the National League North this season (Elyh Harrison to Chester; True Grant to Buxton).
PL teams can play the long game with their young keepers. At 19 they're years away from playing from the first team, if they even make it that far, I imagine their academy coaches think that now is the time to toughen them up!
Saw both sides of the coin when I was at Worthing. Had plenty of Brighton academy youth players on loan being on their doorstep and it was really sink or swim. The one that stood out an absolute mile and you could tell within the first couple of games that he'd make it is Carl Rushworth , fantastic shot stopper , excellent with his feet but it was being bullied every game by sides that would launch long throws and set pieces on top of him every time that really helped.
Was some that had the technical ability but got completely overwhelmed by the physicality coming from academy football and older wiser players that know every trick in the book.
I understand why Chris Lock doesn't want to loan out some of the U21s but someone like a Pat Casey who's got an outstanding scoring record at age group level but hasn't yet made the leap to the first team could probably do with an NLS loan somewhere.
With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either.
Comments
The gap between NL and L2 is probably smaller than any of the gaps between the EFL leagues, and tiny when compared to the chasm between the PL and Championship.
Head still just above the water but nothing from that is looking very promising.
”Like chucking donuts to an elephant”
Strange one as he seemed more tactically nous than the manager.
Done well when asked to step up in Rod Stringer’s absence
is it better to be playing say step 2-3-4 men’s football as a 17/18 year old or be in an academy? For me unless your in cat1 environment it maybe better to be playing men’s football
So I think they get the best of both worlds. I think playing at the non-league level gives them a fast track to being a more rounded, experienced, competitive player.
I'm working with a guy who would have made it through the Chelsea academy to play in, probably, the Championship. He's only in Step 2 because he lost his love for it all. As Simonsen says, playing in a club where results matter is key, and that has changed his mindset. So now he loves the game again.
Was some that had the technical ability but got completely overwhelmed by the physicality coming from academy football and older wiser players that know every trick in the book.
I understand why Chris Lock doesn't want to loan out some of the U21s but someone like a Pat Casey who's got an outstanding scoring record at age group level but hasn't yet made the leap to the first team could probably do with an NLS loan somewhere.
He is kind of on some sort of cusp at the moment.
With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either. Plus the opposition forwards are unlikely to have the speed of rocket powered 19 year old academy forwards in a one on one situation. But on the other hand, it's perfect for learning the physical side, and how to deal with crosses in a crowded penalty box.
A higher level, but we saw that on Saturday where the Orient keeper ruined an excellent display with 2 bad decisions on whether to claim the ball or not.