Summer U21's

Spurs 2 v 0 Arsenal

Moussa Dembele x 2 (Barkley, Coman)
MOTM - Dembele

Liverpool 1 v 1 Newcastle

A tight game on paper and a tight game on the field, a very closely contested battle, which neither team could say they deserved to win

Batshuayi 33 (Conti)
Kane 53 (Brandt)
MOTM - Upamecano

This sees Spurs top the group on goal difference and Newcastle edge 2nd place on goals scored, Liverppol just miss out after all 3 ended up on 8 points

Stoke 2-2 Chelsea
Lemar(Martins), Rashford(Lemar); Mbappe(Sterling), Mbappe(Davies)

Stoke 0 - 0 Villa

-------------------Carevic-------------------
Mensah----Oxford----Vickers----Tierney
-------------Fornals----Zielinski------------
Roberts----------Barkley-----------L.Sane
-------------------Moussa--------------------

Ronael, Konsa, Rabiot, Coman, A.Gomes, A.Silva, Cook

Carevic tall and strong and will control his area and dominate

Mensah at right back and Tierney at left back both are very forward driven players who like to attack, so as we must be on the front foot for a good percentage of the game they will do this and support Roberts and Sane. Oxford and Vickers have to hold the defence tight so partner again at centre back,Vickers will go ahead with the centre forward allowing Oxford to use his intelligence to roam the defence picking up other attackers. We must keep it tight at the back to thwart any danger they possess when coming forward, it is strong back four who will defend resolutely, however attacking they are all a threat, Tierney and Mensah in open play when they attack, and Oxford and Vickers from corners, whilst these two go into the opposition box to attack corners, Tierney and Mensah stay back.

Fornals in the DM role, he is very effective in the tackle and will look to get into the correct positions when he needs to be to stop there attacking midfielder, do not allow him time or space to support the CF or indeed shorten the time he has to pass the ball around him. He and Zielinski in the centre of the pitch, look to dominate the game, both Fornals and Zielinski can move up the field to assist Moussa and Barkley but they must be careful, we cannot be exposed against a very good side so Zielinski more than Fornals will get forward, Zielinski will look to get the ball forward to our more attacking men, In Roberts and Sane we have two very quick wingers, when we attack I want it to be done very quickly. Down the right I want Mensah and Roberst towork in tandom,, using each other to get the space required to get Roberts to the bye line, give and go. he is very quick and skillful so will be a handful for there Left back. When the right hand attacks Tierney stays back, Sane moves into the box to support Moussa and the same on the other side when the left hand side attacks, Roberts gets into the box, Mensah stays back, so when we are going forward we always have at least two ready to pounce on the cross balls, Zielinski or Barkley on the edge and depending what side two players down the wing looking to get these cross balls in. As said previously Roberts and Sane are hard working wingers so will look to help out our fullbacks in what will be a very difficult game, they must get back and support Mensah and Tierney.

Barkley comes into the role just in between midfield and striker, he can turn a game very quickly with a brilliant pass.Along with Moussa the two should really be a threat to there defence. Look to turn players when he has his back to goal and play in other quick players and Moussa himself. His passing and movement are essential to how we attack as he is a very important player and will see a lot of the ball. Have given him a free role and permission to shoot when he can. Look to get Roberts and Sane into the game and watch for them cutting inside and use them!

Defending this must be a stringent 4-1-4-1 system that will stop them coming through, Barkley will drop in beside Zielinski with Fornals in the hole between defence and midfield, they must work hard as they have some fantastic players who must not be allowed to play.

Moussa is the prefect No.9, strong, a bit of pace and most of all he can score goals, can hold of the CB marking him and drive into the area. Or indeed, he can hold the ball up looking for the support coming his way in from Roberts and Sane, Barkley also the fullbacks. Always on the last man ready to get into dangerous areas. He is fantastic in the air so must always look to beat the centre back to the ball, always has his head up looking to go for goal. We have a huge aeriel threat from set pieces with the two CBs there to cause problems.

