Watching my young lad play this morning, U17. Pretty ugly stuff, a team getting beat more interested in doing damage with managers encouraging them to do it, (their lot not ours I hasten to add). When he was younger, (can't tell him anything now), I tried to teach him to control it, pass it & try to play football. Why would a manager who is responsible for youngfellas playing ball encourage them to do damage? I know they're competitive but a second one way or the other could have ended one of these kids. Anyone have a comment?
Very cynical. I remember being told to "lay into the corner back" when I played hurling....way way back. "Let him know you are there". I guess a physicality always has been there, but certainly there has been an uncomfortable increase in cynicism in underage sports these days. A manager should emphasis fairplay and a skillful approach to underage talent. Otherwise talent is not developed and we end up with the next breed of vinny jones/carsleys. It will be difficult encourage the next liam bradys if they are kicked for years