U23s v Stoke City

[Baw Heid]

You must tell me your magic secret for posting 27 times yet you've received 82 likes!

like to think that the subject is of interest and that the fans like to hear an honest view of our promising young talent. I'm privileged to have the time to watch a good few of their games

 

[larkymasher]

Couldn't agree more. Although I tend not to get too sentimental about the notion of 'our own', I do appreciate a good player who's managed to make it through the obvious cut and thrust that goes with wanting to play for the first team.

I agree with you IIYB regards not being too lovey dovey regards young players potential, but there is just something good about one or two Sheffield lads playing in a winning SUFC first team...... It would also be even better if we kept them a bit longer

 

[itsinyerblood]

I agree with you IIYB regards not being too lovey dovey regards young players potential, but there is just something good about one or two Sheffield lads playing in a winning SUFC first team...... It would also be even better if we kept them a bit longer

Agree mate. I appreciate it's an issue that causes divisive attitudes. Personally, we do seem to adopt a less abrasive stance than many other clubs when it comes to selling our youngsters. The price we received for Maguire was always wrong in my view, but it didn't help that we ended up pleading for him to be taken off our hands. It should have brought a cloud of shameful amateurism upon our board of 'savvy' businessmen, but instead we trundled onto the next car-boot sale.

 

[albinonick]

Brooks was released by man city for being too small his talent wasnt in doubt he has grown maybe 4:5 inches in the last year,he needs a bit of time to fill out a bit and mature, we will then have a real player on our hands

Brooksy was excellent last night as he has been against forrest and huddersfield. The lads grown as well bout 5:10,

 

[larkymasher]

Agree mate. I appreciate it's an issue that causes divisive attitudes. Personally, we do seem to adopt a less abrasive stance than many other clubs when it comes to selling our youngsters. The price we received for Maguire was always wrong in my view, but it didn't help that we ended up pleading for him to be taken off our hands. It should have brought a cloud of shameful amateurism upon our board of 'savvy' businessmen, but instead we trundled onto the next car-boot sale.

I hope that if we get back to the Championship it proves financially stable enough to keep our youngsters instead of a fire sale at any given opportunity.
There is a bunch of lads now, Semple, Hallam, Slater, Graham who are very good and all travel to watch SUFC home and away when their youth games allow. They are supporters as well as players. Its a dream for them to play for their club, instead, their club uses them for a bit of financial short term gain.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I hope that if we get back to the Championship it proves financially stable enough to keep our youngsters instead of a fire sale at any given opportunity.
There is a bunch of lads now, Semple, Hallam, Slater, Graham who are very good and all travel to watch SUFC home and away when their youth games allow. They are supporters as well as players. Its a dream for them to play for their club, instead, their club uses them for a bit of financial short term gain.

There's very little in life, let alone football, that surprises me. Our recent track record isn't impressive, but there does appear to be a new, more self-interested attitude emanating from within the club. Clearly, Wilder's approach to doing what he feels is right for United is leaving it's mark, so power to his elbow for enforcing this throughout the club. There should be a clear connection between how young player's adapt and progress, and how the first team is doing. That's not always been the case. Hope we've now worked out this elementary jigsaw.

 

[BushBlade]

I hope that if we get back to the Championship it proves financially stable enough to keep our youngsters instead of a fire sale at any given opportunity.
There is a bunch of lads now, Semple, Hallam, Slater, Graham who are very good and all travel to watch SUFC home and away when their youth games allow. They are supporters as well as players. Its a dream for them to play for their club, instead, their club uses them for a bit of financial short term gain.

Tbf, once a club comes in and offers them £10k a week their dreams probably change a bit.

But I agree, we could certainly hang onto them for longer if we were in the championship and CW might be able to benefit from their development.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I agree with you IIYB regards not being too lovey dovey regards young players potential, but there is just something good about one or two Sheffield lads playing in a winning SUFC first team...... It would also be even better if we kept them a bit longer

You are a regular under 18 and 23 watcher Larky and gives some very good comments about our young players.Midway through last season we had a policy change Adkins mentioned it in an interview.
We released a number of regular 21s with the idea of pushing younger players through quicker so playing against opponents who were older and stronger,a policy that seems to be working.The players we released have not gone on to better things so the policy must be working.
It certainly is tough on players playing against older players,Would you suggest it has been a success and who are the players we have released too
early? as I said no one has made it so far with anyone else.
The hardest job for clubs is releasing young players who they think won't make it (tough on the player).
As you say we have a good bunch coming through ,playing against older players and being reletively successful,does that not say the new policy is a success.The hardest bit though is the step up to the 1st team

 

[larkymasher]

Tbf, once a club comes in and offers them £10k a week their dreams probably change a bit.

