New seniors

[Bergen Blade]

John Pemberton mentions six academy players (including Long) are joining the first team squad next season.

Are they:

• George Long - GK
• Aaron Barry - DC
• Terry Kennedy - DC
• Elliott Whitehouse - CM
• Callum McFadzean - LM
• Joe Ironside - ST

?

 

[JohnDenver]

Predictable names barring Aaron Barry. Not heard much about him.

 

[Balham]

Signed a pro deal in March: clicky

Aaron Barry has signed his first professional contract with the Blades.​

The versatile Irish defender penned a 12-month contract on Monday under the watchful eye of Academy boss John Pemberton, although the Club have the option to increase to deal by another year.​

Aaron featured heavily in United's FA Youth Cup success last season, which culminated in playing at Old Trafford in the second-leg of the final.​

The 19-year-old, who joined the Blades from Arklow Town, has thanked Pemberton for the role he has played in Aaron's development and now the defender, equally at home at centre-half or left-back, is looking forward to working under first-team coach Chris Morgan.​

He said: "John Pemberton has had a very big influence on my career and has helped me greatly.​

"I am now looking forward to working with Morgs, he is experienced and working alongside him can only improve my game further.​

"To sign this pro contract at Sheffield United is a dream come true. As a young lad growing up in Ireland I dreamt of this happening so I am already looking forward to next season."​

​

 

[Bladesman]

Hopefully we have a good batch of lads coming through.

Glad to see more of youngsters finally seeing more of the first team.

 

[Kenilworth]

Oh shit!
This tells me that we expect at least another 3-4 players to be leaving from those left after the released list announced.

Long is still not good enough yet for me - seen him enough times in the flesh to judge - I was hoping he woudl go out on loan somewhere for a season to get some much needed experience.

The only one that has impressed me from that list is Whitehouse (cant remember seeign Barry play at all though) - but he will need to be a lot stronger for first team action in Div 3 to compete

 

[Balham]

Assuming Bergen is correct, that leaves us with:

GK (2): Howard, Long
DL (2): Jean-Francois, Williams
DR (1): Lowton
DC (5): Collins, Maguire, Morgan*, Kennedy, Barry
ML (2): Quinn, McFadzean
MR (1): Flynn [+ Williamson?]
MC (5): Doyle, Montgomery, Whitehouse, McAllister, Harriot [+ McDonald?]
AM (1): Tonne
FW (4): Porter, Cresswell, Philliskirk Ironside [+Beavon?]

A squad of 22. If the players in brackets sign up it's 25 but you can pretty much write off Morgan. I'd be amazed if Montgomery and Quinn are still here at the start of the season, leaving us potentially with 19 first team players, 6 of whom are 18 or younger.

I think you're right with 3-4 leaving Kenilworth but I'd expect those to be Montgomery, Quinn, Morgan and possibly one other; I can then see us signing at least 6 players over the summer.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

John Pemberton mentions six academy players (including Long) are joining the first team squad next season.

Are they:

• George Long - GK
• Aaron Barry - DC
• Terry Kennedy - DC
• Elliott Whitehouse - CM
• Callum McFadzean - LM
• Joe Ironside - ST

?

Some of them will have to grow up a bit though.

I went to both legs of the FA Youth Cup Final and at times, it was very much like men versus boys, or second year 6th form versus lower 4th!

 

[Zanzibar]

Some of them will have to grow up a bit though.

I went to both legs of the FA Youth Cup Final and at times, it was very much like men versus boys, or second year 6th form versus lower 4th!

I went to the matches of Blackpool, Millwall, Leicester, both Villa and Manchester matches.
George Long was exemplary in almost all of them.
Yes Manchester away was a bit like men against boys but Manchester recruit from all over the solar system and that match was the only time Utd were overwhelmed as were Liverpool the previous round at Anfield and OT.
Amongst his peers/ age group he was excellent.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I went to the matches of Blackpool, Millwall, Leicester, both Villa and Manchester matches.
George Long was exemplary in almost all of them.
Yes Manchester away was a bit like men against boys but Manchester recruit from all over the solar system and that match was the only time Utd were overwhelmed as were Liverpool the previous round at Anfield and OT.
Amongst his peers/ age group he was excellent.

I must admit they were the only Youth team matches I saw

 

[JohnDenver]

Random semi-interesting factoid... Paul Pogba, the best player by a country mile in that Man U youth team, is apparently off to Juventus.

 

[Wards]

I have always been impressed with Kennedy whenever I've seen him but needs to bulk up if he's to remain a centre half. Fully expect Whitehouse and McFadzean to challenge.

 

[DazBlade88]

People know I've watched a hell of a lot of under 18 games over the last 3 years or so and these are the ones that definitely stand out for me out of the older lads.

