Slovenia U21 vs England U21

Haven’t seen the first half but read he’s playing left wing back. Is Aidy Boothroyd clinically insane?

Link to game on Czech v England thread.

Been subbed at half time

Rick_Muller wrote:Been subbed at half time

Just a warm up for his appearance later on tonight..

MrMeeseeks wrote:Haven’t seen the first half but read he’s playing left wing back. Is Aidy Boothroyd clinically insane?

Not left wing-back. Just stuck out on the left wing. Most of our play down the right!

boatshed bill wrote:Not left wing-back. Just stuck out on the left wing. Most of our play down the right!

The few minutes I watched I did get a bit of an impression that the other u21s didn't know he was there....

When Jay made his international appearance Sicknote Jack played several hospital passes and generally steered the play onto the opposite wing
This is probably what happened with the established clique anxious to close ranks.Sad but true

Seemed to be pretty much ignored by the big club players who played predominantly down the right side. There did appear to be a lot of selfish play going on by some individuals too.

How did Boothroyd get that job? He’s a failed lower league dinosaur.

First you fail....then you are available.

Stproc wrote:Seemed to be pretty much ignored by the big club players who played predominantly down the right side. There did appear to be a lot of selfish play going on by some individuals too.

Young clique!

. laughs at the jokers moaning about a clique.

Thread of the week

NottsClaret wrote:How did Boothroyd get that job? He’s a failed lower league dinosaur.

Couldn't agree more, typical FA appointment, probably managed to tick all the boxes on the application form without anyone looking at his record.

Some whining on here tonight.

It COULD have been a squadwise conspiracy to deliberately starve him of the ball to protect their clique.

Or he might just have been shlte?

Given his experience which is growing weekly playing regularly as he does in the Premiership does McNeil actually get much benefit from playing U21 footy. Wouldn't he be better being in the U23 team/squad.

Corky wrote:Given his experience which is growing weekly playing regularly as he does in the Premiership does McNeil actually get much benefit from playing U21 footy. Wouldn't he be better being in the U23 team/squad.

He’s playing in the under 21 side for England.

Braindead wrote:Some whining on here tonight.

It COULD have been a squadwise conspiracy to deliberately starve him of the ball to protect their clique.

Or he might just have been shlte?

I'd say neither.
I'd guess that he stuck to his wing as per game plan. Just that much of the build up play came via the right back and Foden, who played advanced right midfield.

At least he didn’t get injured

Rileybobs wrote:He’s playing in the under 21 side for England.

Correct; now what exactly have you got to offer to the debate or are you just being obtuse.

Corky wrote:Correct; now what exactly have you got to offer to the debate or are you just being obtuse.

Just wondering how you think he would be better playing for Burnley’s under 23 side when he’s a regular starter for the first team, instead of representing his country at under 21 level? Not sure what’s obtuse about that?

Rileybobs wrote:Just wondering how you think he would be better playing for Burnley’s under 23 side when he’s a regular starter for the first team, instead of representing his country at under 21 level? Not sure what’s obtuse about that?

Well done sir that is a textbook example of being obtuse.

Corky wrote:Well done sir that is a textbook example of being obtuse.

You really think our U23 team level would benefit him more than playing for England U21?

Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Darnhill Claret wrote:Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Our U23 team must be of a higher calibre than I thought then.

Tbh I don’t think Dwight will ever play for the England U23’s

wilks_bfc wrote:Tbh I don’t think Dwight will ever play for the England U23’s

We were talking about Burnley's U23 team.

Although perhaps you already knew that?

He didn't show very well, but for Burnley he very often picks the ball up and runs from much deeper. Being used exclusively as a left winger didn't do him any favours.

When the likes of Heaton go off to train with the England squad and make the odd appearance it's generally accepted that it's a good thing to do, in regards experience, training/Playing with other/better players.

What I'm seeing here is someone asking if Dwight is better off staying with Burnley's U23 team, many of whom won't make Burnley's first team, over playing with England's U21 team and many of them are playing regular first team football in the PL or championship.

