Football Philosophy...

"...The ball runs faster than any human, so it's the ball that has to do the running!..." - Pep Guardiola 

Painswick Youth (4) v (1) LRFC Cougars

Painswick Youth (4) v (1) LRFC Cougars
Cheltenham youth league match 25/04
King George V playing field, Bisley

The 24hrs leading up to this game is a story of our season really.
Tuesday evening 6:30 - 24hrs before kick off - we have 14 players
available and from that what would have been, possibly, our strongest
starting 11. An opportunity to have a real go and get a result.

24hrs later and a mixture of illness and injury had left us with 10
fit players ready to start the match. We warmed up and emphasised to
the lads that this was a game where the result was, probably, not in
doubt but they should just relax, play and see how they go. With no
options on the bench this was a relatively easy game to be the manager
as there were no options!

We started in a 4-4-1 formation against the 11 men on Painswick. The
back 4 was, right to left, Sam, Freddie, George, Willbo. In midfield,
Dan G, Tom, Luca and Louis. Up front was Callum. In the warm up we
focused on getting the ball to Callum and getting him to lay it off.
The thinking being that this was our outlet.

We kicked off and were immediately under pressure. George was
imperious as ever at the back, with Freddie alongside him they looked
solid. Bravely making blocks and decisiveness in moving the ball. Sam
and Dan G on the right were working well together with Sam full of
energy able to run the line and Dan G showing some neat footwork early
on in tight situations. A genuinely 2-footed player. Willbo returning
to the familiar left side was as assured as he has been all season.

Shots came in and with some last ditch blocks and deflections we kept
our lines clear. Will, in goal, made some excellent catches when under
pressure from on rushing attackers.

Up front we struggled to get the ball to Callum and weren't able to
utilise his strengths. We kept it that way for around 15minutes. A
change was then made with the aim of trying to turn Painswick around.
Luca moved out from centre midfield up front. Freddie took his place
in the middle with Callum coming to left back, Willbo moved centrally
alongside George.

With Tom and Louis starting to link well down the left that was
increasingly the outlet ball. Both lads had excellent matches, Tom in
proper flymo mode was everywhere. Making tackles all over the pitch
and having the strength to dribble with the ball. His link up with
Louis on the left touch line was a real threat. I'm sure that if we
investigated Tom's family tree there would be at least one Kenyan
marathon runner in there somewhere.

Louis had, possibly, his game of the season. Always the outlet ball
his speed of thought and technique meant he rarely gave the ball away
and was able to buy the defence and midfield time. These last few
matches against very good opposition his real quality has shone
through, technique is what's important. Louis was the man of the match
for his constant industry on the left and his quality when playing his
passes whether long down the line for the striker to chase or short to
then receive the second ball.

Goals were inevitable and with about 20 minutes gone the deadlock was
broken. There followed another soon after from an excellent corner.
Half time and Painswick were 2-0 up.

Second half we instructed the team to use the left channel more, to
use Louis and Tom to drive the ball into their half. With Luca up
front we hoped to be able to use his pace to cause Painswick some
problems. If we were attacking down the left then the lads on the
right had to come across to fill the gaps in the middle and not leave
us too exposed. Painswick have two very good centre backs and we never
got a look in through this route as there was always one of them
marking Luca and the other dropping off to then pick up the ball.

Painswick scored their third goal, dancing through the middle, where
we were succumbing to fatigue and scoring far to easily. Although the
shot was deflected which wrong-footed Will leaving him no chance. 3-0.

A change was then made, with no substitutes we had to rest players by
moving them around. Freddie had put in a solid shift in the middle. A
more natural central midfielder he was often overrun and outnumbered
as the other lads pushed forward to try and create a chance, but was
able to jink his way out of trouble. The intensity took a toll so we
shifted him to right back, moved Callum to right midfield, Sam into
centre midfield and Dan G to left back.

Freddie had worked incredibly hard in this match, played three
positions and at the final whistle was showing the scars of his
exertions. Freddie didn't so much as red-line it in this game as blow
the gasket off. What we needed and got from all the players.

