Another good chance tomorrow night for our U21s to see how they compare against Men.
Ian Evatt's side currently sit top of the Northern Group B. It follows a victory over Crewe Alex and a penalty shootout defeat following a draw last month versus Tranmere Rovers who we easily beat in our only game so far.
The tules are simple:
1. Minimum of six players in the starting line-up who are aged under 21 on 30 June 2021.
2. Maximum of two players on the team sheet who are aged over 21 and have also made forty or more senior appearances.
So I would expect KK, Joffy, Greenwood, Jimmy, Gnonto to all start with Gyabi, Perkins and Joseph getting minutes.
It might be good to give Llorente and Ayling minutes too.
5 subs are allowed which gives us a chance to rotate.
Goes to show the difference in mens football and U21 level. Surprised Gnonto wasnt played though, unless he is injured
What absolute negligence by our club. We have players who need match time against full grown men but instead of playing them in this match we are resting them just because we may give then a few minute tomorrow. This is not how you develop talent. Gelthardt, Greenwood, Summerville, Gnonto, all better see 30 plus minutes in tomorrow otherwise the club should close the Academy. Wasted opportunity as Bolton has played some excellent football this year and were perfect side for the boys play and develop against.
Quality MDT BB and thanks for the updates Soopa 👍
Look forward to the player ratings when you get a chance 😜👍⚽
Full Time
Result is fair - we had some chances, but so did Bolton. We struggled to beat their system and keep possession for long patches but did show signs of quality too.
Defenders worked hard and were undone in the end by fatigue.
The boys will get a lot of learning from that one - Bolton have this group in the bag so if we win v Crewe we can go through
Bolton 3-0 Leeds U21 (Sadlier 88 mins)
Offside trap beaten with yet another accurate pass, easy 1-on-1
86 mins - cramp in a couple of our defenders. Knackered now
Coleman and Miller on for Spencer and Perkins (83 mins)
Bolton 2-0 Leeds U21 (Bakayoko 78 mins)
It was coming. Defenders beaten repeatedly by accurate passes through them
last 10 mins are becoming one way traffic. Robles stopping plenty
76 mins
Snowdon on for McCalmont
Into the last 15 mins.
Bolton controlling it more - some last ditch tackling from out lot but unable to pass the ball upfield and keep possession
60 mins.
Bolton's last change
McGurk replaced by Dean
3 more changes for Bolton
56 mins - Perkins booked, late challenge
52 mins - Bodvarsson off for Bakayoko.
No changes at the start of the second half - McGurk carries on where he left off - great build up and scuffed chance.
Half Time
Bolton 1-0 Leeds U21
This has been a good watch - both sides playing good football, no cloggers.
Bolton are a good side in League 1 and have played a strong side, taking us seriously. Our lads have had to think and learn as Bolton have been very capable.
We've had as many chances - both sides have muffed sitters.
The challenge for the second half will be finding a way to get some space and avoiding fatigue in the last 15 mins.
still 1-0 down (24 mins) but McGurk has had 2 great chances - one soft at the keeper and one wide.
Been second best for the last 10 mins mind you.
EDIT: make that 3 misses for McGurk, blasts over from outside the box.
Bolton 1-0 Leeds U21 (Bodvarsson 14 mins)
been an even technical contest, but they have direct power and accurate passes - Bodvarsson alone in the box for a cross, off the post and in
0-0 so far (9 mins)
Solid start for a young Leeds side vs a strong Bolton 1st team
playing Bodvarsson and Kachunga up front...
C'MON LEEDS!