Calvert-Lewin

[Woodwardfan]

My job takes me around the country and I watch a variety of games. I have seen Lewin at Stalybridge and Northampton.
He was on fire at Stalybridge and was scoring regularly when that came to Cloughs attention he brought him back, unfortunately. The Northampton scenario was a little different, Chris Wilder worked wonders with him and he did well. Because united wanted a24hr. Call back clause it wouldn't work for Wilder, understandable.

Saturday was the first time united have played well in the last 5 or 6 games, you might say that is only because Oldham didn't! At Bury Lewin was the best player on the pitch , listen to what Keith Edwards said on R.S.and he was subbed. ?

The biggest problem we have is not Lewin, Reed or Adams it is the team mentality and to play specifically as a team and to be fully inclusive of every player.

Reed and Lewin are intelligent players ( that stood out a mile on Saturday as soon as they tuned in to each other ) who can produce results and need to be played,
What they need is support and encouragement and good management.

What a post. I note and fully concur with your mention of Reed and Lewin as intelligent footballers and unfortunately we're unable to say Adams as well, quite right.

Adkins has let Reed down this season in my view and he has invested far too much playing time in Adams who is not coming on as a team player anything like enough. However I must say that I don't think Adams is a front striker in a one or a two up front. Baxter seemed to be able to pick him out now and again but he doesn't seem to be on any other player's wave length. Sharp is mentoring him throughout each game and at last on Saturday there were a couple of one-twos but Adams missed the script on three glorious occasions and Sharp was left shaking his head to himself. I prefer to see Adams running at defences from a bit deeper with the ball already under control and a bit more space.

Lewin will also suffer though from the lack of creativity in the final third from midfield. That final ball into the area, the 'assist ball' isn't in our team's locker now Baxter has gone.

 

[Woodwardfan]

What a post. I note and fully concur with your mention of Reed and Lewin as intelligent footballers and unfortunately we're unable to say Adams as well, quite right.

Adkins has let Reed down this season in my view and he has invested far too much playing time in Adams who is not coming on as a team player anything like enough. However I must say that I don't think Adams is a front striker in a one or a two up front. Baxter seemed to be able to pick him out now and again but he doesn't seem to be on any other player's wave length. Sharp is mentoring him throughout each game and at last on Saturday there were a couple of one-twos but Adams missed the script on three glorious occasions and Sharp was left shaking his head to himself. I prefer to see Adams running at defences from a bit deeper with the ball already under control and a bit more space.

Lewin will also suffer though from the lack of creativity in the final third from midfield. That final ball into the area, the 'assist ball' isn't in our team's locker now Baxter has gone.

Sorry I should have mentioned Sharp can play 'assist balls'.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

I really don't see what all the hype was about with this lad. I've seen him play 4 or 5 times now for the first team and he's done very little to impress.

I first saw him when he came on as a sub at the back end of last season and he looked atrocious, but I put it down to the fact that he'd been thrown in at the deep end with no first team experience in a hostile atmosphere and surrounded by players bereft of confidence. Since then he's had 6 months of first team experience in a relatively successful loan spell and I was excited to see the difference in him on his return. But he just looks so lost on the pitch, lacks power, anticipation and positional sense.

Perhaps I'm being too harsh on the lad. Maybe it's more down to the players around him and we may see an improvement from him next season. I hope I'm wrong but from what I've seen so far he's looking like being another Joe Ironside rather than a Harry Maguire.

Don't think you are being harsh at all, just realistic.

You'll no doubts get the "he's only 11" argument for sure, but for me he's simply not got it. Painful as that is for me to say about any of the youngsters (trust me), but I think he's another one destined for the likes of Scunny, Oldham, York, etc and come the summer, he's one of the thanks, but no thanks for me.

Personally, I'm not seeing it in young Reid either if I'm honest. That said, there's plenty on here that think he's potentially 'mint', so for me (as I could certainly be wrong), he's probably a 'keeper' - who I'd loan out for the season. Keep an eye on him and see how he goes? If he doesn't pull up any trees, then we haven't lost anything. If he develops, we have him back.

Appreciate it's impossibly hard, but it's a long time since Shirecliffe produced a Jaggers, Walker, Naughton, Maguire, et al, and Calvert - Lewin doesn't come close........ (and BTW, yes, they all were looking the real article/s at 19).

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

*Might try to post a video when I get back.

Here it is fwiw.