We did get a goal back though. And what a goal it was. It was
certainly the goal of the game and came from the unlikely boot of Sam
who doubled his seasons tally. With our attacking play focussing down
the left there was space in the middle and right of midfield. The ball
was played inside to Sam who took a touch and with the ball just in
from of him and fully 60yds out (ok maybe 20-25yds) struck a perfect
right foot shot into the top corner leaving the keeper no chance. Just
reward for our efforts as a team and the lads celebrated as a team.

As George had commented in the car on the way to the game we may be
light on players for the match but the chemistry could not be better.
Wise words from a player that we don't associate with many words at
all ......

There was time for Painswick to score a 4th. That was how the game
would finish, 4-1. We actually agreed to draw proceedings to a close
slightly ahead of time playing the required % for the result to stand.
The lads were, by this point totally done, another 10 minutes and we
would be risking injury.

A valiant performance by 10 men again. In much the same way as we
played at Hucclecote we looked pretty good against a very good team
but with only 10 players.

As I walked the touch line towards the end of the game I overheard a
Painswick parent comment that it was nice to end the season on a high.
I couldn't agree more.








Sent from my iPad

10 Cougars

Another performance to be proud of as the 10-man Cougars took on a strong Painswick team that recently beat us 6-1.

Playing most of the game with backs to the wall we lost 4-1. But the result is only part of the story.

Full match report in the next couple of days but well done to the lads on a performance of real guts and spirit.

Team chemistry has never been greater...

Paintballing!

To draw a line under this season I am looking into organising for the team (and parents) to go paintballing. There's a place very near called Go Ballistic that can do this.
It costs £9.99 a head to book (includes a gun, overalls, head gear, and light lunch) and then you pay as you go, £6 for 100 bullets. The minimum age is 12.

That's the easy part - organising dates will be difficult. I have not checked in with them for their availability i will do this once I have a view of what our availability might be.

Please email me to confirm your interest and what date(s) you can make.

• 1st June
• 15th June
• 22nd June
• 29th June

Final League Match - Away to Painswick Wednesday 24th April

Our final league match this season will be against Painswick Youth on Wednesday 24/04 and be played at the King George V playing field, Bisley. 

The game kicks off at 6:30 so lets aim to meet at 6pm.

The full address is Vanderbreen Street, Bisley, Stroud GL6 7BN. In view of issues with Google Maps in this area there is no map posted!

Squad (Confirmed)

1. Will.I.Am
2. Paddy
3. Luca
4. Jacob
5. Louis
6. Freddie
7. Dan H
8. Tom
9. Conor
10. Callum
11. Willbo
12. Sam 
13. Dan G

To be confirmed

• George

 Unavailable 

• Max T 
• Max P
• Harvey 
• Jordan 

end of season blues.....

Cheltenham Youth League
LRFC Cougars (1) V (6) Painswick Youth
1400hrs kick off, Naunton Park

On reflection we were rarely in this game although it never really felt like we were out of it. Where it mattered, goals, we came up short. With our keeper doing something egg-chasing related we moved Jacob into goal. An excellent keeper in his own right this move does, however, rob us of our midfield battery. 

Up stepped Conor who in the first half particularly was the epitome of strength and power. Flying into tackles and breaking up play all around him. Where we struggled was up front and actually getting the ball there. For the second game in a row we failed to create clear chances. So while we had good possession and defended well at times Painswick were more clinical when they had chances. 

The opening goal was  penalty. correctly called by the referee and scored in less than convincing manner in off the post. Jacob dived the right way and it was only his reach that stopped him getting to it. You can practice and train many things but longer arms isn't one of them. At the back Jordan and Paddy as centre backs looked strong and composed on the ball. With Harvey at left back and Willbo on the right we did alright. The difference was that when Painswick had a chance they took it.   

Freddie started well in midfield, staying deep and then moving the ball quickly forward through Max T and Louis. Painswick were quick to close down though and in the heart of their defence had a defender with as much pace as Luca and Daniel - not something we see very often. Freddie made way for Max P to come on in midfield, his attributes of bustling tackles and commitment made a difference and he linked well with Max T and Louis although again we failed to create a clear chance and didn't even test their keeper.