But I agree, we could certainly hang onto them for longer if we were in the championship and CW might be able to benefit from their development.

It is all about the player in my opinion. Harry hung about to gain his experience and is now flying high. Slew took the money. The two Kyles left early also and one has been more of a success than the other. Adams took the money. DCL took the money but if he had been a first team regular i think he would have stayed.
I dont know who was right and who was wrong, what does happen is that if SUFC get these players in the first team regularly they seem to hang around longer.
I think it all boils down to cashing in on the youngsters to fund getting out of this league. I am sure the higher up the pyramid we go the easier it is to keep our youngsters.

 

[larkymasher]

You are a regular under 18 and 23 watcher Larky and gives some very good comments about our young players.Midway through last season we had a policy change Adkins mentioned it in an interview.
We released a number of regular 21s with the idea of pushing younger players through quicker so playing against opponents who were older and stronger,a policy that seems to be working.The players we released have not gone on to better things so the policy must be working.
It certainly is tough on players playing against older players,Would you suggest it has been a success and who are the players we have released too
early? as I said no one has made it so far with anyone else.
The hardest job for clubs is releasing young players who they think won't make it (tough on the player).
As you say we have a good bunch coming through ,playing against older players and being reletively successful,does that not say the new policy is a success.The hardest bit though is the step up to the 1st team

Without doubt it has been a success. The down side is that the U23s results have been a little up and down.

For the likes of Slater, Hallam, Semple to play with first team fringe players against good pros from the championship and premier league is fantastic and will bring them all on quicker. It means the club can send them out on loan for a year and they still come back under twenty years old.

Then when the U23s need to play a very young side ( with no first team players involved) the like of Hallam, Slater, Semple have to be the experienced three which is great for their development...... even though they are no more than 18 years old.

 

[larkymasher]

It is all about the player in my opinion. Harry hung about to gain his experience and is now flying high. Slew took the money. The two Kyles left early also and one has been more of a success than the other. Adams took the money. DCL took the money but if he had been a first team regular i think he would have stayed.
I dont know who was right and who was wrong, what does happen is that if SUFC get these players in the first team regularly they seem to hang around longer.
I think it all boils down to cashing in on the youngsters to fund getting out of this league. I am sure the higher up the pyramid we go the easier it is to keep our youngsters.

I hope that made sense Bush......

 

[larkymasher]

The last thing is that our 18s and 23s are playing Championship and Premier League clubs who buy in players for these age groups from all over Europe. The standard of position they play against is very high.

 

[BushBlade]

The last thing is that our 18s and 23s are playing Championship and Premier League clubs who buy in players for these age groups from all over Europe. The standard of position they play against is very high.

Do you reckon switching to u23s has been beneficial then? I wasn't a fan of u21s, the games I've seen haven't been very physical, almost like a non contact sport. I'm not convinced it gave a good grounding for proper football. I think of players like Cofie, who did well with Man U's kids but turned nesh after someone put a reducer on him in one of our early games.

I've heard plenty of lower league managers saying they give trials to ex academy players who get released from the big clubs and many of them are soft as shit.

Has playing with the bigger boys made any difference to that?

 

[larkymasher]

Do you reckon switching to u23s has been beneficial then? I wasn't a fan of u21s, the games I've seen haven't been very physical, almost like a non contact sport. I'm not convinced it gave a good grounding for proper football. I think of players like Cofie, who did well with Man U's kids but turned nesh after someone put a reducer on him in one of our early games.

I've heard plenty of lower league managers saying they give trials to ex academy players who get released from the big clubs and many of them are soft as shit.

Has playing with the bigger boys made any difference to that?

I think it has made a difference yes. I have got to say that the way CW, Binnion etc set the team up it makes it far more physical. A lot of pressing , defenders getting close to attackers.
Take Stoke the other night. Young Semple and Graham played against a Belgian player who came on in the premiership last Saturday for the Stoke first team and another forward who has played 60 first team games at Barnsley, Shrewsbury and Bury scoring 24 goals. Both forwards were more experienced and 4 or 5 years older. Both United lads gave and got a few elbows in the face, a bit of push and shove but did not look out of place. A mistake by Graham and Ramsdale gave them a poor goal but overall that game is fantastic for their development.

