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5 in a row it is. What’s the consensus on Jody Morris these days? He’s being held in high regard at the club. Time to move him up as part of the first team setup or is he better off in the youth setup?
jaw-
It was a good game last night. Some classy football. Some tension in the crowd until the fourth goal went in and put the result beyond doubt. By then the Arsenal support had pretty much gone home.
Really classy by the FA who held the presentation facing the west stand at the Emirates while all the supporters were in the east stand. The only people in the west stand were the freeloaders in the directors' box, almost all of whom had left to fill their bellies with free drinks. The only possible justification was to have pictures with a crowd behind it but, in reality was a typical FA snub to supporters (and to the players who really enjoyed one of their first experiences of a decent crowd.)
Lovely touch by young George McEachran, younger and more takented brother of Josh, who took the trophy and walked to the Chelsea supporters with a scarf around his neck. When he got just in front of us, he placed the trophy on the ground and took off the scarf. It had "Ray Wilkens" printed on it. He held the scarf over the Cup. The type of sentiment from one so young that one would love to see in older players.
Five in a row equals the record of the Busby Babes in the first five years of the competition. 33 goals for and only one against.
Jody Morris was the last person who I would have expected to oversee such a triumph but he has really come into his own. I used to dislike him as a player, never seemed to fulfill his early promise and was always prone to lead young players astray. For some reason, in those days, the club was very supportive of him. Ken Bates always went out of his way to help him. He came from a very troubled background. The new regime has taken him back and he has shone. A remarkable and brilliant transformation.
That said, one should not overlook the role played by Neil Bath who is the one constant over the past decade of success.
Encouraging. Hopefully some of the kids will make it in football and possibly even at Chelsea.
cliveo
Match Day.
7:45pm. U18 FA Cup Final second leg Arsenal v Chelsea. At the Emirates. Tickets still available for the home end apparently (until 5pm): £4.
Arsenal started well on Friday, soaking up immense Chelsea pressure before breaking and scoring against the run of play. First goal that Chelsea have conceded in the competition. Chelsea maintained the pressure and managed to get three back. All to play for tonight. Away goals do not count double in the event of a draw. Not sure if there is extra time or if it goes straight to penalties.
Some excellent football on Friday. The standard has improved over the past few years. Each year there is one standout player who goes on to be a star. Players like Nathan Ake and Lucas Piazzon have won this Cup in recent years. If Chelsea can squeak through, it will be their 5th win in 5 years. This will equal ManU's record from the era of the Busby Babes 1953-57.
For those of you who prefer their football of the plastic variety, the game is also being shown on ITV4.
http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/nov/02/history-of-the-fa-youth-cup