04 Oct 2022 21:15:31
Our U21s defeat League Two side Tranmere Rover 5-3 in the Papa Johns, with goals from Perkins, Gelhardt (2) , Joseph and Drameh. Greenwood continues the run of red cards getting sent off for 2 yellows.

1.) 04 Oct 2022
04 Oct 2022 22:32:19
Alf - according to the commentator Greenwood was shown a straight red, which could actually be the case, as although he’d already been booked, a second yellow wasn’t shown before the ref produced the red - suggesting the ref thought that challenge was at the very least reckless conduct and therefore worthy of a straight red.

2.) 05 Oct 2022
04 Oct 2022 23:26:16
Thanks Clu that could be the case.

3.) 05 Oct 2022
05 Oct 2022 07:11:36
Do you know how the forwards lined up? Seems an overly attacking line-up.

4.) 05 Oct 2022
05 Oct 2022 07:23:10
I watched on iFollow, and it was a very attacking setup. Perkins, Joseph and Joffy were essentially a front 3. It was then a midfield 3 of Greenwood (right) and Gnoto (left) with Gyabi as the holding player. Drameh limped off late on with an injury. Gyabi and Gnoto were standout performers for me too.

Oh and the red (although harsh) was indeed a straight red. Think it was in reaction to a challenge a little beforehand from one of their CB's on Perkins where there was a little bit of afters. We still looked the more dangerous, even with ten men.

5.) 05 Oct 2022
05 Oct 2022 08:48:46
Having also watched the game, I think the team was nominally set up the same way as the first team, 4231, but with Joffy playing as a second striker behind Joseph, and Perkins and Gnonto as the inverted wingers. However, while Perkins tended to play narrow, Gnonto was often close to the left touchline. This may have been merely reflective of the fact that while Drameh is a natural right wingback, Sutcliffe on the left is (like Struijk) playing out of position, being a natural CB, so Gnonto needed to provide the width on that side, also suggesting Skubala may be being a little more pragmatic within the general tactical structure. Greenwood did also tend to drift more to the right when building attacks, with Gnonto dropping back off the ball and often carried the ball forward in transition, which may have given the impression of playing 3 across the middle.

It was notable that Skubala switched to a back 5, with Gyabi dropping back to CB, when Greenwood was sent off - as the first team did v Villa. I guess the Academy sides may also have undertaken the recent 10 v 11 training which Marsch talked about in his postmatch interview. It would seem that, so far, the tactics and training have worked, but it would seem likely that, with the one-eyed officiating almost certainly set to continue, Marsch’s methods will be further ‘stress-tested’ over the coming months.

6.) 05 Oct 2022
05 Oct 2022 11:27:34
You may have seen that Hjelde would have played yesterday too, but was ruled out due to a stomach bug.

From the post-match comments by Skubala and Gyabi, it would seem staff and players are both hoping to stay in the PJT for as long as they can this season - seeing it as a useful step-up from standard u21 matches in terms of physical challenge against more senior pros etc and experience of playing in tighter league stadiums with a slightly closer and potentially more hostile crowd.

Crewe are a similar standard to Tranmere in League 2, but League 1 Bolton, still managed by Bielsist Ian Evatt may provide a slightly stronger challenge. If they can finish first or second in the group, they’ll get through to the knock out rounds.

7.) 05 Oct 2022
05 Oct 2022 22:38:21
Good write up Clu. I read that the u21 teams set up does indeed emulate the 1st team as if did in Bielsa's time. If the u21s have as much tak2nt as we all hope they should win PL2 easily and should also be able to win the PJT save for bad luck, injuries or player unavailability due to being used in the 1sts. Would be good to have youngsters coming through who know how it feels to win things.

8.) 06 Oct 2022
06 Oct 2022 03:44:20
Alf Got to love it when a player has an abundance of tak2nt.

9.) 06 Oct 2022
06 Oct 2022 17:26:51
Love a bit of on pitch retribution!