 

[ernie]

I wont get involved in whether I think he will make it as he is still young and not had enough chance yet ,but if Edwards did say that about Bury ,he was taking the piss ,believe me it was one of the worst performances I can recall a Utd player ever having ,he hardly touched it and the one he did have were awful. I suspect Edwards was having a go at the team in general because we were so bad apart from Long ,either that or he was taking the mick out of DCL.

Keith Edwards, as I know him doesnt take the piss................he is direct and honest enough to say it exactly as it is, thats why they dont like him so much down at the Lane..................... Ask him yourself.

But; we are all wanting United to come good, so I think we need to get behind the team and sing as well as Oldham did on Saturday next Saturday at Millwall.

FWIW......the vid shows Lewin taking the ball from Done and simply over playing it !
Think this post is about played out now.

 

[wizadry]

I wont get involved in whether I think he will make it as he is still young and not had enough chance yet ,but if Edwards did say that about Bury ,he was taking the piss ,believe me it was one of the worst performances I can recall a Utd player ever having ,he hardly touched it and the one he did have were awful. I suspect Edwards was having a go at the team in general because we were so bad apart from Long ,either that or he was taking the mick out of DCL.

I didn't go to Bury so i listened to that match and Edwards basically said he was shite just like everyone else and didn't hardly touch the ball before he came off so where Sprite got that from only he knows.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Keith Edwards, as I know him doesnt take the piss................he is direct and honest enough to say it exactly as it is, thats why they dont like him so much down at the Lane..................... Ask him yourself.

But; we are all wanting United to come good, so I think we need to get behind the team and sing as well as Oldham did on Saturday next Saturday at Millwall.

FWIW......the vid shows Lewin taking the ball from Done and simply over playing it !
Think this post is about played out now.

Edwards is a dinosaur and a miserable caveman.

He doesn't say it as it is - he says it as he sees it.

This is only a strength if he has any insight - he doesn't...apart from forward play: the one benefit he could have is passing on advice to players like DCL on, say, movement and positioning.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Edwards is a dinosaur and a miserable caveman.

He doesn't say it as it is - he says it as he sees it.

This is only a strength if he has any insight - he doesn't...apart from forward play: the one benefit he could have is passing on advice to players like DCL on, say, movement and positioning.

All these critics of DCL obviously not followed his career he has played in numerous positions in the academy and only at some point last season he started playing upfront (when he went on loan to Stalybridge ),it's fairly new to him as an out and out striker so he's still learning the ropes give him a bit
of slack.

 

[GRENO]

Whenever i've seen the U21s, DCL has always played in midfield and played well.
I for one will think he'll come good.

I'm always astounded by how quick some of our fans are to dismiss our young players after a few cameo appearances.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

All these critics of DCL obviously not followed his career he has played in numerous positions in the academy and only at some point last season he started playing upfront (when he went on loan to Stalybridge ),it's fairly new to him as an out and out striker so he's still learning the ropes give him a bit
of slack.

Changing position does not excuse him simply going through the motions and shirking any kind of challenge. We all want him to do well but after several games he looks well short of what is required.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Changing position does not excuse him simply going through the motions and shirking any kind of challenge. We all want him to do well but after several games he looks well short of what is required.

Do you think a manager under pressure would accept a young player going through the motions? of course not!! He's obviously reasonably happy with what he's giving ,but ime sure he would want more and will be encouraging all players to give him more.
Surely the young lads deserve a bit of space to learn and improve there game, everyone was crying out for young blood ,we now have them in the squad
how s about giving them some support instead of getting on there backs some of us are never satisfied.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Changing position does not excuse him simply going through the motions and shirking any kind of challenge. We all want him to do well but after several games he looks well short of what is required.

Lewin came on when we were well placed in the game v Oldham. Which player in our squad should have played for the last 25 minutes or so last Saturday and would have done better or rather would have benefited more from the experience? So what exactly " what is/ was required" last Saturday?

The unused subs were Howard, Sammon, McGahey, Kelly.

 

[wizadry]

I for one am so glad he's being used instead of Sammon, this has to be to the benefit of the club moving forwards which can only be a good thing.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

He doesn't say it as it is - he says it as he sees it.

...................and as for you Kev?????

 

[Sheff de party]

I think every footballer should obviously dominate at school level and with their mates, then there's a transitional period where they play some pro games at a level that's really difficult and it's all harder than they anticipated. This is his moment I think but he'll get used to it.

Che has had his as well, oddly just after he scored twice against Spurs. He probably thought it would be easy this football lark. I imagine he's realised now.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I wonder if Adkins is persisting with DCL to take the pressure off. If you feel like you've got one or two games to impress then it's easy to either get nervous, or try too hard. If you give an implicit - or even explicit - vote of confidence by letting him have a run in the team then he might relax and show what he's capable of.