The second goal looped over Jacob's head leaving him no chance and owed as much to the wind as it did the strike. At the interval we were 3-0 down and while we did not look out of it we didn't really look like scoring. 

The second half we had the wind behind us. We resumed in a 4-5-1 formation but quickly switched to 4-4-2 in a bid to get some momentum. Louis moving up alongside Luca with Conor moving out to the left of the midfield 4. Within 15 minutes of the restart we had conceded 2 more goals to put us 5-0 down. As we pressed forward the gaps at the back were apparent and exploited. 

Jacob then came out of goal replaced by Freddie. This had an impact on the team and we started to get more of the ball although with the clock ticking it was a big ask. We did get a goal back, through Luca, good work from a throw in from Dan G, coming on for Willbo, the ball dropping for Luca. Some quick feet and he slid the ball under the goalkeeper. He only had one chance and scored. 

As if to put us back in our box Painswick replied almost immediately with their 6th goal. 6-1 which was how the game would end.

It's easy to drawn on negatives from a result like this, but not the performance. When we were in possession we played the ball, we tried to pass it and were able to without reaching the front players. We did not resort to just kicking the ball forward. To the credit of both teams this was a really good football match. Where we lost the game, in similar manner to Thursday, was in midfield. That is not to criticize the midfielders just that we have played against some very strong technical teams. Teams that are very strong when the ball is in the air. This is not something that we are good at and was a similar story to much of last season. 

Paddy was the MotM although was closely run by Conor. His power and pace for the whole match was excellent. Bringing the ball out of defence when he could and clearing it when necessary. Alongside Jordan who never stopped talking and organising and showed strength to get his foot in when necessary. 

The last two matches have been a struggle and we have shipped 14 goals. Through this Louis has shown to be an excellent footballer, great technique in possession and able to drop a shoulder to buy him some time. Against strong opposition his ability has really been apparent. 

We have one final game on Wednesday 24/04 against Painswick. We could still be playing for joint 4th spot in the league, with Painswick (assuming the fail to get a result at Churchdown) we cannot be caught by the teams below us so relegation is not likely. 

Lets have a final push and give a good account of ourselves later this month.

One final note, Eric departs for the Himalayas, via Delhi, on Monday to start his epic journey to Base Camp Everest. There are more details on his trip here and there is still time to support his charity efforts. 

As a little taster on what he might expect to see this is a Himalayan sunset...

This is a photo of Eric training earlier this year on Leckhampton hill. We all wish him well.

Final match v Painswick

Due to availability of pitches our final league match v Painswick is
going to brought forward from 28/04 to Wednesday 24/04.

Please confirm availability for this revised fixture.

Sunday 14/04 - League Match V Painswick Youth

This Sunday (14/04) we have a home fixture v Painswick Youth at Naunton Park. Kick off is at 2pm so lets meet at 1:15 so we can set-up the pitch etc.

Squad for the game will be:
Jacob
Jordan
Paddy
Willbo
Harvey
Luca
Louis
Callum
Freddie
Conor
Dan H
Dan G
Max T
Max P

One of those days...

Cheltenham Youth League
GVR (8) V (0) LRFC Cougars
1830hrs kick off,Chalford

 

If you are going to get hammered in a match at least losing to, arguably, the best team we have faced makes it, some how, tolerable.  

 

Oddly the game started pretty well and at 0-0 for a long period of the first half we were not out of the game. That said we didn't really register a clear chance on goal. GVR restricted to long shots and crosses that we were the equal of. Some of the defending was last ditch on our part but that's what defenders are for ;) Tom was catching the eye in the left back position and Will and Freddie were solid enough with George doing what he does. 

When the opening goal came it was from indecision in defence. The GVR player danced through the middle of our penalty area leaving Will with no chance but the three players around him never registered a tackle. 

1-0.

The second goal came shortly after and left the game at 2-0 going into half time. A well struck shot that Will got a solid hand to but saw his save hit the post and trickle over the line. One of those things.

2-0 at half time.

The second half we felt that we were still in it. Only 2-0 down. The second half could not have been more different. GVR stepped up a gear or maybe we were tired. Any ball benig played into midfield was being won by a GVR player. We just stopped being competitive and when we had the ball played some neat passes but never in threatening areas of the pitch. 

