McEachran can't be picked because he's an U21 regular now apparently. Seems like he'll be in the Olympic squad. I would rather have him in this squad and he hasn't really been replaced. Interesting that he's called Dier up. Lack of central midfield options and a lack of width are the concerns for me.
Kane scored another one late on to get a 2-2 draw with Blackpool. "....a corner was only half cleared to Kane on the edge of the area and he rifled a shot into the bottom-left corner".
In an interview, Sagna was asked '' Which youth team player excites you the most?'' and he answered '' Benik-Afobe. He reminds me of Drogba. He is very strong.'' Let's hope he is right. A month or so ago, Wenger said that he has a lot of potential and is the next central striker to come into our squad. I think Wenger will give him many opportunities to prove himself at Arsenal even if it is not working at first. Sometimes he is just very stubborn with some players, even if they are not doing well he keeps having faith in them like Ramsey,Diaby,Denilson,RVP,Song and I think Afobe will be another one.
Not sure Garbutt can play in this section of qualifying because he's involved in the play offs with Cheltenham.
Forgot about Garbutt and also Redmond has had play-off games along with Lascelles. Bidwell missed out. Blake could have chosen Sterling or Obita as the squad does lack wide options. Because eventhough he could play 4-3-3 I think Afobe, Keane, Kane and Bamford play better as central strikers. Even Berahino. Would say in the '93 born strikers...Hall probably the better suited to wide-forward role in a 4-3-3.
The game against Switzerland on May 30th will be shown live on the FA's site. They can't show them all because of cost so chose that game. A few players carrying knocks so should be a couple of replacements. One seems to be pretty much already ruled out.
Doesn't surprise me, there are always players who drop out after the squad has been announced. Atleast at U19 level we have depth though.
True, Blake has proven erratic and odd in his selections in the past at both U18 and U19 levels. But it could give him the opportunity to rebalance the squad, i.e. bringing in some width if a midfielder or forward has got injured. It really is frustrating because he has a lot of quality players to select from.
Larnell Cole not playing for Man Utd tonight. Don't think he'll make this squad either. Redmond likely to replace him. Good replacement but I think it then means we have too many forwards and a lack of centre midfield options. Because Larnell offered the central option with his versatility.
I think Yennaris' injury has been quite a big blow to this squad aswell tbh. It's nice Redmond is in because he is a dangerous winger, but the squad is still imbalanced.
Kane is in with the midfield players which is interesting - if not just a mistake. It could be his future.
He's in the forward section on the other part of the site. Blake might use him slightly deeper or wider though but not that deep.
Try and make sense of these changes: Larnell Cole OUT ; Luke Garbutt OUT Tom Thorpe IN ; Jack Dunn IN
Squad currently sits like this: So 4-3-3 is 90% certain GK: Johnstone, Ripley RB: Kane CB: Wisdom, Chalobah, Dier, M. Keane LB: Robinson CM: Barkley, Thorne, Lundstram, Thorpe, Dunn FWD/STR: Afobe, W. Keane, Kane, Berahino, Bamford MISSING but still available for this group: (Butland, Oxlade in England set-up) RB: Flanagan (u21), Pilatos CB: Lascelles (play-off), Laing LB: Bidwell, Garbutt (play-off), Taylor CM: McEachran (u21), Yennaris (ill), Coady, Ralls, Aneke, Moncur, Da Silva, N.Powell (play-off) AMF/W: L.Cole (injured), L.Williams, Reach (injured), Obita, Morrison, Redmond (play-off), Sterling FWD/STR: Wickham (u21), Hall
Thorpe has had trouble getting games for United reserves and when he has, has been played in midfield. Dunn has turned out at left-back for the Pool - so maybe general cover.
It's about time we won this thing! The usual withdrawels in July of course won't help. First things first we have to qualify.
Has Lussey also covered Left-back at times this season? Still aren't left with many natural wide options.