Hard to learn too much about the youngsters last night given the poor tempo of the game, I've watched most of them in the u18's and 23's in recent years and their all technically very good but hard to know how good they are until their given a chance in the 1st team. Laird was probably the most impressive but thats not a surprise to anyone who's seen him before. Gomes' development has stalled a little, as a 16 year old he was as good as anything his age in Europe but his size is still a worry; Would much rather see him getting minutes ahead of Mata but don't know whether his contract wrangle is causing an issue.
Shaw was very disappointing, poor defensively and offered very little going forward; He's a very unintelligent player, time and time again he fails to make the right run either to get the ball or create space for someone else. He's another one who's got a fight on his hands to save his future at OT. Lingard's first touch was poor and and time and time again he'd carry the ball into a teammates space instead of passing to him earlier, brainless at times.
So many average players still at OT who are not good enough and most of them have been bought. I feel a bit sorry for Jones, he'd have been a very good player if he could stay fit but he just can't stay fit. He played as nearly many games in his first 3 seasons then he's played in the next 6, time to get rid barring a miracle. Don't know whats going on with our defenders but Dalot & Rojo are another two who can't stay fit, no idea whats wrong with Dalot currently.