Switching to 4-4-2 saw us cause GVR a few problems for a time, Louis' skill at holding the ball and then driving at them forcing them backwards for a time. His cross flashed across the penalty area with no Cougar in striking distance. This was short lived and GVR started to turn the screw. We were struggling to get out of our half. 

 

GVR's power started to really tell and with 6 goals in the second half we did well not to let our heads drop completely. 

 

Factor in a couple of horrendous showers of hail and rain that was like stair rods and it really was evening best forgotten.

GVR are top of the league and probably on this form are the best team we have faced this season. They are certainly the strongest team in every position that we have faced. They've only dropped two points this season, which was against us when we drew 2-2 in December. 

 

Lets remember that as we finish the season with two final games against Painswick.

League Match - Thursday 11th April (1830hrs kick off)

This Thursday, 11/04, we have a league match against GVR with the match kicking off at 1830hrs. 

The match is to be played at the Chalford Sports & Social Club, the address is 

Highfield Way, France Lynch, Stroud, Glos GL6 8LZ 

Squad for this match will be...

1. Will F
2. George
3. Will D
4. Dan G
5. Jacob 
6. Callum
7. Tom
8. Luca
9. Max T
10. Freddie
11. Dan H
12. Louis 
13. Conor

 The squad tracker is here - any updates please confirm.
 

Park the bus....

Cheltenham Youth League
Gotherington Juniors U13's (1) V (4) LRFC Cougars
1400hrs kick off, King George V Playing field

This was an odd game to watch, it seemed to take an age to get going. With the Cougars dominating possession we were restricted to long shots from the edge of the box with Freddie, Jacob and Max all going close without being on target. We could not thread the balls to the wide men or strikers as Gotherington defended in numbers and when their defenders had it it was immediately sent long. 

Where Gotherington are dangerous is on the break as they have an out-standing striker. With the Cougars all pressing forward we were caught out and conceded an early goal. To the lads credit they didn't panic or start to play any differently. 

We created chances with the wide players sending the ball across the penalty area but no player advanced enough to capitalise. The equalising goal came from Luca following a goal mouth scramble he prodded the ball home from close range. 1-1 and nerves settled.

The pattern of play continued with the cougars enjoying the majority of possession and Gotherington looking dangerous on the break .

Half time and the score was 1-1.

the instruction at half time was to try and get some energy into our play. Not that the lads were tired, it was just that they were missing some zip. 

The second half kicked off and playing down the slope the pattern of play was very similar. The second goal came courtesy of Conor on his return to the side. Picking the ball up outside the area he hit a right footed shot into the top left corner, leaving the keeper no chance. 2-1 and the goal that really turned the game around. With Gotherington restricted to chasing long punts from their defenders the game was going as we anticipated.

With changes being made through the side we were able to maintain the same pattern of play. Sam on the right had a very strong game. Always a threat with his guile he linked well with Jacob, Tom and Max to play dangerous balls into the box. Equally Louis on the left touchline was having another superb game. Using all his skill and trickery to get forward and fizz the ball into the box. 

We still needed a goal to put the game beyond doubt and it came from Luca. Bursting through the middle onto a Max through ball following great industry from Sam he put the ball into the bottom left beyond the keeper. 3-1.

We then lost Louis to a sprained ankle but there was time for one more goal. With Daniel coming on for the last 5 minutes, in place of the injured Louis, we won a corner to be taken from the right. Dan drove it across the penalty area inside the 6 yard box. The ball deflected over the bar from the Gotherington defender with no Cougar inside the 6 yard box. Another corner, same side, same taker.

Instructions shouted to Sam to get in the 6 yard box. Instructions ignored and shouted again, and again, and again. Sam eventually positioned himself inside the 6yard box. Dan duly obliged with a perfect corner that arrowed to his forehead, Sam cushioned the header back across the keeper and into the net. 4-1.

The game finished shortly afterwards. 

We took a while to get going in this game, the opposition were set out to defend deep and play the ball long turning us around to then start again with an attack. The lads struggled against this tactic and were frustrated by it. It is a tactic though and so needs to be broken down. We did create a number of chances from wide positions that we were unable to capitalise on today. 

