Simon Ireland

[Peter Grummit]

There must be no sugar-coating of poor performance but an overrating of physical effort by young players is one of the reasons England produces relatively few technically brilliant footballers...

I know that you covered your bases by talking about "technical ability AND the will to work hard" but your post could be (mis)interpreted as rather "old school".

I did consider this when writing it (I'm generally a pass, pass, possession afficianado) but it was more the lack of a mental will-to-win that disappointed me last night. From SI's perspective, the aim should have been to put the game away from 1-0 and therefore avoid the 30 mins extra physical exertion if they were looking to manage workload.

PG

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Work rate and application will always be current, dont let anyone tell you different ......

Obviously, as part of an overall package. There are more useful measures of application than "getting stuck in" during a SSC tie.

 

[Albion 4ever]

Whatever way you look at it, the team were outplayed by a team that worked hard and played very direct. They are in the relegation zone of the Ryman Premier Division, which is the 7th tier of football and we mustered 2 worthwhile efforts on goal. Undoubtedly Lewes raised their game, but I would be worried that on an individual level many players were second best most of the night. If any of those players had any chance of playing first team football they should be bossing players at that level at 19-20 years of age.

 

[BigGully]

Obviously, as part of an overall package. There are more useful measures of application than "getting stuck in" during a SSC tie.

I know what you mean, but the reality remains being a technician without application you as a player are likely to fail, with application and less technique many still succeed.

Wholly agree, how you need to carefully measure and identify application other than with the English interpretation.

 

[Gazwag]

Why is no one asking questions about him as he is really important to us and our future.
He has amazing facilities, really good new players yet we are bottom of the U21 league and just lost to Lewes.
What is going on at our club looks like failure is now acceptable.

oh FFS who next are "supporters" like you going pick on, maybe you need a job or a girlfriend or something.

 

[Box of Frogs]

Is it half term already?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I know one thing about him. He played in the last ever game at the Goldstone ground.

I personally owe Simon Ireland an eternal debt of gratitude for that one. I left it far too late to get a ticket for the Donny match as I was working away in Reading at the time. As a extra large slice of luck would have it though, I was working alongside Simon's dad 'Big Mal'. Happened to moan in passing that I was gutted I was going to miss the last ever Goldstone game and he just piped up not to worry about it, his lad was on loan to Donny and he'd get him to leave me two tickets on the gate. I tell's thee, it's the nearest I've ever come to kissing a 20 stone bloke in an office environment!

As good as his word, the tickets were there waiting for me in the ticket office. So me and a mate watched the first half of the match in the Donny end before having a quiet word with a friendly steward and being escorted round to the North Stand at half-time. The rest, as they say, is history.

I wrote Simon Ireland a letter of profuse thanks c/o Donny the following day. Not sure if he ever got it. Hope he did. Only recently realised that our Simon Ireland is the same Simon Ireland. Maybe I'll write him another. Or better still shake his hand in person and buy him a beer. So if anyone can put us in touch...

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

So shall we just let everyone do what they want no matter results and just say don't worry its all good

Life would be so much easier that way but life is not like that and if you have a high profile important job you must do it to the best of your ability and if it does not work then in football you will get sacked.

Bear in mind that if he was doing well and winning matches etc. he would be loved by everyone and he would be enjoying the praise so you cant have it one way and not the other.

So, because you think that we would overreact if they were top of the league, he should be sacked because you can't have it both ways? Your logic makes absolutely no sense at all.

How about this.
1. We're in our first season playing against some of the best U21 teams in Europe. We're new to it. We don't have the budding talent in the squad yet.
2. We lost to Lewis. That has no relevance at all to our league position.
3. Results don't matter anywhere near as much in dev squads. They're used to get players game time and educate the youngsters.

 

[SI 4 BHA]

So, because you think that we would overreact if they were top of the league, he should be sacked because you can't have it both ways? Your logic makes absolutely no sense at all.

How about this.
1. We're in our first season playing against some of the best U21 teams in Europe. We're new to it. We don't have the budding talent in the squad yet.
2. We lost to Lewis. That has no relevance at all to our league position.
3. Results don't matter anywhere near as much in dev squads. They're used to get players game time and educate the youngsters.

Point 3 is certainly relevant regarding the u16 and u18 squads, but these are the u21's and should be on the verge of a first team break through, if there is any point to having this structure. You can't just turn up to play in the championship on the basis that you are technically good but can't compete physically and mentally, the seasoned pros you play against will destroy you. This was the 3rd time I've seen the u21's this season and it really doesn't look as though any of them are ready for 1st team action. Clearly this isn't the new academy's fault as many of these guys have been at the club for several years, but there does seem to be a philosophy at the club that technique alone is sufficient, which clearly, in the real world, it isn't.

 

[Marshy]

Honestly, I'm staggered at the ability of some to find new things to slate about the club on a day to day basis.

Even more impressive is the way it's often twisted into being a representation of just how much they care and only want the best for the club, if only others could see it their way.

The argument could be made (and I am) that those who are solely obsessed with success, seeing anything less as abject failure, are more like the 'customers' that they often disparage than supporters.

Things aren't perfect right now, very few would disagree with that, but it's not a disaster is it? How about having a little faith (or 'supporting' as it's known) instead, you'll find life a lot less stressful.

