Best Young Prospect?

[Slim Man]

Just food for thought for next season, of all the youngsters we've seen who do you think is going to be the one most likely to become a first teamer next season?

I imagine they'll all get a fair crack of the whip, and there'll be plenty of positions up for grabs.
I'm just going to go for the ones we have seen some of this season (in Reed and McGahey's case last season too).

Louis Reed - There's definitely a player in there and in a midfield three he looks a very good player as he has the protection he needs but not quite there yet in a 4-4-2, he doesn't look comfortable. A lot of potential, and size doesn't matter (ooooh matron) as much as people would like you to believe. But all decent, small ball playing midfielders in the modern day game play in a three, off the top of my head Leon Britton, Joe Allen. There's no shame in it. Still got a couple of years to grow yet but he needs to start kicking on.

Harrison McGahey - A decent centre half, potential in abundance but tends to be a bit thick at times. Which you can expect from a younger player. Looked good whenever we've seen him this year but still obviously has limiations, not the quickest, but a decent header of the ball and positionally good.

DCL - looks like a lost little boy at times but there's clearly something about him to have been such an integral part to a team that has pissed the league below for the first 6 months of the season. Why on earth we didn't let him stay is beyond me. Need's another loan out next year in my opinion.

Ben Whiteman - Athletic, good passer, decent build, bit of height, bite and versatile. Everything I like to see in a midfielder. Would be at home in a 4-4-2 in my opinion just as well as the 4-3-3 of 3-5-2. I like him a lot, looking forward to see him grow throughout next season.

Kieran Wallace - Looked like being our first choice left back for the season at one point the way he was player but apparently a bad injury put paid to that so it remains to be seen how he returns. A good player, a good left foot and no slouch. Can defend, can attack. If he's fit let him and JMac battle it out for left back next year.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Just food for thought for next season, of all the youngsters we've seen who do you think is going to be the one most likely to become a first teamer next season?

I imagine they'll all get a fair crack of the whip, and there'll be plenty of positions up for grabs.
I'm just going to go for the ones we have seen some of this season (in Reed and McGahey's case last season too).

Louis Reed - There's definitely a player in there and in a midfield three he looks a very good player as he has the protection he needs but not quite there yet in a 4-4-2, he doesn't look comfortable. A lot of potential, and size doesn't matter (ooooh matron) as much as people would like you to believe. But all decent, small ball playing midfielders in the modern day game play in a three, off the top of my head Leon Britton, Joe Allen. There's no shame in it. Still got a couple of years to grow yet but he needs to start kicking on.

Harrison McGahey - A decent centre half, potential in abundance but tends to be a bit thick at times. Which you can expect from a younger player. Looked good whenever we've seen him this year but still obviously has limiations, not the quickest, but a decent header of the ball and positionally good.

DCL - looks like a lost little boy at times but there's clearly something about him to have been such an integral part to a team that has pissed the league below for the first 6 months of the season. Why on earth we didn't let him stay is beyond me. Need's another loan out next year in my opinion.

Ben Whiteman - Athletic, good passer, decent build, bit of height, bite and versatile. Everything I like to see in a midfielder. Would be at home in a 4-4-2 in my opinion just as well as the 4-3-3 of 3-5-2. I like him a lot, looking forward to see him grow throughout next season.

Kieran Wallace - Looked like being our first choice left back for the season at one point the way he was player but apparently a bad injury put paid to that so it remains to be seen how he returns. A good player, a good left foot and no slouch. Can defend, can attack. If he's fit let him and JMac battle it out for left back next year.

Not one will hold a regular first team slot next season due to not being good enough .

Maybe impact players off the bench as part of the pathway PR. Let's not kid ourselves.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

I voted Whiteman as he's had a taster and is strong enough to compete. It all depends on the summer now - I remember Wayne Quinn making himself a first teamer in a single pre-season.

 

[BushBlade]

Not one will hold a regular first team slot next season due to not being good enough .

Maybe impact players off the bench as part of the pathway PR. Let's not kid ourselves.

UTB

And cover for injuries/suspensions, JPT and maybe early rounds of the league cup. Which IMO is how it should be, unless one of the kids plays so well he gets a run.

I'd be happy with a core of 15/6 core first team players with the kids filling the gaps. If there's a position where we haven't got a decent prospect, there's loads of kids released from the big clubs' academies every year so find one who might be decent and give him a small contract.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

And cover for injuries/suspensions, JPT and maybe early rounds of the league cup. Which IMO is how it should be, unless one of the kids plays so well he gets a run.

I'd be happy with a core of 15/6 core first team players with the kids filling the gaps. If there's a position where we haven't got a decent prospect, there's loads of kids released from the big clubs' academies every year so find one who might be decent and give him a small contract.

Agree . The reason I say the young players are not good enough , is not down to talent. , its having the mental strength , consistency to go through the rigours of a very competitive season , where promotion yet again is be all , and end all.

Having kids fill in the gaps is the way to go , and perhaps Adkins is the right manager to manage this situation . Having a list of young players is better than a list of none , so I suppose we are in a win win situation .

We also have the enigma Diego on the books , which again it would be great if he came up trumps next season.

It's also getting the blend right on the pitch with young mixed with experienced professionals . It's all about learning curves , which even us fans are going through .

