U23s v Stoke City

[Woodwardfan]

Good thread this.

With all the attention that players attract from other clubs it is vital we encourage our young lads by showing them examples of lads who are getting first team experience.

Even if it's only on the bench and a bit of playing time when a game is won, there has to be encouragement.

With the new signings there will be even fewer days when our kids get match day experience.

From memory only Reed (twice), Whiteman (4?) Brooks (1?) have had league match day experience on the bench. Not sure if a single one of them has got on the pitch this season!

Come on Wilder: Matter of principle: 7 subs is a lot - Ramsdale plus a.n.other lad on the bench please. 'Pathway for Youth' !!

 

[larkymasher]

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.

Great watch Bergin,
You and i are clearly encouraged by the younger players, so its interesting that the same game i watched as you gave me slightly differing opinions on a couple of performances.

Briefly i thought Ramsdale was clearly rusty from not playing games, Graham had a shaky first 10 minutes and after settled down, Semple was as solid as ever, he is never less than 7/10. Pace wise i honestly very rarely see them out down over the top. Yes, if a speedy forward is direct at them its a struggle but that is the same as any centre back.They both remind me of Maguire in how they run and defend. Kelly was very solid as always, Bennett i thought was nervous, has raw pace but doesn't use it enough, Mallon worked hard, Now this is where we differ, i thought Slater and Gilmoor were poor first half, caught in possession and let the Stoke midfield charge forward with no defensive cover. Gilmoor went backwards to much, Slater for me was just off the pace, not his usual self. That said, i think the pair of them are great. Hallam has great technical ability but needs to toughen up, Brookes i rate, needs first team football somewhere.... My MOM was Tyler Smith. He needs to get stronger but has an attitude about him that i like. I have raved about him before and it was great to see him play so well.

I think also the name of the league tells us what it is all about ' u23 Developement League' It is designed to develop players. Many forget that and focus on the result.

 

[larkymasher]

Good thread this.

With all the attention that players attract from other clubs it is vital we encourage our young lads by showing them examples of lads who are getting first team experience.

Even if it's only on the bench and a bit of playing time when a game is won, there has to be encouragement.

With the new signings there will be even fewer days when our kids get match day experience.

From memory only Reed (twice), Whiteman (4?) Brooks (1?) have had league match day experience on the bench. Not sure if a single one of them has got on the pitch this season!

Come on Wilder: Matter of principle: 7 subs is a lot - Ramsdale plus a.n.other lad on the bench please. 'Pathway for Youth' !!

Go easy Woodward...... Pinchy will be after you. As he correctly points out, youth is great but none of them have a god given right to be on the bench until CW says so.
With seven subs though i do agree that one of the spots could be used for developing these lads further. I do however fully understand why it doesn't happen

 

[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.

We all know someone who, if the applied themselves correctly could have made it in the game Bush. A lad i know was fantastic at 15. When i saw him at 18 years old he was 19 stone, smoked 30 a day and was pissed 6 nights a week....... He was a happy sole though.