Keepers

[finlaytheblade]

Been to watch 21s this afternoon and seen a display from a keeper which will take some beating,
Aaron Ramsdale watched him a number of times this season and I would say he's as good a prospect we have had for a long time (that's not forgeting G Long who is doing really well after a period of indifference ).
Watched them all going back to Tom Mcallister, Steve Convoy and others ( Hodgy was at his best when I started going regular ).This lad was unbeatable today he is a tremendous shot stopper and clears his lines well when punching the ball.,got a good accurate kick on him too.
Really young team out today 10 under 18 on the pitch towards the end,Bolton shaded the game but we got the goals with our keeper getting man of the match.Bolton had a much more experienced team out all contracted professionals and at times we struggled,but our keeper!! You have to see the saves to
appreciate how good they were.

 

[Bladesman]

Adkins aims to get more of these players eventually into the first team one day.

Good to see our youngsters doing well and hopefully they will get their chance.

 

[wizadry]

Here's the report, mate from the official site which seems to back your OP up.

Goals from Jake Wright and Shea Gordon helped United's U21s to a deserved victory over Bolton Wanderers at Bramall Lane on Tuesday afternoon.


The goals came early in each half, but United were indebted to several fine saves from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as the Blades extended their unbeaten run in the Professional Development League to 16 matches.


In an end-to-end start it was the visitors who had the first chance as Cvetko headed over from a Lussey corner, at the other end, Kennedy headed wide for the Blades from Brooks's inviting set-piece.


In the 11th minute the hosts took the lead with a fine sweeping move that began deep in their own half. Gilmour, Charlesworth and Brooks exchanged passes on the right before the latter's sweeping cross sent Brown clear down the left, his near post cross was then converted by the onrushing WRIGHT who got across his mark to volley home.


Ten minutes later the advantage should have been doubled, but having combined with Hall, Kimarni Smith was denied by Campbell in the Wanderers goal and for the remainder of the half it was the visitors doing all the attacking.


But Ramsdale was in fine form, firstly he produced a strong one handed save to his left to deny Newell and from the resulting corner Thomas headed inches wide. United's goalkeeper then denied Newell again, before standing tall to block from the advancing Thomas.


As half-time approached, Wanderers hit the post twice in quick succession, firstly through captain Finney, before Newell was denied by the post from Spooner's cross.


United were quickly out of the blocks in the second-half and in the 53rd minute got a decisive second goal, as GORDON succeeded where Hall and Wright had failed in getting a clean shot on goal, which gave Campbell no chance.


The Trotters to their credit continued to press forward and Ramsdale was again at his best to beat away Walker's powerful effort, before saving a Phillips header from Walker's inswinging free-kick on the right.


The Blades controlled the game better thereafter without creating too many goalscoring opportunities, although substitute Litchfield headed narrowly wide at the near post from an excellent Charlesworth cross from the right.


In the end though, the home side got another win and Ramsdale rightly so took the applause from the crowd as he left the field.


Blades: Ramsdale, Charlesworth, Brown, Gilmour, Kennedy (Adebowale 88), Semple, Brooks, Gordon, Wright (T. Smith 82), Hall (Litchfield 61) K. Smith.
Unused: Eastwood, Hallam.

 

[TJB.]

Michelle Keegan.
Jorgie Porter.
Pixie Lott.

Oh you mean GOALkeepers! With you now

Jokes aside, sounds like we have yet another good prospect coming through. Hope he's as you say he is, fella.

 

[Lane Ender]

Don't forget about George Willis

 

[UnitedBlade]

Sounds good.

Why not promote him to the bench for a game or two before the end of the season. I know he's unlikely to play but it's useful experience. Howard is on his way out.

In fact, when it's clear we won't make 6th place, give him a game.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Don't forget about George Willis

The trouble is, where does he realistically sit following this season? We have Long, still a youngster, with already 100 first team appearances, while Willis two years younger has none. If there's talent already getting good reviews in the U21s, and we maintain our path-to-the-first-team approach, shouldn't Ramsdale if he impresses be 3rd choice behind Long and (ideally) a more experienced keeper we sign? All three of Long, Howard and Willis's contracts are up this summer.

I guess an alternative question is do we need an experienced keeper, or should we have Long and Willis as the two for next year, given Long's progression (and relative experience as a number 1)? We can only have so many young keepers, and frankly I'm only including Willis in the argument based on others' views on his ability. I personally think it would be foolish to not have an experienced keeper on the books, as there's still a worry in the back of my mind that Long could hit a confidence lull at some point.

 

[Jostein's Bandage]

No point having experience if he's not much good. Howard is a waste of money, if we aren't getting in somebody who is clearly better than Long we may as well have one of the kids as back up. Can always find a loan or a free agent duffer if Long gets injured.