UTB

 

[Slim Man]

I agree with what people are saying about them not seeming good enough for a first team berth yet, but with the squad shrinking they get better, more intense training and more game time, as well as a full pre season with the first team they're only going to get better. I can certainly see Whiteman and Wallace starting a number of games next season, they have the strength and bite to go with the potential. If Reed can get back on track too that'd be great.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I don't think any will be regular starters next season but I think you might have named the majority of our bench there.

Sharp and Adams will be the first choice front 2. McEveley's looking more and more like he might stay to keep Wallace out and I expect at least one of Edgar and Baptiste to stay and we might bring in one other CB to keep McGahey out (if he gets new deal).

CM seems less certain. Hammond will be one but then Coutts is in and out, will Flynn be here? Reed or Whiteman might push through and Whiteman seems more Adkins' type so I voted for him

 

[CarlMcBlade]

All of them I hope.

 

[Ricky]

I think DCL has something extra about him and is on the verge of developing physically and making the breakthrough.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Kieran Wallace.

Just get McEveley signed on up a new (one year?) contract & that's the left-sided centre-back position sorted, with those two battling it out. Wallace has got a similar capacity for those surging runs that are characteristic of McEv. (This is assuming we play 3-5-2 next season, which I sincerely hope we do.)

Not 100% sure about Harrison, but there have been signs of improvement & of him lookng more comfortable in his skin on a football pitch, so him being back up for the right-sided & central position seems as if it might be a go-er.

Ben Whiteman's progress next season is a tantalising prospect too.

 

[ShefRedandWhite]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say DCL.
Granted he hasn't looked awe inspiring, but he's shown a few flashes to show he's on the road to becoming a good footballer.
Not to mention he won more headers in his first two appearances than Sammon has all season

 

[Bladesman]

Ben Whiteman because he has come into the first team and not looked out of place at all. He is not scared to make a tackle either and seems he can be called on to fill other positions if needs be.

 

[Slim Man]

I think DCL has something extra about him and is on the verge of developing physically and making the breakthrough.

I hope so, there's something there definitely.

 

[Bladesman]

I hope so, there's something there definitely.

Game time is the only way our youngsters are going to get better whether that be here or out on loan. Ideally their game time needs to be with us so they can fit into the system we want to play.

 

[Barney]

Apart from Whiteman who hasn't really been given a fair shot as of yet, none of them look good enough to be able to make it. If they were they would have shown a lot more than they have already.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I think DCL has something extra about him and is on the verge of developing physically and making the breakthrough.

I agree he has a decent chance of making it. But I think Sharp and Adams will be our first choice pairing still next season (If Adams isn’t sold) meaning young Dom will have to wait in the wings a while longer.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Not one will hold a regular first team slot next season due to not being good enough .

Maybe impact players off the bench as part of the pathway PR. Let's not kid ourselves.

UTB

It's hard to say as 4 or 5 months from now is a long time for a young player.I remember Harry Haslam once saying it's always interesting when young players come back after the short summer break.,Some come back as men ,while others are still boys ,so I think we have to see who grows up quickest

 

[Barney]

It's hard to say as 4 or 5 months from now is a long time for a young player.I remember Harry Haslam once saying it's always interesting when young players come back after the short summer break.,Some come back as men ,while others are still boys ,so I think we have to see who grows up quickest

Not as much a case of growing up. A lot more of a case of actually having the necessary ability.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Not as much a case of growing up. A lot more of a case of actually having the necessary ability.

You just don't understand do ya Barney

 

[Chali 2na]

Che Adams, I think people forget he's still a young player. Seems to be a lot of unnecessary expectations on him due to his good form at the start of the season: despite him playing in the non-league last year.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Maybe not next season, but the one who might make it is Aaron Ramsdale.

EDIT

If you want an outfield player, Jake Eastwood.

 

[biggey blade]

I think we have a lot of young up coming players and wouldn't really be to disheartened if any of there's was to fiture in the starting line up. But I think if the clear out we are expecting is to come then I can't see many of these been in the starting 11 and think they will be used as subs or possibly go back out on loan.

K wallace started off the season very good and bar from a injury that has ruled him out I would have suggested he would have probably fit in this formation at LWB very nicely.

Mcgahey has shown in glimpses that he can be a good defender and can be very strong and good in the air but still makes a couple of silly mistakes every now and again and personally I would like to see him go out on loan some where in our league and see if he can develop as a player and make it into the first team squad.

Reed is a very good player and can pick a good pass out and can also defend very well and seems to play well in a 3 midfield with support around him. I am sure he will keep developing as a player and would like to see him on the bench next season and making appearances off the bench when we need to change the midfield up.

Ben whiteman has shown when played that he is a a very good prospect and hopefully he will continue to impress he is quite a big build for his age and can hold his own. He is also very versatile and can play numerous positions. I would like to see him getting more game time for the rest of the season so we can see what he can do and then get a Good pre season before we decide on what he is capable of. For me we just haven't seen enough of this lad to make a decision on where he should be next season. But he got my vote as he has been very good when he has been played.

As for DCL depending on the signings we make if any going into next season I think he would be good to come off the bench or possibly be loaned out again if we can sign another good striker. As we have sharp done adams all before him in my eyes so If we was to sign another good striker I would send this lad out on loan again he has shown what he is capable of in a very good Northampton side that has easily walked promotion and DCL was a big part of this for them for the first half of the season so he definitely has some thing about him.