There was one time Satdi where I thought he had a golden opportunity: the ball was played into him in the box with his back to goal, from memory the defender backed off and he had a great chance to turn and either shoot or pass but instead the ball just drifted aimlessly out of play for a goal kick.*

I don't think this can be lack of ability as any half decent amateur could've made something of it.

I wonder if the next step for him is psychological.

A goal might work wonders.




*Might try to post a video when I get back.

I remember the incident. Done had given and gone but DCL just didn’t seem to have the awareness and went the other way and ended up running it out. Hopefully his decision making will improve with experience.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I wont get involved in whether I think he will make it as he is still young and not had enough chance yet ,but if Edwards did say that about Bury ,he was taking the piss ,believe me it was one of the worst performances I can recall a Utd player ever having ,he hardly touched it and the one he did have were awful. I suspect Edwards was having a go at the team in general because we were so bad apart from Long ,either that or he was taking the mick out of DCL.

I seem to recall what he was actually saying was he shouldn’t have been taken off because at least he has some pace and might do something if there was any service. He said he’d done nowt but it wasn’t his fault as the service had been terrible. He wanted us to be more attacking with DCL and Adams flanking Sharp.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Don't think you are being harsh at all, just realistic.

You'll no doubts get the "he's only 11" argument for sure, but for me he's simply not got it. Painful as that is for me to say about any of the youngsters (trust me), but I think he's another one destined for the likes of Scunny, Oldham, York, etc and come the summer, he's one of the thanks, but no thanks for me.

Personally, I'm not seeing it in young Reid either if I'm honest. That said, there's plenty on here that think he's potentially 'mint', so for me (as I could certainly be wrong), he's probably a 'keeper' - who I'd loan out for the season. Keep an eye on him and see how he goes? If he doesn't pull up any trees, then we haven't lost anything. If he develops, we have him back.

Appreciate it's impossibly hard, but it's a long time since Shirecliffe produced a Jaggers, Walker, Naughton, Maguire, et al, and Calvert - Lewin doesn't come close........ (and BTW, yes, they all were looking the real article/s at 19).

They were all physically developed players at a young age. Especially Maguire and Walker. Adams is similar. Reed and DCL have shown signs of being good footballers but both are built like children. If they develop further physically, they could still make it but they don’t have the raw power or pace that the likes of Maguire, Walker or Adams had from a very young age. But let’s not forget Matt Lowton who didn’t break into our team til about the age of 20-21. Again, more of a thinking footballer than pure athlete. Not saying DCL will or won’t make it at this stage. I just think it’s too early to tell. Plenty wanted to throw Long on the scrap heap last summer. Now he’s an established first team player.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I will be really surprised if this kid actually makes it !
Could do with at least a season long loan playing regular competitive football to prove himself !!

 

[Kenilworth]

The kid has aerial ability so we play it to his feet in tight areas with a bruiser of a CB up his Jaxie

If we got any decent crosses in on a match day we might see him stick one in the onion bag.

No width, no crosses of any quality - it's no wonder he isn't getting any decent chances

 

[longinthe toothblade]

They were all physically developed players at a young age. Especially Maguire and Walker. Adams is similar. Reed and DCL have shown signs of being good footballers but both are built like children. If they develop further physically, they could still make it but they don’t have the raw power or pace that the likes of Maguire, Walker or Adams had from a very young age. But let’s not forget Matt Lowton who didn’t break into our team til about the age of 20-21. Again, more of a thinking footballer than pure athlete. Not saying DCL will or won’t make it at this stage. I just think it’s too early to tell. Plenty wanted to throw Long on the scrap heap last summer. Now he’s an established first team player.

I'm not writing them off, least not young Reid anyways. However, he's 'not at the game' yet and next season, he's going to offer us much the same as this - which isn't enough for what we want from a first teamer (that's if we really do want to get out of this league. There's simply better alternatives around. That said, as I said earlier, I'd probably keep him (just in case) but for me he'd be out on a full seasons loan as soon as this one finishes.

DCL, 'nope', not for me I'm afraid. It's another one of our graduates destined for the likes of Scunny, York, Oldham? Obviously, we've lost Wilder and North'ants as a nursery club as they will be in the same division next year. Deep f**king joy.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I'm not writing them off, least not young Reid anyways. However, he's 'not at the game' yet and next season, he's going to offer us much the same as this - which isn't enough for what we want from a first teamer (that's if we really do want to get out of this league. There's simply better alternatives around. That said, as I said earlier, I'd probably keep him (just in case) but for me he'd be out on a full seasons loan as soon as this one finishes.