Captain is Tierney
Penalties taken by Moussa
Set pieces by Barkley

Substitues

70 Minutes if we are losing A.Silva on for Barkley and we go 442 and Coman for Roberts, Ronael for Mensah

70 minutes if we are winning Rabiot for Barkley and A.Silva for Moussa

70 Minutes if we are drawing A.Silva for Moussa, Coman for Roberts, Rabiot for Zielinski

-------------------Moreira
--------Dier*----Gomez----Lemos
Karsdorp-Koziello-Stendera-Olivera
-------------------Tolisso
-----------Kane*-------Morata*
Subs
Crosta, Brandt, Badal, Tousart, Bazoer, Cornet, Wolf


Overview
We have set up with a 3-5-2 formation today, with the aim to getting extra attacking presences further up the pitch without losing strength in midfield or attack. We are going to play an attacking style of football, being aggressive in the way we defend by pressing really aggressively and high up the pitch.

Goalkeeper
Come for set pieces, punch rather than try the catch, when passing the ball look to play the percentage pass to the wing backs/outside centre backs and keep possession.

Centre Backs
Gomez will sit at the base of the 3 organising the back line and is tasked with stopping any attacks coming through the centre of the pitch, and have him go against the striker when balls are played into him.

The other 2 centre backs will play wider, having more freedom to move around and help the wing backs with wide threats or stopping runs from attacking midfielders and press higher up the pitch, they are also both good on the ball so when in possession if there is space to run into, they are given the freedom to move into it and advance the play.

Wing Backs
Both guys have the energy levels to get up and down the pitch all match long, they will be tasked with keeping the width across the pitch forcing the opposition to keep their full backs from constricting the centre of the pitch. They won't put many crosses in, preferring to play shorter passes to players who have come out from the middle of the pitch.

Defensively, they have the wider centre backs to help them if they are outnumbered, but we want them to stop the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack.

Centre Mids


Koziello and Stendera will be utilising their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the pitch, being key figures in the pressing game and always making themselves available for a pass when we are in the final third to shift their defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. When defending, both players are looking to press in the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.

Attacking Midfielder

Tolisso should be looking to make himself available for a pass as much as possible, having a free role to drift around between their defence and midfield, when we have the ball in the middle of the pitch, he should be looking to drift around the space between the DM and full backs and make them have to make decisions on who goes to him. He should also look to be moving out wider to get the ball and run at defenders or make a key pass when the wing backs have the ball out wide.
Defensively, he should be looking to occupy the playmaking centre mid, stop him dictating the play and being an out ball for the opposition.



Striker


When attacking, they will both stay forward all the time, forcing the opposition to keep extra men back and limit ther attacking options, or run the risk on being 2-on-2 for the whole game. They will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get themselves a bit of space enough for them to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, they will also be looking to use their reactions to get ahead of the defender and then using their strength and trickery to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul.
When defending, they will let the cbs and keeper have the ball as much as they want, instead focusing on cutting off the passing line for the full backs, forcing them to launch it forward where we are more likely to get it back.

Set Pieces


Corners - Stendera takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Strikers work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a clearer run at the ball, Tolisso flits around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Koziello looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him creating less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area.





Free Kicks - Kane takes Direct FK's



For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners





Penalties - Kane is the designated taker.






Subs



If Winning


70 mins - Bazoer for Tolisso - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.

If Drawing
70 Mins - Brandt for Olivera - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.

If Losing



70 Mins - Brandt and Cornet for Karsdorp and Olivera - the wing backs act as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.

STOKE vs Spurs

Line Up:

Scuffet
Passlack Diop Mere Jorge
Diawara Paredes
Gelson Boschilia Lemar
Rashford

Substitutes: Dragowski; Pereira; Elvedi; Lopez; Cyprien; Gabigol; Simeone

Captain: Diop
Penalties: Rashford
Corners: Lemar
Free Kicks: Lemar

Game Plan:

Our game plan revolves around giving Tottenham little time on the ball and pushing them in to mistakes where we can regain the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch. We have a group of lads who are committed and who will fight to win the ball back.