 

[finlaytheblade]

No point having experience if he's not much good. Howard is a waste of money, if we aren't getting in somebody who is clearly better than Long we may as well have one of the kids as back up. Can always find a loan or a free agent duffer if Long gets injured.

 

[Treeton Blade]

A seasoned observer has told me Aaron Ramsdale is the best keeper to come through the ranks since Hodgy, praise indeed.

 

[finlaytheblade]

No point having experience if he's not much good. Howard is a waste of money, if we aren't getting in somebody who is clearly better than Long we may as well have one of the kids as back up. Can always find a loan or a free agent duffer if Long gets injured.

There's no doubt
Ramsdale will push Long for the shirt next season from what I have seen

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Been to watch 21s this afternoon and seen a display from a keeper which will take some beating,
Aaron Ramsdale watched him a number of times this season and I would say he's as good a prospect we have had for a long time (that's not forgeting G Long who is doing really well after a period of indifference ).
Watched them all going back to Tom Mcallister, Steve Convoy and others ( Hodgy was at his best when I started going regular ).This lad was unbeatable today he is a tremendous shot stopper and clears his lines well when punching the ball.,got a good accurate kick on him too.
Really young team out today 10 under 18 on the pitch towards the end,Bolton shaded the game but we got the goals with our keeper getting man of the match.Bolton had a much more experienced team out all contracted professionals and at times we struggled,but our keeper!! You have to see the saves to
appreciate how good they were.

What sort of size is the lad Ramsdale? Does he have the frame of a modern day ‘keeper?


What did you make of Callum Semple’s performance? I seem to remember him being tipped for big things at a very young age (about 11 or 12 I think when I read an article about him).


Were there any others apart from Ramsdale who looked particularly exciting?


I wonder why no De Girolamo? Thought he’d been playing and scoring for the U21s lately?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Don't forget about George Willis

Had his loan extended at Matlock. I have serious doubts as to whether he’ll make it with us. He’s not very big and doesn’t seem as far along as George Long was at his age. Eastwood was tipped as a prospect but has suffered a bad injury I believe.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

No point having experience if he's not much good. Howard is a waste of money, if we aren't getting in somebody who is clearly better than Long we may as well have one of the kids as back up. Can always find a loan or a free agent duffer if Long gets injured.

But the emergency loan window is abolished after this season. Or does it still exist for ‘keepers?


It’s tempting to save funds by releasing Howard and Willis and having Ramsdale as back up to Long but if Long got injured and we were stuck with an 18 year old, it could be disastrous.

 

[Silent Blade]

But the emergency loan window is abolished after this season. Or does it still exist for ‘keepers?


.

Yes

 

[wizadry]

But the emergency loan window is abolished after this season. Or does it still exist for ‘keepers?


It’s tempting to save funds by releasing Howard and Willis and having Ramsdale as back up to Long but if Long got injured and we were stuck with an 18 year old, it could be disastrous.

It will still exist for GK's next season, 1DW.

 

[wizadry]

Yes

 

[SwissBlade]

Had his loan extended at Matlock. I have serious doubts as to whether he’ll make it with us. He’s not very big and doesn’t seem as far along as George Long was at his age. Eastwood was tipped as a prospect but has suffered a bad injury I believe.

Willis is developing quietly by the sounds of it, Matlock certainly seem happy to have him as they've extended again. He's close enough to home for the academy guys to pop along and see him play as well.

Lets see next season, could we have Long and Willis fighting for No1 Slot?

I'd imagine that Ramsdale will follow a similar route to Willis.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Willis is developing quietly by the sounds of it, Matlock certainly seem happy to have him as they've extended again. He's close enough to home for the academy guys to pop along and see him play as well.

Lets see next season, could we have Long and Willis fighting for No1 Slot?

I'd imagine that Ramsdale will follow a similar route to Willis.

Possibly I just get the impression Ramsdale is getting better reviews than Willis did at his age and that Long was also further on at that age. If he is falling behind those two then it seems unlikely he'll break into our team. Plus, as I say, I think he's quite small for a 'keeper which doesn't help.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Possibly I just get the impression Ramsdale is getting better reviews than Willis did at his age and that Long was also further on at that age. If he is falling behind those two then it seems unlikely he'll break into our team. Plus, as I say, I think he's quite small for a 'keeper which doesn't help.

Willis is a really good shot stopper
but in the modern game his height will always let him down,which is a
shame.
Ramsdale has just been called up for the England under 18 s

 

[Lane Ender]

Willis is developing quietly by the sounds of it, Matlock certainly seem happy to have him as they've extended again. He's close enough to home for the academy guys to pop along and see him play as well.

