Academy Prospects

[idleurchin]

Doe anyone on here follow the development squads?

If so, are there any players to keep an eye for as potential first teamers in the near(ish) future?

 

[I should coco]

If only three was a retired Blade who liked a beer and watched the kids at grounds all over the country......

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Doe anyone on here follow the development squads?

If so, are there any players to keep an eye for as potential first teamers in the near(ish) future?

Hi mate
I watch a lot of Academy/Development football. But, I'm afraid you'll have to have my "standard briefing". I'm good at watching games & knowing what's going on & who is playing well. And, I'm a football fan, so I naturally have my personal favourites. But, I'm hopeless at "prospects" & "potential". What I do know is that any kid who can break into a Premier League side, particularly one which might have a fight on their hands for survival will have to be EXCEPTIONAL, RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED, DOUBLE EXCEPTIONAL, WITH CHOCCY TOPPING. So, simply, no, sorry, we ain't got one of those. Tyler Smith & Regan Slater are the most advanced of our Academy Youngsters. Both have spent time out on loan to League clubs. Stephen Mallon has just played in Toulon for Ireland U21 & Marcus Dewhurst has played at England U18. Mallon has spent time on loan in the A League (Australia). So has Sam Graham. Rhys Norrington-Davies has spent time on loan to non league. David Parkhouse is on loan in Ireland. All of those are miles, miles, set the sat Nav, how far is it, are we there yet, a long way off our First Team squad. Further down, I like watching Oli Greaves & Harrison Neal play the game. But, they're very much finding their way. It's Maths - very difficult to break into a Premier League side. Best I've got....

 

[BigBed]

No David Brooks then.

 

[Oldun]

No David Brooks then.

Dunno, best ask Man City.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

No David Brooks then.

Well. That's partly my point. When I first saw Brooks in a United Shirt, I thought - whaaaaat? Where have they got this 'un from? Four stone dry, three stone 11 wet through. His legs were so thin, you couldn't see them, he looked like just shorts n boots. Knocked off the ball at EVERY challenge. See you later kid.....
Of course, Nick Cox & Trav & the others could see what I couldn't - they could see through his legs & all the way to POTENTIAL. One of the kids I'm watching might be Brooks, in a few years....
Kids develop & at different speeds

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Dunno, best ask Man City.

Of course, we have other lads in the Academy who have previously been at Man City (& Man Utd)

 

[WalkelyFan]

I don't watch anything like the development football as Phil. But I do see a bit and I have watched all those he has mentioned on a number of occasions. I agree with his summing up and share his lack of knowledge (!!). (I make an exception with Brookes I because I thought that he looked fantastic if lightweight). But e.g. I never saw anything except heading ability with Calvert -Lewin. He didn't seem especially fast for example. I am nterested in the development of Sam Graham who has been out in Australia. He was at Oldham and struggled although he rarely did when faced with people of his own age. Regan Slater needs a year in a Championship club in midfield. David Parkhouse and Sam might be a tip - possibly Tyler Smith. I was surprised Ben Whiteman was let go. But the cast-offs from Manure and Man City will probably he best we get for a while.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Three detached, five semis and eight townhouses.

 

[BigBed]

Dunno, best ask Man City.

Why, he stepped up from there years ago?

 

[BigBed]

I don't watch anything like the development football as Phil. But I do see a bit and I have watched all those he has mentioned on a number of occasions. I agree with his summing up and share his lack of knowledge (!!). (I make an exception with Brookes I because I thought that he looked fantastic if lightweight). But e.g. I never saw anything except heading ability with Calvert -Lewin. He didn't seem especially fast for example. I am nterested in the development of Sam Graham who has been out in Australia. He was at Oldham and struggled although he rarely did when faced with people of his own age. Regan Slater needs a year in a Championship club in midfield. David Parkhouse and Sam might be a tip - possibly Tyler Smith. I was surprised Ben Whiteman was let go. But the cast-offs from Manure and Man City will probably he best we get for a while.

How do you see Bryan then, because he seems to be a non-entity?

 

[I should coco]

Three detached, five semis and eight townhouses.

Isn't the correct answer "a big block of flats and Chinese supermarket, to appeal to the foreign students"?

They might even think that the old 'Beiruit' tag, sounds oddly romantic......

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Of course, it is worth reminding everyone that Hassan Ayari, the "Little Messi", with 10 million YouTube views when he was six is with the Academy at Shirecliffe. I'm a bit sketchy about posting YouTube links, so hope this works

 

[Tunstall Fred]

The boy Greaves has something about him,and RND has a chance in my humble opinion.