We will look to triple mark whomever has the ball in any area of the pitch – with one player closing down the ball, one player cutting off space and the last player marking the closest man. By triple-marking at all times, we not only increase the effectiveness with which we can apply pressure to the opposition but we also reduce the amount each individual player has to run, thus allowing them to keep the high tempo game running for longer than if we were single man pressing.

By pressing high and in numbers we can minimise the space in which Tottenham can play. If the right-sided centre back has the ball then our left winger will close down the right back while our midfielders will press closer as well, and vice versa with the other side of the pitch. The aim here is to limit the playing space our opponents have, which forces them to move the ball back to the keeper, move the ball long or move it in to the centre where our CMs, our wingers and our forwards can close down the space quickly and force them in to hasty decisions. If they manage to move the ball out wide, then our full backs will look to push up (depending on which side of the pitch the ball is on) to close down the space while our winger on that side challenges for the ball and the closest centre mid closes down the passing lanes.

The battle for the centre of the pitch will be pivotal today and it is where our fluid formation comes in to play. Our wingers will come deeper and slightly narrower while our full backs will attempt to press forwards as well and give as little space for the Spurs players to play in to.

Perhaps the most important aspect of playing a high pressing game is that, when we win back possession, we mustn’t give it away cheaply. Too many times do you see a side play the defensive aspect of the game perfectly, only to ruin it by playing sloppily, getting caught and conceding on the counter. That is why we have lined up with a technically gifted side as well as one with high stamina and determination. Each player in this team is capable of playing a possession based game and, when we have the ball, this is what we will do.

We want to stretch the Tottenham line as much as possible. We anticipate that they will get numbers behind the ball when they’re not in possession so we will have to make holes in their line. Each of our attacking players can play along the line and they will be given that freedom to swap positions, come deep and make runs in behind as they look to pull the Tottenham players out of position.

The two CMs will be pivotal for us as they look to spread the ball around the pitch, retain possession when there is no forward option, and get forward themselves. Both will be given the freedom to push forward whenever there is an opening.

The role our full backs play will be to provide wide support for our forwards on the overlap, stretching the play and forcing Tottenham’ defence to play wide as well. This will create more holes in their defence for our forwards to exploit. Our centre backs will push up the pitch – not quite to the halfway line but close – where they will be able to recycle possession and switch play if our attack hits a dead end. Our players will be reminded just before kick-off to probe for an opening and not to force something that isn’t there. Wearing down our opposition is more effective than being caught on the break. However, and not quite contradictory to our game plan, if we are to win the ball back due to our pressing game high up the pitch, then we will attack quickly and in numbers as we will catch them on the back foot. In these instances, the technical brilliance and quick interplay of our forwards will punish the Tottenham defence.

Substitutions:

70 minutes: Cyprien for Paredes
75 minutes: Gabriel Barbosa for Boschilia
80 minutes: Simeone for Rashford

Stoke v Spurs

A very tight game with some top players on either side, with the midfield battle so close neither really got on top of one another and it came down to wingers v fullbacks, all had some good play and Sane, Lemar in particular showing there class. Stoke went in front with Lemar providing for Rashford to slot home, then Sane likewise for Dembele. Subs were made in the second half and they seemed to suit the home side more as Cyprien won the ball fed Lemar out wide and he got his second assist when he drilled a low cross to Simeone

Stoke 2 - 1 Spurs
MOTM - Lemar

Aston Villa 0 -2 Newcastle

Morata(Tolisso)
Kane(Morata)
MOTM - Morata

-------------------L.Carevic---------------------
-------Vickers---Milenkovic---A.Diallo-------
Mensah----------------------------------Tierney
---------------L.Cook----Barkley---------------
Roberts-----------------------------------L.Sane
---------------------Moussa-----------------------

Ronael, Mbom, Caricol, Oxford, Lookman, Mounie, R.Nunez

We need a positive result today so we go back to having 3 at the back, Vickers and Diallo are the markers and Milenkovic central deals with all high balls through and sits in them middle of the two, those two in particular will be up on the players trying to force them back look to press them at the earliest opportunity. Having Milenkovic behind them as they do this gives them confidence to push on as even if they lose there man not all is lost as they have back up behind them, two from three go up for corners. As we defend it becomes 5 at the back or indeed a 6 man midfield wiith Roberts and Sane tracking, with our fullbacks covering the wide positions, both quick so can easily get back if the ball is lost up field. Force the wingers to the wing and try and cut out the crosses they will be looking to put into our danger area.

