[lfc-news] Under-18s face the Eagles - Official Site

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
$9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Official LFC Website, 20 Aug 2004
UNDER-18S FACE THE EAGLES
By Steve Hunter

A new look Liverpool youth side will be in action on Saturday morning when
John Owens Under-18s host Crystal Palace at the Academy.
The 2004/05 season brings a new format for Academy football as the Under-17
and Under-19 teams are replaced by just one competitive team as the Under-18s.

John Owens, who previously managed the Under-19 team for two years, is the
man in charge of the Under-18s. He is also helping out Hughie McAuley
assisting the reserves this season.

Former Under-17 manager Dave Shannon is now in charge of the Under-16 team
who play in a non-competitive league.

Explaining the new format Owens told Liverpoolfc.tv: "In the past we had
full-time sixth formers playing in a competitive league at Under-17 and
Under-19 level.

"What they have done now is change to just one Under-18 side but have
allowed three outfield Under-19 players plus a goalkeeper. It means you can
have more than three outfield Under-19 players in your squad but for
instance if you wanted to bring an Under-19 player on as a substitute, you
would have to take one of the three Under-19 players off. You can't bring
on an Under-19 for an Under-18. What it means is clubs will take on fewer
players generally as scholars.

"I think the main reason for it, and it's not the decision of coaches or
people like myself but it's the chairman. Not necessarily our chairman, but
each top flight club chairman had a meeting and agreed to reduce the number
of players coming through.

"For many clubs it's a cost cutting exercise and means they can spend more
money on first team players etc.

"From our squad this season we will have a few involved with the reserves,
so at times they will need to rest from the Saturday Academy games. But we
will be looking for all the players to do well and improve over the season.

"We should be putting out a good display each week. There are problems and
issues to work on and that is why we are here. None of them are the
finished article, so both team-wise and individually there is a lot for
them to learn other than just skills and understanding of the game."

Owens believes the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager has
been a boost for the Academy, after seeing graduates Stephen Warnock and
Darren Potter making their debuts in the Spaniard's first competitive game
in charge in the Champions League against AK Graz.

Owens said: "That is a great boost. It is the kind of thing we have needed
to show the lads who are still at the Academy that the route is open."

Liverpool Under-18 squad 2004/05: Under-19 players: Paul Willis (GK),
Daniel O'Donnell, James Smith, Ryan Wilkie. Under-18 players: Paul
Lancaster (GK), Callum Woods, Danny Smith, Mark Roberts, Lee Peltier, Adam
Hitchen, Danny Guthrie, John-Paul Kelly, Phil Townley, Karl Noon, Conal
Platt. Under-17 players: James Frayne, Adam Hammill, Jordan Holmes, Francis
Smith.

Kick-off for the opening match of the season against Crystal Palace at the
Academy in Kirkby is 11am.


Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/