What was pleasing today was that we were able to make changes without disrupting our play. We also used some players in different positions with Freddie playing holding midfield and then striker later in the game. The wide players, Louis and Sam, both had excellent games. Conor in the middle was out-standing and scored the goal that set us on the way to victory. Paddy at the back was a little rusty, not having kicked a ball in quite a few weeks, but soon settled and got more and more involved as the game progressed. Willbo and Dan G showed good decision making in a match when they were often isolated. 

George played today but struggled with his calf in the second half. Hopefully a few days rest will see him OK for Thursday evening in Chalford. Tom provided much needed energy and dribbling ability in the midfield and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Ditto Max really, who was pulling the strings but just not able to get his shots away quickly enough. 

Man of the match was a difficult one today as the match was pretty flat. Conor, on his return scored a memorable goal and was solid in the heart of midfield. Sam was challenging following a great display wide-right and also scoring a memorable goal. As a result of which both lads were awarded the honor!

There are three matches remaining this season that will surely provide a sterner test and ultimately shape our season. We are playing well and scoring goals so our confidence should be high.

Well done to the lads and thanks, once again and as ever, to the great support we had on the touchline.

Sunday 7th April - League Match Away V Gotherington Juniors

Sunday 7th April we have a league match with a 2pm kick-off away to Gotherington Juniors.

The game is to be played at the King George V playing field, Brooklyn Road, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51-8DT with the entrance opposite turning into Edinburgh Place.

View Larger Map

The squad for the game will be as follows, with the starting 11 to comprise the lads that finished the game v Hucclecote.

1. Will F
2. George
3. Will D
4. Dan G
5. Jacob
6. Sam
7. Paddy
8. Luca
9. Max T
10. Freddie
11. Dan H
12. Tom
13. Conor
14. Paddy
15. Louis

Hucclecote 4 - Cougars 2

Cheltenham Youth League
Hucclecote Hawks U13's (4) V (2) LRFC Cougars
1800hrs kick off, Dowty Sports and Social Club

The scoreline only tells part of the story. Sure Hucclecote won 4-2, a scoreline that looks convincing but that's not the story of this match.

With a depleted squad, again, we started the game with 12 players available. Lining up with Will F in goal, again captaining the side, a back four of Sam, Willbo, George and Dan G. In front of them we started with Jacob and Freddie, then an attacking trio of Louis, Max T and Dan H. Luca the lone striker.

We started a bit slow with Hucclecote dominating the early exchanges. They were first to the ball and crisper in their passing. With both teams playing the ball on the deck the harsh winds were not really affecting play. Once settled down we started to pass the ball and gain some confidence. 

Hucclecote went 1-0 up after about 8 minutes. A break from midfield saw their striker finish with a strike that flew in over Wills head. The game evened out and was being played through midfield. In attack we had the beating, for pace, of the Hucclecote defenders and it was only wayward shooting and a fine save that denied both Luca (twice) and Daniel after Hucclecote went 1 up. There was then a second goal for Hucclecote. 2-0.

It was after the second goal that things went downhill for the Cougars. Firstly Freddy succumbed to knee injuries meaning he was unable to continue. A reshuffle saw Luca drop back into midfield alongside Jacob with Callum pushing up front. 

We continued to match Hucclecote through midfield and both teams looked dangerous on the break. Our defence held firm with George in partiuclar in imperious form. Pace to get back and take the ball of attackers toes he has added composure on the ball to bring the ball out and play excellent passes, short or long, to team mates. His performance today was excellent and deserved of the MotM award. 

With Luca playing in the engine room of midfield a heavy tackle saw him flattened, it was a free kick but unfortunately knee issues (pre-existing) meant that he was unable to continue. With 10 minutes to half time we were down to 10 men.

Dan H was pulled back into midfield with Callum moving to wide right. We were basically playing without a striker. The thinking being that one or both of either Freddie or Luca would recover to rejoin the fray. 

Half time came and injuries had not eased. We took to the field with ten players. The instruction was to keep it simple and if not sure where to play the ball to aim for the corners and turn the Hucclecote players around. Not to waste energy chasing lost causes. 