Carevic is a super confident goalkeeper and will shout orders from the back and dominate his area.

When we attack our fullbacks can push on as we have the three at the back and Cook covering, this allows our wingers to push inside and support Moussa Dembele, or if they don't push in, they create a double impact on there fullbacks as we drive forward, give and go using those inside as well as we try and out manoeuvre there players and get the ball into a good place to attack.

As I have said Cook sits in and he will look to stop them coming through the middle, he will press the attacking midfielder as he looks to stop him having an impact on the game, I want him to keep it simple,let those around him attack, he is important to us if we are looking to keep them out of it. On the other hadn Barkley as more of a free role, he has to be disciplined In a way but he still has freedom to move forward and support Moussa, when attacking we will have a midfield like a diamond with the three attackers ahead with Cook at the base and Barkley at the tip with the fullbacks either side. Barkley can venture forward look to pick out the front three either wide, central or over the top for them to chase. However when we don't have the ball he must stay put and help Cook, I know its not specifically in his game to defend but we ask him to help cover the midfield area that they will try and exploit.

----------------L.Cook----------------
Mensah-----------------------Tierney
----------------Barkley----------------
----Roberts----------------L.Sane----
----------------Lukaku-----------------

Sane and Roberts are quick and skillful and hopefully with more freedom to attack we can have a proper go at their defensive lines, Sane caused a lot of problems in the first game so will be asked to do the same this time, Roberts needs to follow suit and take players on with the support of Tierney and Mensah hopefully we can get in behind them or if they get to the corners , get the ball in for Moussa and Barkley to attack. Again when we defend we go to a 451 and these two trail back and help.

Moussa Dembele is a great outlet for our players to aim for, if he sniffs a chance he will go for goal, his all round movement takes him away from markers to free himself up and give himself plenty room and time to go for goal, good in the air too for balls coming over for him to attack. If he finds himself with his back to goal, then he will get his head up and look for the likes of Barkley and Sane coming in to help him and lay it off.

Captain is Ross Barkley
Penalties are Moussa Dembele
Free Kicks by the wingers and aim for Milenkovic who is 6'5

Substitutes

If we are losing, Tierney and Mensah come off and our wingers go into a 4 man midfield Mounie and Roberto Nunez go either side of Moussa in a more direct 343 on 75 minutes when we have to go for it

If we are winning Ronael will come on for Barkley, and Mensah will go into midfield and Ronael to RB wont be so attacking on 80 minutes and Mounie for Moussa at the same time,

Drawing
70 minutes Caricol for Tierney, Ronael for Mensah, Mounie for Moussa

-------------------L.Carevic---------------------
-------Vickers---Milenkovic---A.Diallo-------
Mensah----------------------------------Tierney
---------------Oxford----Barkley---------------
Roberts-----------------------------------L.Sane
---------------------Moussa-----------------------

Ronael, Politano, Caricol, Cook, Lookman, Mounie, Belotti

We need a positive result today so we go back to having 3 at the back, Vickers and Diallo are the markers and Milenkovic central deals with all high balls through and sits in them middle of the two, those two in particular will be up on the players trying to force them back look to press them at the earliest opportunity. Having Milenkovic behind them as they do this gives them confidence to push on as even if they lose there man not all is lost as they have back up behind them, two from three go up for corners. As we defend it becomes 5 at the back or indeed a 6 man midfield wiith Roberts and Sane tracking, with our fullbacks covering the wide positions, both quick so can easily get back if the ball is lost up field. Force the wingers to the wing and try and cut out the crosses they will be looking to put into our danger area.