Am I being obtuse, or is it just a daft opinion?

fidelcastro wrote:We were talking about Burnley's U23 team.

Although perhaps you already knew that?

I didn’t actually.

But know I do I’m not sure Dwight would learn anything more about himself playing 90mins against Wigan u23 than he would in the experience of 45mins against Slovenia away

wilks_bfc wrote:I didn’t actually.

But know I do I’m not sure Dwight would learn anything more about himself playing 90mins against Wigan u23 than he would in the experience of 45mins against Slovenia away

And here was me thinking that players thought it an honour to represent their country (albeit at an age restricted level).

Burnley reserves it is then!

fidelcastro wrote:And here was me thinking that players thought it an honour to represent their country (albeit at an age restricted level).

Burnley reserves it is then!

I’m with you on that - if I wasn’t clear I’m blaming the cold/flu capsules I’ve been popping today

Corky wrote:Well done sir that is a textbook example of being obtuse.

Am I missing something here? I queried your first post because I thought that you were maybe mistaken and thought that England had an under 23 side. Turns out you weren’t mistaken but in fact think that it is beneficial for a Premier League first team regular to play for his club’s under 23 side than at international under 21 level.

Then you call me obtuse and follow it up with another unnecessarily curt response.

It’s hardly worth debating because you are obviously so clearly wrong - but apart from the huge difference in standard between a club U23 and international U21 level - do you think that McNeill turning down an opportunity to represent his country at U21 level may impact his chances of ever being deemed fit to gain a full international cap?

I can’t believe how daft your point is.

wilks_bfc wrote:I didn’t actually.

But know I do I’m not sure Dwight would learn anything more about himself playing 90mins against Wigan u23 than he would in the experience of 45mins against Slovenia away

And the training with the full England squad for 2 days as well

Rileybobs wrote:Am I missing something here? I queried your first post because I thought that you were maybe mistaken and thought that England had an under 23 side. Turns out you weren’t mistaken but in fact think that it is beneficial for a Premier League first team regular to play for his club’s under 23 side than at international under 21 level.

Then you call me obtuse and follow it up with another unnecessarily curt response.

It’s hardly worth debating because you are obviously so clearly wrong - but apart from the huge difference in standard between a club U23 and international U21 level - do you think that McNeill turning down an opportunity to represent his country at U21 level may impact his chances of ever being deemed fit to gain a full international cap?

I can’t believe how daft your point is.

So I wasn’t the only one that thought that then

wilks_bfc wrote:So I wasn’t the only one that thought that then

No, you weren't.

Stop being obtuse guys.

Rileybobs wrote:Stop being obtuse guys.

I apologies unreservedly. Football isn't my main passion and I genuinely thought England had an U23 set up. I'll get back to my music. Sorry and all that. You were still obtuse though

I think U23s section was invented by the premier league to stop young lads thinking they're failures when they haven't made a first team appearance by 23.

Do any other sports have one? Or just compete against adults when you become one?

Since last New Year's Eve McNeil has been 'murdering' full backs in the Premier League. Whilst he was doing this Mason Mount was plying his trade in the Championship. The discrimination shown by successive England managers towards 'unfashionable' Burnley continues; Angus,Pointer, O'Neil and others never got a 'fair crack of the whip' and I am certain that should Dwight sign for 'Frank Lampard's ' Chelsea he would be in the full England squad immediately. Just hope he stays free from injury in this boring international break.

Helmshore Claret wrote:Since last New Year's Eve McNeil has been 'murdering' full backs in the Premier League. Whilst he was doing this Mason Mount was plying his trade in the Championship. The discrimination shown by successive England managers towards 'unfashionable' Burnley continues; Angus,Pointer, O'Neil and others never got a 'fair crack of the whip' and I am certain that should Dwight sign for 'Frank Lampard's ' Chelsea he would be in the full England squad immediately. Just hope he stays free from injury in this boring international break.

Mason Mount has scored 4 PL goals this season, that’s 4 more than McNeill. Maybe Mount is just better than McNeill and that’s why he’s being selected for England. Either that or Southgate is intentionally sabotaging his own livelihood by not picking the best players available to him because he hates unfashionable Burnley (despite strangely giving 3 Burnley players their international debut since becoming England manager).