My feeling is 12/18 months with the 23s is a good start, then if the club see a future for the player then Conference, L2, L1 loans to toughen up physically and play first team football week in week out. If after that they are still seen as good enough for us, then they join the first team set up.

Then we will have players ready for the first team squad at 19 years old with some experience of first team football.

I think at the moment the next ones to follow this path will be Semple and Hallam. After 12 months i think Slater and Graham will follow likewise.

Thats how i see it working just now Bush.

 

[larkymasher]

Based on what i said above, Brookes for me now comes under the category of needing to toughen up and play first team football ...... IMO

 

[Bladebabe]

We are obviously only playing 4 or 5 aside at U23's as the other players never get mentioned for their contribution. It would be nice if people commended others for the part they play during 90 minutes. Hopefully the favourites at this level do progress but as we all know it's very tough to get to the next level.

 

[BushBlade]

We are obviously only playing 4 or 5 aside at U23's as the other players never get mentioned for their contribution. It would be nice if people commended others for the part they play during 90 minutes. Hopefully the favourites at this level do progress but as we all know it's very tough to get to the next level.

I'm sure your lad's doing a great job. Good luck to him.

 

[Bladebabe]

I'm sure your lad's doing a great job. Good luck to him.

Nothing personal in my comment, he plays for a different club!

 

[Grappler]

larkymasher is Trani still playing on trial?

 

[larkymasher]

larkymasher is Trani still playing on trial?

Not seen him Grappler since Huddersfield game....

I think he would stop the pathway for Slater, Gilmoor so maybe they don't see enough in him over the potential of the younger lads

 

[Grappler]

Not seen him Grappler since Huddersfield game....

I think he would stop the pathway for Slater, Gilmoor so maybe they don't see enough in him over the potential of the younger lads

Cheers pal.

 

[larkymasher]

Nothing personal in my comment, he plays for a different club!

Your quite right Bladebabe, there are others contributing. The ones mostly mentioned are the younger lads who play week in week out at 23s. I agree there are u18s who play on occasion and first years who play on occasions also.
i guess when those lads play week in week out at 23s we will have a good idea how they are progressing.

As for favorites, none of the younger 23s players let the side down. Its ok being a favorite but they would certainly get found out if they were not good enough.
If there are players you like and not praised enough on the site, then get on and push their cause and tell us all about them.

Its all good pal

 

[larkymasher]

We are obviously only playing 4 or 5 aside at U23's as the other players never get mentioned for their contribution. It would be nice if people commended others for the part they play during 90 minutes. Hopefully the favourites at this level do progress but as we all know it's very tough to get to the next level.

The last point regarding favourites is that every single manager from under 7s football to international level have their preferred players. It is part and parcel of football. If you have a lad at an academy at any age at any club the coaches will have favorites.

When someone says the word FAVOURITES it usually means they have a son who they feel doesn't get the same opportunities as others. I fully understand that, but this is the world of football. I had a son who was let go by a local club and in my opinion he was as good as the rest. Quickly i realised that Pro Clubs only have their own interests at heart and if we put our boys up for academy football we will only be left frustrated in the end or at least most of us will feel like this.

For your sanity Bladebabe i hope your lad is a FAVOURITE at his given club.

 

[BushBlade]

The last point regarding favourites is that every single manager from under 7s football to international level have their preferred players. It is part and parcel of football. If you have a lad at an academy at any age at any club the coaches will have favorites.

When someone says the word FAVOURITES it usually means they have a son who they feel doesn't get the same opportunities as others. I fully understand that, but this is the world of football. I had a son who was let go by a local club and in my opinion he was as good as the rest. Quickly i realised that Pro Clubs only have their own interests at heart and if we put our boys up for academy football we will only be left frustrated in the end or at least most of us will feel like this.

For your sanity Bladebabe i hope your lad is a FAVOURITE at his given club.

But parents always overestimate their kids a bit, it's impossible to be objective.

Is your lad still playing? Did he get another club? It must be heartbreaking. A mate of mine was released when we were kids but that was partly his own fault so I wasn't that sympathetic but I did feel sorry for him. He packed it in which was a shame as he was very good. If he'd had the determination to succeed I suspect he'd have gone far. But there's thousands of those around.