Carevic is a super confident goalkeeper and will shout orders from the back and dominate his area.

When we attack our fullbacks can push on as we have the three at the back and Oxford covering, this allows our wingers to push inside and support Moussa Dembele, or if they don't push in, they create a double impact on there fullbacks as we drive forward, give and go using those inside as well as we try and out manoeuvre there players and get the ball into a good place to attack.

As I have said Oxford sits in and he will look to stop them coming through the middle, he will press the attacking midfielder as he looks to stop him having an impact on the game, I want him to keep it simple,let those around him attack, he is important to us if we are looking to keep them out of it. On the other hand Barkley as more of a free role, he has to be disciplined In a way but he still has freedom to move forward and support Moussa, when attacking we will have a midfield like a diamond with the three attackers ahead with Oxford at the base and Barkley at the tip with the fullbacks either side. Barkley can venture forward look to pick out the front three either wide, central or over the top for them to chase. However when we don't have the ball he must stay put and help Oxford, I know its not specifically in his game to defend but we ask him to help cover the midfield area that they will try and exploit.

-----------------Oxford----------------
Mensah-----------------------Tierney
----------------Barkley----------------
----Roberts----------------L.Sane----
----------------Moussa-----------------

Sane and Roberts are quick and skillful and hopefully with more freedom to attack we can have a proper go at their defensive lines, Sane caused a lot of problems in the first game so will be asked to do the same this time, Roberts needs to follow suit and take players on with the support of Tierney and Mensah hopefully we can get in behind them or if they get to the corners , get the ball in for Moussa and Barkley to attack. Again when we defend we go to a 451 and these two trail back and help.

Moussa Dembele is a great outlet for our players to aim for, if he sniffs a chance he will go for goal, his all round movement takes him away from markers to free himself up and give himself plenty room and time to go for goal, good in the air too for balls coming over for him to attack. If he finds himself with his back to goal, then he will get his head up and look for the likes of Barkley and Sane coming in to help him and lay it off.

Captain is Ross Barkley
Penalties are Moussa Dembele
Free Kicks by the wingers and aim for Milenkovic who is 6'5

Substitutes

If we are losing, we will take off Tierney and Mensah for Politano and Belotti, Sane and Roberts will go into a 4 man midfield, Politano to LF and Moussa to RF and Belotti right through the middle on 70 minutes

On 80 Mins Mounie and Cook for Moussa and Oxford

If we are drawing, Ronael and Caricol for Mensah and Tierney, Belotti for Moussa all on 70 minutes.

On 80 minutes Politano for Roberts

Winning sees us put Caricol and on for Tierney and Politano on for Roberts and Cook for Barkley on 75 minutes

-------------------Moreira
--------Dier*----Gomez----Lemos
Karsdorp-Koziello-Tousart-Olivera
-------------------Tolisso
-----------Kane*-------Morata*
Subs
Crosta, Brandt, Badal, Koziello, Bazoer, Cornet, Embolo


Overview
We have set up with a 3-5-2 formation today, with the aim to getting extra attacking presences further up the pitch without losing strength in midfield or attack. We are going to play an attacking style of football, being aggressive in the way we defend by pressing really aggressively and high up the pitch.

Goalkeeper
Come for set pieces, punch rather than try the catch, when passing the ball look to play the percentage pass to the wing backs/outside centre backs and keep possession.

Centre Backs
Gomez will sit at the base of the 3 organising the back line and is tasked with stopping any attacks coming through the centre of the pitch, and have him go against the striker when balls are played into him.

The other 2 centre backs will play wider, having more freedom to move around and help the wing backs with wide threats or stopping runs from attacking midfielders and press higher up the pitch, they are also both good on the ball so when in possession if there is space to run into, they are given the freedom to move into it and advance the play.

