Went to the nextgen match last night. I have to say that we probably deserved to lose the match. Sporting dominated the first 80 minutes of the match (bar perhaps the the first 15 when play was switching quickly from one side to another), and looked in complete control until we got a penalty that gave us some momentum for the last ten minutes of the match. In extra time, Spurs were suddenly the dominant team actually, and Sporting were looking very tired. Unfortunately, I think they scored both times they crossed the halfway line in the first half of extra time. In fact, they barely did cross the halfway line for their 5th goal. It was a shot from a ridiculous distance.
All in all, Sporting passed the ball around better, however, and their players were both technically more accomplished and tactically better aware than our players. To be a bit blunt, Sporting's players looked like they had actually been taught how to play the game, whilst our lads looked like a bunch of very enthuastic and energetic kids who were playing on instinct and enthusiasm. In addition to that, Sporting were also physically stronger than us. There were some big boys in the Sporting team. The only aspect where we looked superiour was in terms of fitness. We seemed fresher in extra time than Sporting, despite the outcome.
In the first half, we played a very direct game. We hardly ever tried to pass the ball through the midfield, but instead opted for early balls in behind Sporting's defence for Coulthirst and McEvoy to chase. We didn't have much success with that though. When we did try to pass the ball through midfield, we lost possession pretty much every time. The few times we looked threatening was when we found our wingers with balls to feet. They both caused their full backs some problems, but unfortuantely the final ball was normally poor.
In the second half, especially later on, we managed to play through midfield with more success, probably helped by the fact that Sporting were tiring and could no longer maintain the pressure on the ball they had in the first half. We did play some better football at least.
In terms of individual players:
Vigouroux: Looked like it was his first game in goal in his life. At fault for the last three goals. Maybe a bit harsh on the last one which was an incredible and surprising shot, but I think he should have had it covered. The 4th was a tame long-range shot that slipped under him, and he conceded a penalty for the third goal after mistiming an interception for the third or fourth time of the match. Very poor understanding with the center-backs as well it seemed.
Barthram: Our best player of the night I felt. A tiny fella, but quick feet and a decent understanding of the game. Made some decent interceptions. Also fairly comfortable on the ball, and the only one in our team who seemed capable of putting in a decent cross.
Both center backs, Ball and Veljkovic, were very unimpressive. They both looked slow, and failed to see danger until it was too late. Both of them showed that they could take the ball out of the back fairly well, especially late on in the game, and also play some decent balls from the back, but defensively, they were far from sound.
Stewart at left back was absolutely rubbish, in all aspects of the game. Even when using his hands on throw-ins he failed to get the ball in the vicinity of a teammate. Can't believe he is even on our books based of what I have seen of him in this game and also at home to Barca.
Dombaxe in holding midfield had an awful lot of energy and never seemed to tire. Worked incredibly hard, but on the ball he was limited in terms of technical ability and creativity.
Bentaleb had a poor game. I thought he had something about him when I saw him against Barcelona, but in this game he needed too much time on the ball and was caught in possession time and time again. Passing was also inaccurate.
Lameiras showed some good touches early on. Clearly has some technical ability. Struggled to get involved in the game though and later on he also made too many mistakes when he was in possession.
Odowah took his goal very well. Otherwise he was rarely involved. A few times he got past his man, but his crossing was very poor.
McEvoy was never afraid to take his man on. A few times he succeeded, but both decision-making and execution was poor when he got into promising positions.
Coulthirst seemed like a hard-working striker. Full of running, even though the service up to him was very poor at times. Some decent hold-up play with his back towards goal and showed good bodystrength. Not sure his touch is good enough though, and when he did get the ball inside the box he needed too much time to set himself and rarely got a shot off.
I lost track on the subs coming on. Lesniak came on for Lameiras midway through the second half and got involved more on the ball. Tidy enough in possession, but I didn't see as much creativity and incisive passing as I would have liked.
There was also a lanky black kid who came on on the left flank who looked like he had never seen a ball before, possibly Akindayini. Certainly him or Onomah. Either way, he seemed incredibly clumsy.
