John McMahon appointed reserve team coach

[gareth_thomas]

[quote author=RedZeppelin link=topic=34022.msg1298834#msg1298834 date=1299864296]
Certainly a weird time to make a change like this so either something went on or McMahon was told he would be let go in summer and got the hump and left now.

The reserve team has been a bit weaker of late but that is normal for this time of year when lots of them are sent out on loan and others getting more involved in first team .

I can't imagine he can be too upset at not getting some under 18s , if he's told they are not ready or wanted for the 18s to better their development then what can he do
[/quote]

The U-18's are on a roll with some big games coming up... Id say at the moment they are learning more by staying with Borrell than moving to the reserves.

 

[King Binny]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/video/News-and-Interviews/10-11/Seguras-philos-23821.php3

Segura mentioned about his vision for the academy to be a constant production line, looking for stream of players to make it through instead of 1 or 2 star players etc.

Perhaps McMahon's contract was expiring too, seeing that he joined in 2009? His predecessor Gary Ablett was on a 2 yr contract too.

 

[doctor_mac]

That Segura interview is really impressive. I pinch myself that we have Segura and Borrell at the club. I do wonder if McMahon has been miffed at the club's swing in attention from the Reserves to the Academy. We might also wonder if McMahon is fully on board with Segura's philosophy.

 

[Judge Jules]

The Academy was Kenny's area of operation before he got the manager's job, so he'll have a good idea of how things stood there and how he wants them to be. One has to assume it wasn't his priority to keep McMahon, whether or not he actually wanted him to go.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Just a wild idea: maybe the Reserves team is going to be dismantled and reformed as a "hand-picked" squad rather than a separate one.

Meaning, a player is either brought in for the "senior" squad (say squad of 32), or for the U-18 or U-16 teams. For games, the Reserve team will then be pulled from a mix of the best U-18 or U-16 players (shouldn't be a problem if they all play the same system). If you can't make the grade (i.e. graduate to the main squad) after 18, then you don't have a future here.

That gives the U-18 and U-16 players more games to play (against stronger/tougher/more experienced opponents), and also ensures that those who aren't good enough aren't kept on for too long. At the same time, it squeezes the "senior" squad as the U-18s will push harder to make the cut, while the poorest performers in the "senior" squad would be moved on each year (for size/budget reasons).

Kinda' like some sales forces, where the guys on the end tail get chopped at the end of the year.

 

[King Binny]

Highlights of Segura's 1st game in charge:

Arsenal Reserves 2-1 Liverpool Reserves Highlights (3/11)

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Silva looks like he's got some pace and a decent pass on him.

 

[keniget]

Shame he's got a right foot even Riise could probably improve on.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=34022.msg1301950#msg1301950 date=1300522110]
Shame he's got a right foot even Riise could probably improve on.
[/quote]

Awesome. We'll definitely get JAR back now as his mentor then.

 

[Judge Jules]

Thanks for that Binny - first time I've seen the ressies for a fair while. A few reactions:

(a) Wisdom looks a player;

(b) Saric doesn't;

(c) Ince holds on to the ball too long when he's running with it.

 

[King Binny]

Cheers, Jules. Thats my only source of reserves team footage since I don't have .tv pass >_<

Wonder what the situation is with Thomas Ince though. Would we be playing him if he's certainly not going to sign any extension? Does that mean he's staying? Btw, was Bruna injured? Thought he just scored not long ago.

 

[King Binny]

LIVERPOOL'S hunt for the next Steven Gerrard has prompted a revamp of their youth set-up.

The club want more integration between the senior and junior sides after acknowledging the divide between Melwood and The Academy has failed.

Liverpool's reserves are now based full-time in Kirkby and there have been tentative talks about whether the first team should eventually follow.

That would be problematic and expensive, but senior figures across the club believe it would be more beneficial.

Second-string boss John McMahon, out of contract at the end of this campaign, is on gardening leave until the summer because he is not part of the new plans.

The decision was overseen by director of football Damien Comolli but the changes are another clear hint Kenny Dalglish is on the verge of being offered the manager's job permanently.