Hucclecote unsurprisingly started to dominate possession although as the half wore on their energy visibly dropped. Max T started to get on the ball more and although we did not have a striker we had Louis on the left wing as the outlet holding the ball up to then release players joining through the middle. We created a couple of half chances, first Jacob burst through but was forced too far wide seeing his left foot shot not trouble the keeper. Then Daniel, similarly, was put through only to see his shot fizz wide.

Through midfield and defence we held firm. Will D, alongside George at the heart of defence was solid and reliable as ever. Never shirking the physical challenge and showing excellent decision making with his clearances and play from the back this, more and more, looks like the best centre back partnership we have. 

Dan G at right back had, probably his best game. With limited opportunities he played the full match and showed really good improvement and confidence as the game progressed. Not getting caught out at the back, not diving in and showing that he is a genuinely two-footed player. Sam at rightback also improved as the game progressed, growing in confidence and having the energy to burst forward to support midfield when needed.

Though we were playing well Hucclecote were still the more threatening and the third goal was unlucky for us. A deflected shot looped over Wills head and dropped into the far corner of the goal. No chance for the keeper and put use 3-0 down. But still playing with 10 men we looked increasingly likely to get a goal. 

That goal when it came was after some slick and consistent passing. The ball played from the back through midfield and to the right wing where Dan H burst forward with what is now typical powerful and aggressive running a strong cross hit with Jacob bursting into the area to finish 3-1. 

We celebrated it like we had won the match!

More was to come, with Louis the outlet ball on the left he was able to buy the team time to support the front play. Max T, Jacob and Daniel all trying to get forward and link up. This left us exposed at the back and Hucclecote scored a 4th to make it 4-1 with a nice finish across the goal. 

We weren't done though and there was time for Callum to open his account for the season. The ball bouncing in the area he controlled it and then finished beyond the keepers dive. 4-2. 

The game played out with the final score 4-2. 

The lads that played the majority of the game as 10 men should be proud of how they set about the task. They played with all the attributes you want to see, desire, strength, heart and commitment. Their heads never dropped. 

But more than that they also played with composure. Passing the ball out of defence and trying to link play through to attack. With no attack in place it was about holding the ball up and trying to support play.

Maybe Hucclecote eased off a bit as they were already in the lead and in reality the victor was rarely in doubt. But that said this was a team that previously beat us 6-0 and could have racked up a significant score in this match once we were down to 10 men if we had let them. That takes nothing away from the team performance today. 

Very proud of all the lads today, there were excellent performances all round. George was MotM, Will in goal made some great saves and showed good ability in sweeping up when we were caught short in defence. For players like Callum and Dan G that don't always get a lot of game time they really grew in confidence today and showed how they can play. Louis on the left became more influential as the game wore on linking with Max t and Jacob (who simply has the best batteries) to good effect. 

When you lose a game but play like that you cannot be disappointed.

Proud

To the 12 boys that were available today and the 10 that played for nearly 45 minutes I do not think it possible to be prouder of the commitment, heart and industry that you displayed today.

You will be the starting 11 on Sunday.

Full match report to follow.

Gianfranco Zola Masterclass

Legend is an often overused word, particularly with reference to sport and football. However I think most would agree that Gianfranco Zola was a special player.

This was his video from Sky sports at the weekend with a masterclass in shooting, penalty kicks and free kicks. Enjoy! 

3rd April - League match V Hucclecote Hawks

We have a league match on the evening of 3rd April which is the reverse fixture against the Hucclecote Hawks. We last played them in December where we were taught a bit of a lesson on a very mucky, sticky pitch losing 6-0.

Lets give a better account of ourselves tomorrow where conditions should be more condusive to good football.

The match kicks off at 6pm and is to be played at Dowty Sports Centre off Down Hatherley Lane. Lets meet around 5:30 to prepare and warm up etc.

The squad for the match will be 

1. Will F
2. George
3. Will D
4. Dan G
5. Jacob
6. Sam
7. Luca
8. Max T
9. Dan H
10. Freddie
11. Conor
12. Louis
13. Callum