Special Report from the Academy by Dave Usher

For photo's from this game click here

It's been a season of mixed fortunes for the reds' Academy. Steve Heighway and his staff rightly received a lot of plaudits for how well so many of their graduates have performed at first team level, but the flak has been flying of late due to the shocking form of the u18 side.

John Owens' side are rooted to the bottom of the table, and went out of the youth cup at the second hurdle, albeit in very unfortunate circumstances.

"What's gone wrong at the Academy" is the question posed on various internet forums after every defeat suffered by the u18s.

The change to the league format certainly hasn't helped the reds. In the past, there were two teams on which the Academy's progress would be judged.

Now, because the u16 league is classed as 'non competitive' and the results aren't published, the Academy is being judged almost solely on the progress of the u18 side.

Because the 18s are struggling, it's assumed that the Academy as a whole isn't functioning. It's not as simple as that though. I'm not suggesting that everything in Kirkby is perfect, but it's certainly not all doom and gloom just because the u18 side is struggling.

If the u16 results were being reported, I'm sure people would have a different perspective as to how the Academy is performing. This season Dave Shannon's side have lost just two games, and have been sweeping all before them.

They are the best in the country in their age group, and yhey're known at the Academy as the 'Dream Team.' They have always been Steve Heighway's favourite group and the one of which the most is expected of.

I'd heard quite a bit about them this season, but had never been able to get to see them as they usually play at the same time as the u18s. I felt I had to give the u18 side priority because that was the 'official' game and the one which people would most want to read about.

Today though, myself and Liverweb's Andy Phillip decided we'd watch the 16s to see if they're as good as everyone says.....

 

A few of the starting line up were familiar to me as they'd played for the under 17 side last season or the u18s this year.

Dave Roberts was the goalkeeper in the two youth cup games this year, although he's since shaved his head and I didn't recognise him.

Centre backs Jay Spearing and Robbie Threlfall also featured in the youth cup, and Threlfall has played on numerous occasions for John Owens' u18 side this season.

Midfielders Jimmy Ryan and Charlie Barnett were regulars for the u17 side last season, and both made substitute appearances in thsi years youth cup.

So I knew those players, but the rest of the side were completely unknown to me.

Left back Stephen Behan has made a couple of substitute appearances for the u18 side, and striker Jonathon Pringle is another who's name you may have seen from u18 duty.

At right back was Stephen Darby (could be spelt Derby, I don't know as there are no team sheets printed for these games), and I think the wide midfielders names were Cox and Woodward.

Up front with Pringle, was the tall rangy Craig Linfield.

Cox was forced off after just 15 minutes with what looked a shoulder injury, replaced by a lad who's name I believe was Mattone (again, I have no idea on the spelling).

The game was played in blustery, rainy conditions at the Academy. It was freezing cold, so much so that I couldn't even feel my fingers to take notes on the game (I copied Andy's notes afterwards!).

The conditions certainly had an adverse affect on the reds, who despite being much the better side throughout, never really hit top form.

Shannon was without several key players. England schoolboy internationals Ray Putterill and Michael Burns were both injured, and two other regulars (Mitchell Bailey and a centre back who's name I've forgotten) were recently released from the club.

Skipper Spearing has been playing at right back for most of the season, but switched to the centre for this game. He and Threlfall were excellent, and it's difficult to believe the reds didn't win this game.

Barnett almost opened the scoring with a terrific individual effort on 21 minutes, when he collected the ball in midfield, jinked and shimmied his way past three defenders before hitting a left foot shot against the foot of the post.

Ryan and Barnett controlled the game from the middle of the park, with Ryan looking a class above everyone else. His range of passing, composure in possession and strength on the ball really set him apart.

He's quite a stocky lad, with a low centre of gravity which makes him very difficult to shake off the ball. Stoke couldn't get near for most of the match.

The only slight criticism I have of Jimmy is that he occasionally overdid it looking for the spectacular long pass. He is capable of playing those passes, it's just about learning when to do it. That's something he'll no doubt learn as he gets older though (Steven Gerrard still does that now and it hasn't held him back!).

The Academy seems to be able to churn out class central midfielders at will. Since I started watching games there three or four years ago, Welsh, Potter and Mannix have all progressed to Melwood.

Next season they'll be joined by Danny Guthrie, and Ryan and Barnett look like they won't be too far behind.

The strikers impressed me too though. They linked up well with eachother, and both held the ball up well and brought others into play.

Pringle gave the reds the lead ten minutes after the break with a fine diving header following a right wing cross from someone (believe it or not I didn't see who put the cross in as I was being told off by some big fat Stoke fan who informed me I wasn't allowed to take photographs unless I had permission from all the parents from both sides!).

Linfield then struck the post with an excellent lob after being played in by Ryan, and the reds number nine's strong running led to Pringle's second 17 minutes into the half.

Latching onto a bad backpass, Linfield got there before the keeper and knocked it past him, only to be brought down. It was a cast iron penalty, but the loose ball was quickly put into the empty net by Pringle and the advantage was given.

Linfield was taking up some good positions in the Stoke box, and should have added to the reds lead when he found himself in space ten yards out, but instead of blasting it he tried to slide it into the corner and the keeper got across to smother the shot.

After that though, the reds seemed to take their foot off the gas. They were still in complete control, and dominated possession. But they didn't seem to have any urgency about their play and Stoke pulled a goal back against the run of play, when the lone striker headed in a cross from the left.

Stoke were only a threat on the counter attack, and didn't put together too many passing moves. Yet despite being outclassed for much of the game, they drew level with four minutes to go when the centre forward got in behind the Liverpool defence and beat the advancing Roberts to the ball to lob the ball in from forty yards.

There was still time for Liverpool to creat another glorious opening for Linfield, but again the striker opted to try and place the ball rather than blast it, and succeeded only in hitting the keeper with it.

Overall, it was an average performance, but for twenty minutes after half time some of the football played was excellent. It was a one sided game,but the reds paid the price for easing off when it looked like the game was won.

Even though they weren't anywhere near their best (according to a couple of the dads I spoke to afterwards) it was still easy to see why this team are so highly regarded.

They play the ball on the floor, and everyone looked comfortable on the ball. Ryan is at the hub of everything, but even the two centre backs look to get the ball down and play.

Ten of this group have already been given scholarships for next season, and next year the u18 side should be a lot stronger than they have been this season.

As for the u18s, they drew as well, coming from behind to earn a point thanks to Danny Guthrie's strike.

For photo's from this game click here

Team: Roberts; Darby, Spearing, Threlfall, Behan; Cox (Mattone), Ryan, Barnett, Woodward; Linfield, Pringle:

Apologies if any of the above names are incorrect, but there are no teamsheets for these games and the lack of coverage given to the u16s anywhere else means that it's difficult to find out any information about the lads.

I managed to get most of the names (many thanks to Jay Spearing's dad), but if I've got any wrong then feel free to mail me and let me know.

Email me at dave@liverpoolway.co.uk

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