I saw about an hour of the game. Gordon had a few moments and Raymond once again looked tidy when he came on, but we were a bit sloppy and headless. Balmer has an insane throw on him which can reach past the penalty spot, but sadly his defending does not seem quite at the same level yet. After recent highs hopefully this will give some perspective to the lads and push them to try harder. It also highlights how far from the PL standard most of them are though.

While Barton's comments after the game [Link] seem more suited to those of a Sunday League manager rather than a professional one, we weren't great and I can understand his frustration. Do they get some kind of pay-off from the PL to play the top youth teams?

Edited by taylors lovechild (05 Oct 2022 6.57am)

I personally think he is just peed off his 38 year old experienced player got sent off.
Think we would have been better served playing Ebiowei who is not playing first team games and maybe if we can field a couple of outfield players over age like Riedewald to make us more competitive.

He's probably right in most of what he's saying. Shame he had to slate a load of kids trying to make it in the process but he is pure scum so not surprising.

In my opinion, the most interesting point that Barton made was U21 players being so far away from the level required to play League football.

It's something that has been discussed on here before.

I still think that the best way to ready young players is to have Reserve teams where you would get a mixture of age groups. That set up also provided a better opportunity for fringe players and those returning from injury to play competitive games. The main benefit though, was to give promising young players exposure to playing proper ' mens ' football. I don't think the U21 structure does that properly.

Old, Ungifted and White

What an absolute pr!ck. If he doesn't like the competition then why doesn't he play his youth team in it ? I haven't forgotten that he stubbed a cigar into the eye of a Man City youth player. He shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the game.

The progress of the academy Team is extraordinary.

But it still has some way to go. The Academy was only opened a short while ago. Give it time.

BTW is Joey Barton really an oracle whose opinion is any more valid than the next twot?