[Archived] Rovers V Chelsea (Youth Cup Semi Final)

[ABBEY]

cheers

[Hasta]

Didn't get to see the first game. Interested to see how the kids play tonight.

[Baz]

According to Ray Wilkins, he has spoken to Lambert, and Lambert has earmarked some of these kids for the first team.

Nice to hear.

Good luck to the lads tonight, Chelsea looked like they had some real quality in the first leg though.

[Tom]

On itv 4 if people didn't know

[A cup of beans]

Decent spell. Barr's high - line tactic is dicing with danger every time.

May be harsh, and this Chelsea team are impressive and intelligent enough to probably pick apart any tactical plan.

[Tom]

2-0 cracking goal by Chelsea after w mistake

They look like they can score with every attack they are a class apart going forward

[A cup of beans]

As illustrated there. Great one touch play.

[Tom]

3-0 they could absolutely batter us here given away again

[Baz]

To be fair, the scoreline doesn't reflect the play so far.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Very difficult when chasing a game - especially against one with as much pace as Chelsea, In general play we have done ok - but the extra pace and class shows when Chelsea keep hitting us on the break

[G Somerset Rover]

Safe to say none of those defenders are anywhere near ready enough for the first team. Mistakes galore.

On a seperate note, if the V's ever pull their finger out we could do worse than look to loan one or two of these young Chelsea forwards.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The defence is getting slated but where's our midfield ? No protection what so ever.

[JAL]

Should be interesting to see what the young lads are made of second half, do they make a fist of it or cave in further.

[den]

Got to feel sorry for the young lads. There's one main difference between the two sides - money. It's not a level playing field even at this level.

[JAL]

Got to feel sorry for the young lads. There's one main difference between the two sides - money. It's not a level playing field even at this level.

It's eleven v eleven !

Sorry is a word for defeatists !

[Hasta]

The first goal was a peach of a through ball but the other two were caused by basic errors by the Rovers.

[JAL]

Get in !

Good to see the lads showing character keep it up boys!

[AdamRochina]

Who scored jal.. Haven't got control of the TV the misses wants to watch that dinner date crap

[G Somerset Rover]

Mansell got our goal. He had a bit of a thankless task up top on his own but battled well and got his goal.

Tammy Abraham looks like being some player for Chelsea. Mount too.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Yeah good near post header from a good cross. Nobody outstanding for us. The little winger who came on as sub at Ewood and played well hardly got a kick tonight. The two centre halves did ok but we insisted on running with the ball too much and consequently losing possession in dangerous areas.

That Mumtaz Ali impressed me for Chelsea, reminded me a bit of Mehmet Ozil on a good day.

[Baz]

Mansell got our goal. He had a bit of a thankless task up top on his own but battled well and got his goal.

Tammy Abraham looks like being some player for Chelsea. Mount too.

Actually thought their centre forward was poor in front of goal, he should have had 3 or 4 goals over the 2 games.

Gulf in class, but the lads stuck too it. Didn't particularly see anyone standing out for Rovers, the ones Id guess at having the best chance would be Tomlinson, who looks comfortable on the ball, and Hardcastle alongside him. Nyambe did ok in the first leg too.

Chelsea spend £9m a year on their academy, and city spend even more. No wonder they are both in the final.

[G Somerset Rover]

Actually thought their centre forward was poor in front of goal, he should have had 3 or 4 goals over the 2 games.

His finishing and composure definitely let him down tonight but his movement and speed is unreal.

Good game overall, but as you say it's hard to compete against the likes of City and Chelsea given their expenditure at this level.

[patrickvalery]

I'm pretty sure I heard Matterface say in the first leg that the Chelsea youth side were full time whereas ours and most others aren't. Not sure how true that is. But I would say that Chelsea looked far more conditioned than our lads. Some of the young lads just don't look or move like footballers. Even when some make their first team bows. But a lot of those Chelsea lads look bigger and more athletic even at this age.

Does anyone know what I mean? I've had this discussion with people before and they don't seem to get it. The example I always give is Steven Gerrard. The way he moved around the pitch was like he was born to be a footballer. When young kids break through they kind of look clumsy and like it's all an effort. Those Chelsea lads just looked more like natural players. I think that comes with exposure, minutes and supreme fitness.

[A cup of beans]

Chelsea full time from 14 or 15, was mentioned in 1st leg.

[koi]

According to Ray Wilkins, he has spoken to Lambert, and Lambert has earmarked some of these kids for the first team.

Nice to hear.

Good luck to the lads tonight, Chelsea looked like they had some real quality in the first leg though.

Whose first team though?