Lets see next season, could we have Long and Willis fighting for No1 Slot?

I'd imagine that Ramsdale will follow a similar route to Willis.

Thats the way to bring young players Long was too young to be thrown in when he was.
Get them out to the National Leagues to learn their trade where they can mix it with seasoned pros without the pressure.
Long is making a decent keeper Willis will go the same way.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Willis is a really good shot stopper
but in the modern game his height will always let him down,which is a
shame.
Ramsdale has just been called up for the England under 18 s

Just checked on the England squad
Ramsdale is the only player not attached to a premiership club
From what I have seen clubs will be
knocking on the door good job we have now got him under contract.That won't stop them but he
Will be involved with the first team
next season,hopefully that will keep him at the Lane, regular football is what he needs at his age. I will be very surprised if he's not pushing to start as our no 1. I rate him that highly and it seems ime not the only one.

 

[Lane Ender]

Just checked on the England squad
Ramsdale is the only player not attached to a premiership club
From what I have seen clubs will be
knocking on the door good job we have now got him under contract.That won't stop them but he
Will be involved with the first team
next season,hopefully that will keep him at the Lane, regular football is what he needs at his age. I will be very surprised if he's not pushing to start as our no 1. I rate him that highly and it seems ime not the only one.

Too young for L1

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Just checked on the England squad
Ramsdale is the only player not attached to a premiership club
From what I have seen clubs will be
knocking on the door good job we have now got him under contract.That won't stop them but he
Will be involved with the first team
next season,hopefully that will keep him at the Lane, regular football is what he needs at his age. I will be very surprised if he's not pushing to start as our no 1. I rate him that highly and it seems ime not the only one.

Sounds promising but can he do it in the arena?


If he shows endeavor and is honest and hard working, he might have chance of helping us win a football match.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Don't be havin' nightmares.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Here's the report, mate from the official site which seems to back your OP up.

Goals from Jake Wright and Shea Gordon helped United's U21s to a deserved victory over Bolton Wanderers at Bramall Lane on Tuesday afternoon.


The goals came early in each half, but United were indebted to several fine saves from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as the Blades extended their unbeaten run in the Professional Development League to 16 matches.


In an end-to-end start it was the visitors who had the first chance as Cvetko headed over from a Lussey corner, at the other end, Kennedy headed wide for the Blades from Brooks's inviting set-piece.


In the 11th minute the hosts took the lead with a fine sweeping move that began deep in their own half. Gilmour, Charlesworth and Brooks exchanged passes on the right before the latter's sweeping cross sent Brown clear down the left, his near post cross was then converted by the onrushing WRIGHT who got across his mark to volley home.


Ten minutes later the advantage should have been doubled, but having combined with Hall, Kimarni Smith was denied by Campbell in the Wanderers goal and for the remainder of the half it was the visitors doing all the attacking.


But Ramsdale was in fine form, firstly he produced a strong one handed save to his left to deny Newell and from the resulting corner Thomas headed inches wide. United's goalkeeper then denied Newell again, before standing tall to block from the advancing Thomas.


As half-time approached, Wanderers hit the post twice in quick succession, firstly through captain Finney, before Newell was denied by the post from Spooner's cross.


United were quickly out of the blocks in the second-half and in the 53rd minute got a decisive second goal, as GORDON succeeded where Hall and Wright had failed in getting a clean shot on goal, which gave Campbell no chance.


The Trotters to their credit continued to press forward and Ramsdale was again at his best to beat away Walker's powerful effort, before saving a Phillips header from Walker's inswinging free-kick on the right.


The Blades controlled the game better thereafter without creating too many goalscoring opportunities, although substitute Litchfield headed narrowly wide at the near post from an excellent Charlesworth cross from the right.


In the end though, the home side got another win and Ramsdale rightly so took the applause from the crowd as he left the field.


Blades: Ramsdale, Charlesworth, Brown, Gilmour, Kennedy (Adebowale 88), Semple, Brooks, Gordon, Wright (T. Smith 82), Hall (Litchfield 61) K. Smith.
Unused: Eastwood, Hallam.

How is Kennedy playing?

 

[mosbolad]

Don't be havin' nightmares.

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Shocking when it comes to crosses.

Suarez' teeth?

 

[wizadry]

How is Kennedy playing?

He's getting game time recently but I don't really know how he's been performing on the whole, getting game time is a start but I feel his injuries have done him in and will make sure he doesn't get a good go in the professional game.

 

[finlaytheblade]

He's getting game time recently but I don't really know how he's been performing on the whole, getting game time is a start but I feel his injuries have done him in and will make sure he doesn't get a good go in the professional game.

He took some kind of knock near full time and walked off and down the tunnel looking very dejected