Wing Backs
Both guys have the energy levels to get up and down the pitch all match long, they will be tasked with keeping the width across the pitch forcing the opposition to keep their full backs from constricting the centre of the pitch. They won't put many crosses in, preferring to play shorter passes to players who have come out from the middle of the pitch.

Defensively, they have the wider centre backs to help them if they are outnumbered, but we want them to stop the wide men from cutting inside, forcing them to cross, which gives us a better chance of getting the ball back quickly and launching an attack.

Centre Mids


Koziello and Stendera will be utilising their high energy, all action styles to get themselves around the pitch, being key figures in the pressing game and always making themselves available for a pass when we are in the final third to shift their defensive players that little bit more which could be the difference in getting a player behind them. When defending, both players are looking to press in the middle third of the pitch, pressing the opposition CMs as they are on the ball to rush their decisions and win the ball back.

Attacking Midfielder

Tolisso should be looking to make himself available for a pass as much as possible, having a free role to drift around between their defence and midfield, when we have the ball in the middle of the pitch, he should be looking to drift around the space between the DM and full backs and make them have to make decisions on who goes to him. He should also look to be moving out wider to get the ball and run at defenders or make a key pass when the wing backs have the ball out wide.
Defensively, he should be looking to occupy the playmaking centre mid, stop him dictating the play and being an out ball for the opposition.



Striker


When attacking, they will both stay forward all the time, forcing the opposition to keep extra men back and limit ther attacking options, or run the risk on being 2-on-2 for the whole game. They will look to constantly drift around the defenders looking to get themselves a bit of space enough for them to get the ball and pass it along to another attacker or face up the defenders and take them on. When running onto a ball, they will also be looking to use their reactions to get ahead of the defender and then using their strength and trickery to cut in front of the defender, causing them to either stop their forward momentum completely, or make the foul.
When defending, they will let the cbs and keeper have the ball as much as they want, instead focusing on cutting off the passing line for the full backs, forcing them to launch it forward where we are more likely to get it back.

Set Pieces


Corners - Koziello takes the corners, most of the time looking to have the ball at an attackable height around 8-10 yards out inbetween the posts, the FB's stay back to prevent counters, the CB's and Strikers work in a group to make little blocks and cross-runs to lose a marker so 1 or 2 can get a clearer run at the ball, Tolisso flits around away from the main attacking group looking to pounce on mistimed touches and flicks around the area. Koziello looks to limit the opposition keeper from moving too far off his line, looking to take a defender with him creating less space for the keeper and one less man in the main action area.





Free Kicks - Kane takes Direct FK's



For Indirect FK's, same instructions as Corners





Penalties - Kane is the designated taker.






Subs



If Winning


70 mins - Bazoer for Tolisso - The wingers tuck back, but look to get out quickly and counter if the opposition over-commit for a route back into the game.

If Drawing
70 Mins - Brandt for Olivera - Bring a bit more urgency into attacks, show the opposition we are going for the win.

If Losing



70 Mins - Brandt and Embolo for Karsdorp and Olivera - the wing backs act as wingers and we go all out attacking for a way to get back into the game.

Tottenham 1-3 Newcastle United

Dembele(Roberts) 56;
Kane(Tolisso) 33, Koziello(Kane) 64, Kane(Morata) 80

MOTM: Harry Kane

What was a difficult game to call with both managers opting for back 3's, Newcastle got the win here largely down to their greater experience and quality of player. Their formation was well suited to facing Tottenham today, with Koziello, Tousart and Tolisso giving them a midfield 3 that was able to over run Oxford and Barkley, giving Newcastle a greater foothold in the game. The introduction of two strikers also gave Newcastle the opportunity to attack a relatively inexperienced back line with two seasoned strikers. Tottenham had greater numbers in the wide area and Roberts in particular got some joy out of Oliveira, but Dier and Lemos as wide CBs gave them protection that allowed them to snuff out counter attacks more often than not. Newcastle's firepower accounts for the score line but had Fud been as big a cheat as Ludy and Tranq and opted to play Lukaku and the likes they'd have probably got a draw.