Alright, let’s talk about my little project following the england u 17 lads for a bit. It wasn’t anything official, just something I got interested in, you know? Wanted to see the next generation coming through.
Getting Started
So, first off, I had to figure out when and where they were actually playing. Wasn’t always straightforward. I started by just searching online, looking for tournament schedules or upcoming friendly matches. Sometimes the official FA site had info, other times I was digging through news articles or fan forums. It took a bit of effort just to get a basic calendar together.
Trying to Watch
Okay, knowing when they played was one thing. Actually watching the games was a whole different challenge. These U17 matches aren’t always broadcast like the senior team games, right? Sometimes they were streamed online, maybe on the tournament organiser’s site or even YouTube, but often with dodgy quality or weird commentary. Other times, especially for friendlies, there was just no coverage at all. I remember setting my alarm for some weird early morning kick-offs for a tournament abroad, only to find the stream wasn’t working. Frustrating stuff.
When I couldn’t watch live, I’d hunt down highlights later. That was easier, usually clips popped up on various football sites or social media within a day or two. Not the same as watching the full 90 minutes, but better than nothing.
Keeping Track
I wasn’t just passively watching either. I decided to keep a little log. Nothing fancy, just a notebook where I’d jot down:
- Lineups: Who started, who came on as a sub. Tried to see patterns.
- Key moments: Goals, big chances, red cards, stuff like that.
- Player notes: If someone caught my eye, good or bad, I’d make a note. Maybe a skillful dribble, a bad mistake, good positioning.
- Overall impression: How the team played, did they look organised, what was the style like.
It helped me feel a bit more invested, like I was actually analysing something, even if it was just for my own interest. I started recognising names and seeing how certain players were developing over the matches I could track.
What I Found
Doing this for a few months, maybe over a tournament cycle, gave me a decent feel for that specific group of england u 17 players. You see the raw talent, definitely. Some kids looked technically brilliant. But you also see the inconsistency, which is totally normal at that age. One game they look world-beaters, the next they struggle to string passes together.
It was interesting seeing the tactical approaches too. Sometimes quite attacking, other times more cautious depending on the opponent. You could sort of see the coaching philosophy trying to be implemented, even if the execution wasn’t always perfect.
Ultimately, it was just a personal exercise in following a team closely, beyond the usual big headlines. Took some digging, some patience with finding streams, but it was quite rewarding just observing the process and the potential bubbling under the surface. You get a different perspective on player development watching these youth games compared to the finished articles in the Premier League.