 

[Ihadadream]

The amount of scouts and agents that watch our 23's play tells you how much some of our younger players are rated by clubs higher up the ladder, the other week at Stocksbridge there were over 30 representing different clubs watching the 23's game. With that brings another problem if we remain in this league then the likes of Ramsdale and Brooks will go and further their development at a premier league clubs U23's as what is Ramsdale learning sitting on the bench week in week out he needs to play George would be better off on the bench and Rammers in the 23's. Hallam, Slater, Gilmore, Graham and Greaves are all on the radar of big Premier league teams already so Promotion is a must if we are to hang onto them, if we do that then the future really does look bright

 

[larkymasher]

But parents always overestimate their kids a bit, it's impossible to be objective.

Is your lad still playing? Did he get another club? It must be heartbreaking. A mate of mine was released when we were kids but that was partly his own fault so I wasn't that sympathetic but I did feel sorry for him. He packed it in which was a shame as he was very good. If he'd had the determination to succeed I suspect he'd have gone far. But there's thousands of those around.

Lost interest and plays with his pals in Sunday league. He is happy, so that's good enough for me.

 

[larkymasher]

The amount of scouts and agents that watch our 23's play tells you how much some of our younger players are rated by clubs higher up the ladder, the other week at Stocksbridge there were over 30 representing different clubs watching the 23's game. With that brings another problem if we remain in this league then the likes of Ramsdale and Brooks will go and further their development at a premier league clubs U23's as what is Ramsdale learning sitting on the bench week in week out he needs to play George would be better off on the bench and Rammers in the 23's. Hallam, Slater, Gilmore, Graham and Greaves are all on the radar of big Premier league teams already so Promotion is a must if we are to hang onto them, if we do that then the future really does look bright

I could not agree more pal. Its important we are at least a championship club, it gives us a chance of holding on to the talent we undoubtedly have.

My worry is that we don't give these lads time to develop and we let them go too early. All the names you mention plus Cummings and Semple are all Blades through and through. They have been here a long time. I hope the club sees what you and i see pal....

Regards Ramsdale you are spot on once again.

 

[Grappler]

Lost interest and plays with his pals in Sunday league. He is happy, so that's good enough for me.

At the end of the day, as parents, that is all that matters pal

 

[Pinchy]

We are obviously only playing 4 or 5 aside at U23's as the other players never get mentioned for their contribution. It would be nice if people commended others for the part they play during 90 minutes. Hopefully the favourites at this level do progress but as we all know it's very tough to get to the next level.

Realistically, football fans' interest in younger players is bound to be centred on those who look capable of making the first team. Tough though it may be, there is little or no interest in the also-rans. As I never tire of repeating, it's professional football, not the X-Factor.

I'm interested in young players to the extent that they can or might benefit my football club. Any benefit to the individuals concerned is welcome, but coincidental.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Enjoyed watching that on BP. Good performance by our players, lining up like this:

Ramsdale

Graham Semple Kelly
Bennett ----------------------- Mallon
Slater Gilmour
Brooks
Smith Hallam

​

Back three, usually solid against opponents with some pedigree. Graham and Semple both strong, but needs to work on their speed. Kelly is a decent all rounder, did fine at left centre back, although I don't think he's played there too often.

Wing backs were ok. Bennett more involved of the two, decent pace, which he should try to use more. Generally this team has got great ability, but they need some players to show more pace, directness and running on the ball - bit like the first team really.

Slater and Gilmour did very well in midfield, both composed on the ball and good passers. They also worked hard and there were examples of them doing great defensive work in front of the defence, something which the first team has struggled with of late. Brooks does stand out with some exceptional skill on the ball and I also thought that he may be useful for the first team. What probably prevents Wilder from doing that is that he does play with some risk and this could set up the opposition for some dangerous breaks. But, as has been said, if given a purely attacking role we could use someone with a bit of flair and dribbling ability. In any case I hope we get to see him for the first team at some point, rather than selling him when interest in him becomes even bigger.

Hallam took his goal well and also has great skill on the ball. I thought he did very well on his first team debut, so there's good potential in him, but he also disappeared for spells. Our youth team do go short a lot of the times, which can make it a bit difficult for strikers to get involved. This was the first time I saw Tyler Smith, although he did catch my eye in the highlights video of the U18s recent game, watch his run and shot for our second goal here, followed by nodding in our third goal:



Smith is very quick, but has skill to match it. Against Stoke he worked really hard at closing down, ran the channels and was constantly on the move. I've thought our academy has produced a lot og neat, skilful players, but the quicker or physical types have often lacked the technical ability. Smith is small and light weight, but looked to have most other things. He looks suited for both striker and winger positions. He tired in the second half, but if not MoM, he was the biggest encouragement for me.