13 posts in, and nobody has mentioned the Italian boy wonder,how times they a change.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

The above highlights the importance of reinvesting in the academy. We should try and reinforce the good work being done and spread our net wider for talent using the PL money.

The next Walker, maguire, jags doesn’t seem close so I’d rather spend £5m on the infrastructure than on an average championship player

 

[finlaytheblade]

Well. That's partly my point. When I first saw Brooks in a United Shirt, I thought - whaaaaat? Where have they got this 'un from? Four stone dry, three stone 11 wet through. His legs were so thin, you couldn't see them, he looked like just shorts n boots. Knocked off the ball at EVERY challenge. See you later kid.....
Of course, Nick Cox & Trav & the others could see what I couldn't - they could see through his legs & all the way to POTENTIAL. One of the kids I'm watching might be Brooks, in a few years....
Kids develop & at different speeds

Yes I saw a bit of Brooksi when he came in ,the talent was obvious to see but you like city ( and me ) felt he needed to grow bigger and stronger the club deserves credit for the patience shown.He was a late developer ! makes you wonder how many talented young lads give up the game when released by clubs ,Brookes although very boyish as a 16,17 year old had the drive and beleaf in himself to keep going it shows in his game as the confidence he shows is remarkable.
Can we find some more like that ,they are there it's just unearthing them that's the hard bit.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

The boy Greaves has something about him,and RND has a chance in my humble opinion.

13 posts in, and nobody has mentioned the Italian boy wonder,how times they a change.

Sorry. I know I'm going to sound contrary. But, again, Diego makes my case in point. No drama, the best times watching a Utd Development XI (for me) was when Diego was playing. At the time, in real time, I didn't give a fuck about his potential. Putting opponents on their arses, running them ragged, scoring for fun. He made it enjoyable. It was just mesmerising. Exactly what I signed up for. I'm no good at judging potential. But, I'm World Class at - whooooah, that was superb, where's the nearest Pub for a serious debrief. Great days....
(See also Jake Wright Jnr......)

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Sorry. I know I'm going to sound contrary. But, again, Diego makes my case in point. No drama, the best times watching a Utd Development XI (for me) was when Diego was playing. At the time, in real time, I didn't give a fuck about his potential. Putting opponents on their arses, running them ragged, scoring for fun. He made it enjoyable. It was just mesmerising. Exactly what I signed up for. I'm no good at judging potential. But, I'm World Class at - whooooah, that was superb, where's the nearest Pub for a serious debrief. Great days....
(See also Jake Wright Jnr......)

It will always be a case of what could have been for the lad, had he not suffered that serious injury.

And so much is about luck and timing,being in the right place at the right time, Brooks had that, in the fact Wilder came along, just at the right time of his development, Diego who knows what he may have achieved had he got the chance to stay injury free and a manager who believed in him, because no doubt about it, the boy was a talent.

 

[Silent Blade]

Sorry. I know I'm going to sound contrary. But, again, Diego makes my case in point. No drama, the best times watching a Utd Development XI (for me) was when Diego was playing. At the time, in real time, I didn't give a fuck about his potential. Putting opponents on their arses, running them ragged, scoring for fun. He made it enjoyable. It was just mesmerising. Exactly what I signed up for. I'm no good at judging potential. But, I'm World Class at - whooooah, that was superb, where's the nearest Pub for a serious debrief. Great days....
(See also Jake Wright Jnr......)

I watched Academy matches from 2001 to 2004. I thought Ian Ross was going to be a star!

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

How do you see Bryan then, because he seems to be a non-entity?

Although not primarily a Development Player, I saw him a few times for the U23s as he was rehabbing from injury. He looks calm & accomplished on the ball. Routinely taking responsibility in defence. Good at attacking set pieces. Glides effortlessly around the park. Snazzy positional play meant he didn't have to bust a gut.

 

[I should coco]

I'm a bit sketchy about posting YouTube links, so hope this works

All I could see was loads of empty cans of beer and hear some snoring in the background.....

 

[BigBed]

Although not primarily a Development Player, I saw him a few times for the U23s as he was rehabbing from injury. He looks calm & accomplished on the ball. Routinely taking responsibility in defence. Good at attacking set pieces. Glides effortlessly around the park. Snazzy positional play meant he didn't have to bust a gut.

But still a way off the first team?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

But still a way off the first team?

With Cranie's deal expiring. And Ben Heneghan & Jake Wright on the Transfer List. O'Connell, Egan, Basham, Stearman & any "makeshifts" are in front of Kean for a CB spot. Currently, he's one injury or suspension or sale away from the first team bench. Is that what you're asking?

 

[WalkelyFan]

How do you see Bryan then, because he seems to be a non-entity?

Needs a lot more time. Poor decision maker.