Rileybobs wrote:Mason Mount has scored 4 PL goals this season, that’s 4 more than McNeill. Maybe Mount is just better than McNeill and that’s why he’s being selected for England. Either that or Southgate is intentionally sabotaging his own livelihood by not picking the best players available to him because he hates unfashionable Burnley (despite strangely giving 3 Burnley players their international debut since becoming England manager).

Chances are Mount is a better footballer, but Southgate certainly has his agendas. Just look at his sheer refusal of late to select James Maddison, who’s better than both of them, for example.

SGr wrote:Chances are Mount is a better footballer, but Southgate certainly has his agendas. Just look at his sheer refusal of late to select James Maddison, who’s better than both of them, for example.

Maybe there's something that Southgate doesn't like about Maddison - why would he prefer to select inferior players who play for bigger teams? There's no reason why he'd do that. He's proven fairly consistently that if a player impresses for his club in the PL he will select them.

Obviously there will be the odd head-scratcher and there will be players out of form who are still selected - after all, he's not going to drop our key players if they're having a poor couple of months at club level. But largely, Southgate has demonstrated that he will select players who are playing well for their clubs regardless of age and status of club. He's done that more than any England manager that I can remember so it seems a very odd thing to call him out for.

Rileybobs wrote:Maybe there's something that Southgate doesn't like about Maddison - why would he prefer to select inferior players who play for bigger teams? There's no reason why he'd do that. He's proven fairly consistently that if a player impresses for his club in the PL he will select them.

Obviously there will be the odd head-scratcher and there will be players out of form who are still selected - after all, he's not going to drop our key players if they're having a poor couple of months at club level. But largely, Southgate has demonstrated that he will select players who are playing well for their clubs regardless of age and status of club. He's done that more than any England manager that I can remember so it seems a very odd thing to call him out for.

He’s not above criticism when it comes to selections. Yes, largely he has shown that he can select players based on form, but Maddison created more chances than any other player in the league last season. This is the best England squad in a long time, but look at who we’re up against in the sheet quality of France, or the proven winners that are Portugal for example - we can’t afford to have “the odd head scratcher”. This nation needs a major tournament. You pick your best available side, and that’s it.

I’m not against a hard working system player - France were starting Matuidi at left mid during their WC win. But playing Ross Barkley over James Maddison for example isn’t justifiable, not at all.

SGr wrote:Chances are Mount is a better footballer, but Southgate certainly has his agendas. Just look at his sheer refusal of late to select James Maddison, who’s better than both of them, for example.

Maddison pulled out of the squad this time, but I agree he should be given a chance.

SGr wrote:Chances are Mount is a better footballer, but Southgate certainly has his agendas. Just look at his sheer refusal of late to select James Maddison, who’s better than both of them, for example.

Southgate called up Madison but he pulled out with injury.

SGr wrote:Chances are Mount is a better footballer, but Southgate certainly has his agendas. Just look at his sheer refusal of late to select James Maddison, who’s better than both of them, for example.

Wasn't Maddison selected, but was withdrawn due to injury?

FactualFrank wrote:Wasn't Maddison selected, but was withdrawn due to injury?

Yep that’s right - withdrew due to illness actually and was then pictured in a casino....mmmm ?!!

Maddison is a good player for sure - but he seems a bit of a cocky arrogant git to me....no doubt he’ll play and score against us on Saturday though !!
Leicester look very strong this year and think they have a great shout for top 4 with the likes of United, Spurs, Arsenal not looking great

TVC15 wrote:Yep that’s right - withdrew due to illness actually and was then pictured in a casino....mmmm ?!!

Maddison is a good player for sure - but he seems a bit of a cocky arrogant git to me....no doubt he’ll play and score against us on Saturday though !!
Leicester look very strong this year and think they have a great shout for top 4 with the likes of United, Spurs, Arsenal not looking great

Leicester and Brendan Rodgers are a perfect match. They have the players and he's a top manager. I think top 4 is nailed on.