*deep breath*

Edit; Amazingly, forgot to actually post what was originally intended, so; Amazing facilties guarantee as much immediate success as a new stadium does, which is none. Give it a few years to see what comes of our youth teams, as in U16 and down (and whether any progress to the 1st team), before starting to write it off. U21 leagues would be lovely to win, but player progression is surely the main aim?

Spot on

 

[Whitechapel]

Despite all the doom and gloom around at the moment, including people moaning about or development squad, a piece of good news has slipped under the radar.

Glen Rea, our development squad captain has been given his first call-up to the ROI U-21 squad. Not bad seeming he only turned 20 a couple of months ago and hasn't got a look-in when if comes to the first team!

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/rea-named-in-ireland-u21-squad-2081676.aspx

 

[DIFFBROOK]

I am utterly amazed at the OP and some other contributions. We are talking about development here. The very word suggests that things will take time. There will be some players who will not progress, others will. Judge the academy, Simon Ireland and the players that are "developing" in 2-3 years time.

 

[AZ Gull]

I wasn't at the game last night and cannot comment on how well, or otherwise, the team played. However, it was certainly a young team. How young?

Two of the starting 11 were 2nd-year scholars. And a further 7 were lads in their first professional year (or at least, of that same age group - some actually signed a pro deal when they joined us last season, such as Starkey and Dallison).

Only Bradley Barry (a second year pro) and Shamir Fenelon (a third year pro) were more experienced [and even then, Barry only played in 4 matches last season due to injury].

The average age was less than 19 years; Fenelon the only player who has had his 20th birthday.

So, it was really an U-19 side that we put out.

Why so young - well, partly because the likes of JFC, Ince and Walton are now in the first team; Monakana is out on loan; Pappoe, Rea and Josh Smith were suspended; and Asmundsson is injured.

That's all from me - you may now return to slagging off the coach.

 

[lawros left foot]

Honestly, I'm staggered at the ability of some to find new things to slate about the club on a day to day basis.

Even more impressive is the way it's often twisted into being a representation of just how much they care and only want the best for the club, if only others could see it their way.

The argument could be made (and I am) that those who are solely obsessed with success, seeing anything less as abject failure, are more like the 'customers' that they often disparage than supporters.

Things aren't perfect right now, very few would disagree with that, but it's not a disaster is it? How about having a little faith (or 'supporting' as it's known) instead, you'll find life a lot less stressful.

*deep breath*

Edit; Amazingly, forgot to actually post what was originally intended, so; Amazing facilties guarantee as much immediate success as a new stadium does, which is none. Give it a few years to see what comes of our youth teams, as in U16 and down (and whether any progress to the 1st team), before starting to write it off. U21 leagues would be lovely to win, but player progression is surely the main aim?

I agree with every word

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I wasn't at the game last night and cannot comment on how well, or otherwise, the team played. However, it was certainly a young team. How young?

Two of the starting 11 were 2nd-year scholars. And a further 7 were lads in their first professional year (or at least, of that same age group - some actually signed a pro deal when they joined us last season, such as Starkey and Dallison).

Only Bradley Barry (a second year pro) and Shamir Fenelon (a third year pro) were more experienced [and even then, Barry only played in 4 matches last season due to injury].

The average age was less than 19 years; Fenelon the only player who has had his 20th birthday.

So, it was really an U-19 side that we put out.

Why so young - well, partly because the likes of JFC, Ince and Walton are now in the first team; Monakana is out on loan; Pappoe, Rea and Josh Smith were suspended; and Asmundsson is injured.

That's all from me - you may now return to slagging off the coach.

Glen Rea has had U21 ROI call up.
http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/rea-named-in-ireland-u21-squad-2081676.aspx

 

[AZ Gull]

Glen Rea has had U21 ROI call up.
http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/rea-named-in-ireland-u21-squad-2081676.aspx

Yep, saw that - very pleased for him.

 

[Rookie]

I wasn't at the game last night and cannot comment on how well, or otherwise, the team played. However, it was certainly a young team. How young?

Two of the starting 11 were 2nd-year scholars. And a further 7 were lads in their first professional year (or at least, of that same age group - some actually signed a pro deal when they joined us last season, such as Starkey and Dallison).

Only Bradley Barry (a second year pro) and Shamir Fenelon (a third year pro) were more experienced [and even then, Barry only played in 4 matches last season due to injury].

The average age was less than 19 years; Fenelon the only player who has had his 20th birthday.

So, it was really an U-19 side that we put out.

Why so young - well, partly because the likes of JFC, Ince and Walton are now in the first team; Monakana is out on loan; Pappoe, Rea and Josh Smith were suspended; and Asmundsson is injured.

That's all from me - you may now return to slagging off the coach.

The man speaks sense

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Yep, saw that - very pleased for him.

It also shows that Ireland is developing some good youngsters. I've like Rea when I've seen him play.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Stupid stupid thread. What is WRONG with OP? Its surely all about development of the youngsters which should be conducted away from the spotlight so far as is practical.

 

[HAILSHAM SEAGULL]

Just switched over to Newcaste U21's V Stoke U21's, in the same division as us, in fact Stoke are below us.
The first words the commentator and summeriser said were "The results are not the be-all and end-all. This level of football is all about developement, making the players of the future".
Perhaps the OP is watching and is now squirming.