City assistant coach Pep Lijnders said a stunning debut display from teenage winger Ryan McAidoo provided further proof positive of the outstanding crop of talent being unearthed by the Club’s Acade...
City assistant coach Pep Lijnders said a stunning debut display from teenage winger Ryan McAidoo provided further proof positive of the outstanding crop of talent being unearthed by the Club’s Academy.
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On what proved a historic day for the Club, City overwhelmed Exeter 10-1 at the Etihad in the FA Cup third round to both seal our ticket into Monday’s fourth round draw and equal our biggest-ever win.
It matched a 10-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at Maine Road recorded back in 1987.
On an afternoon laden with positives aplenty, new signing Antoine Semenyo both scored a debut goal and provided an assist in a man of the match display.
Max Alleyne meanwhile marked his second senior start by registering his own maiden City goal to open the scoring.
And on a day where a host of Academy talent again took centre stage, 17-year-old McAidoo belied his tender years by rounding off a superb debut performance of his own by notching a brilliant second half strike.
At one stage in the second half City had seven Academy graduates out on the pitch.
For admiring assistant coach Lijnders, McAidoo’s impact and hunger served to epitomise both the rich seam of talent constantly being unearthed by the Club and their infectious attitude.
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“I think everyone saw it,” said Lijnders.
“The guy he wants the ball constantly. When Ryan faces the goal, he’s so dangerous.
“He can go inside and outside and keeps the ball in different situations. This drive of always wanting to create especially how we plate with the guys on the outside.
“We want these kinds of players. If you bring guys early and train early they can adapt quicker to the intensity of the first team and make the steps we want them to make.
“Ryan today is serious. Glimpses but not only glimpses.
“The way he follows Erling all the time and chases. He played 95 minutes and he’s not played for quite a long time because he’s always training with us.
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“He gives me a smile when he gets the ball and I think he gives the fans a smile too and that’s special.”
The assistant coach also referenced how the young players’ heart and desire proved infectious alongside their more senior colleagues.
And he believed it dovetailed perfectly on what proved a day to savour.
“It’s down to the players,” Lijnders added.
“When you see the example today, how many young players from the Academy and you see the fire in their heart and how they want to represent this club.
“Everyone speaks about Ryan McAidoo, the goal he scored, a special day, and goes to his dad and all these things but his pressing was insane.
“It was Erling going, Divine going, Rico going, we had how many boys from the Academy.
“That’s a good sign from the club and the boys give energy.”
Category: General Sports