DCL, 'nope', not for me I'm afraid. It's another one of our graduates destined for the likes of Scunny, York, Oldham? Obviously, we've lost Wilder and North'ants as a nursery club as they will be in the same division next year. Deep f**king joy.

I think both are worth having as squad players playing odd games, coming on as subs and developing on the training ground. The fact they’ll be on so little allows us to pour more funds into the first team whereas if we persist with experienced pros as our squad players paying them 3-4k per week we’ll never afford a first team that can mount a serious challenge. At the same time, they may improve and become better than those experienced squad players could ever hope to be. By experienced squad players I mean the McEveleys and Flynns of this world that some are now saying we should keep.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The kid has aerial ability so we play it to his feet in tight areas with a bruiser of a CB up his Jaxie

If we got any decent crosses in on a match day we might see him stick one in the onion bag.

No width, no crosses of any quality - it's no wonder he isn't getting any decent chances

He nodded a few in for Northampton this season.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I just think it’s too early to tell. Plenty wanted to throw Long on the scrap heap last summer. Now he’s an established first team player.

The parallels with Long is a good one - despite the obvious fact that he's a goalkeeper and therefore different.

All I'd say is one very big error of judgement Adkins made was playing McFadzean at left back in the first game of the season away at Gillingham, it really was painful to watch.

We could storm up Division 1 next season (after Reed, DCL, Whiteman, and Kelly all scored in the play-off final) with a squad of mobile, creative, intelligent, dynamic Academy graduates next season - and I'd still be nervous any time a new young player started based on that one decision.

Traumatic it was.

 

[Bladesince59]

Hey give him a break. He will be fine.

 

[ernie]

It is a good job the members on here are not throwing critiques at the Arsenal squad for the chances they missed tonight.
I am pleased to say that there are a lot on here going to be eating their words, as those that really know there stuff ( I mean really know) are full of praise for this lads capabilities and skill...............just be patient, try a little tenderness...........

 

[longinthe toothblade]

I think both are worth having as squad players playing odd games, coming on as subs and developing on the training ground. The fact they’ll be on so little allows us to pour more funds into the first team whereas if we persist with experienced pros as our squad players paying them 3-4k per week we’ll never afford a first team that can mount a serious challenge. At the same time, they may improve and become better than those experienced squad players could ever hope to be. By experienced squad players I mean the McEveleys and Flynns of this world that some are now saying we should keep.

Not me.

McEveley yes, but for me Flynns a bye bye in the Summer.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

The parallels with Long is a good one - despite the obvious fact that he's a goalkeeper and therefore different.

All I'd say is one very big error of judgement Adkins made was playing McFadzean at left back in the first game of the season away at Gillingham, it really was painful to watch.

We could storm up Division 1 next season (after Reed, DCL, Whiteman, and Kelly all scored in the play-off final) with a squad of mobile, creative, intelligent, dynamic Academy graduates next season - and I'd still be nervous any time a new young player started based on that one decision.

Traumatic it was.

I missed that game but it’s always a risk chucking kids in, particularly in defensive positions. Less risky when there’s nowt to play for or the game is already won etc.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Not me.

McEveley yes, but for me Flynns a bye bye in the Summer.

Everyone has their own take on each player but for me, any player out of contract who isn’t


a) amongst the best in the division in his position or

b) young with potential to improve


In addition, I wouldn’t keep anyone with an atrocious injury record even if they fulfill one of the above criteria.


needs to be moved on. Therefore only Long and Whiteman (if he is out of contract, some have said he is) make the retained list for me. Howard, Harris, McEveley, Kennedy, Flynn, McFadzean, Wallace, Flo, JCR can all go. Sammon too. Not sure about Edgar, Baptiste and Hammond.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Everyone has their own take on each player but for me, any player out of contract who isn’t


a) amongst the best in the division in his position or

b) young with potential to improve


In addition, I wouldn’t keep anyone with an atrocious injury record even if they fulfill one of the above criteria.


needs to be moved on. Therefore only Long and Whiteman (if he is out of contract, some have said he is) make the retained list for me. Howard, Harris, McEveley, Kennedy, Flynn, McFadzean, Wallace, Flo, JCR can all go. Sammon too. Not sure about Edgar, Baptiste and Hammond.

Yup, agree with most of that although McE and Flo would be 'keepers' for me.