Barry and Kennedy are a bit on the short side for centre halves in my opinion so it'll be interesting to see if they get a chance. With our limited options out wide I'd be very surprised if McFazdean didn't get a chance on the left hand side and Whitehouse is a box to box midfielder, definitely not afraid to get into the dirty areas for a goal either.

Some of them do need to bulk up, and they are young but the only way they can prove themselves is if they're given a chance to impress in the first team. The re-introduction of 7 subs will help these lads no end.

George Long isn't ready for the first team yet, but keepers always take more time to get their place because it's such an important position and let's face it, there's nobody to cover for your errors back there. The way these players learn is by making mistakes.

 

[Balham]

DazBlade88 being short never bothered Fabio Cannavaro - at centre half they can get away with being smaller if their reading of the game is good and they've got a decent leap on them: does that ring true for Barry or Kennedy?

I've also seen Barry described as a left back as well as a centre back so maybe he'll start off there?

 

[JohnDenver]

DazBlade88 being short never bothered Fabio Cannavaro - at centre half they can get away with being smaller if their reading of the game is good and they've got a decent leap on them: does that ring true for Barry or Kennedy?

Indeedy. Centrebacks can be shorter if their positioning is good enough and they're strong. I'll never forget Paul McGrath winning every single header against Deano at BDTBL in the early '90s (and that was a lot of headers under Bassett). McGrath was four inches shorter.

I'd definitely play Kennedy alongside a biggun though. Even Jags used to get bullied in his early years, so we need to show patience.

 

[jezzablade]

• George Long - GK yes (If needed or cups etc.)
• Aaron Barry - DC yes (When we can)
• Terry Kennedy - DC not yet ready (had too many injuries last year)
• Elliott Whitehouse - CM a big yes (huge hopes for Elliot)
• Callum McFadzean - LM also a big yes (huge hopes for Callum)
• Joe Ironside - ST yes (here and there)

 

[DazBlade88]

DazBlade88 being short never bothered Fabio Cannavaro - at centre half they can get away with being smaller if their reading of the game is good and they've got a decent leap on them: does that ring true for Barry or Kennedy?

I've also seen Barry described as a left back as well as a centre back so maybe he'll start off there?

Indeedy. Centrebacks can be shorter if their positioning is good enough and they're strong. I'll never forget Paul McGrath winning every single header against Deano at BDTBL in the early '90s (and that was a lot of headers under Bassett). McGrath was four inches shorter.

I'd definitely play Kennedy alongside a biggun though. Even Jags used to get bullied in his early years, so we need to show patience.

They do read the game well - don't get me wrong, I wasn't writing them off because of the height but I thought it would be more of an issue in the league we're in with some of the bruisers we have in this league when we come up against a side like Tranmere or Preston. It's all about picking the right partner like you both said and recognising the opposition because you don't want to ruin their confidence too early.

He can play left back but he's not blessed with much pace so it would be a stop-gap for him rather than a real opportunity for him as a centre back

 

[broomhillblade]

Indeedy. Centrebacks can be shorter if their positioning is good enough and they're strong. I'll never forget Paul McGrath winning every single header against Deano at BDTBL in the early '90s (and that was a lot of headers under Bassett). McGrath was four inches shorter.

... which brings us, neatly, to Joe Shaw.

Only 5 ft 8 inches but rarely beaten.

 

[JohnDenver]

... which brings us, neatly, to Joe Shaw.

Only 5 ft 8 inches but rarely beaten.

He looks bloody massive in the carpark.

 

[super_pig]

we need to get away from this 'big lads at' back.. big 'un up front.. little un's as fullback' bollox asap

 

[georgebernardshaw]

... which brings us, neatly, to Joe Shaw.

Only 5 ft 8 inches but rarely beaten.

Now, you're talking about a real player - a class act on and off the pitch.

 

[Ollessendro]

Anyone can cherry pick, but if a centre half is less than 6ft they will struggle. There are exceptions to the rule, but the quality short centre halves that exist/existed can be counted on one hand. That is especially the case in this league when you have some real bruisers and naff all protection from referees. Earlier in the season I remember getting frustrated that teams were kicking us off the pitch and refs hust doing nowt about it. I worry a young team might get lumps kicked out of them. That said, I have hope for some of these young lads and the perhaps the right mixture of experience and youth could work.

 

[JohnDenver]

The cliche says a little good'un will always lose out to a big good'un.

 

[Kentblade]

The best centre back ever to put on a Blades shirt at the lane.
UTB

 

[Guesty]

Anyone can cherry pick, but if a centre half is less than 6ft they will struggle. There are exceptions to the rule, but the quality short centre halves that exist/existed can be counted on one hand. That is especially the case in this league when you have some real bruisers and naff all protection from referees. Earlier in the season I remember getting frustrated that teams were kicking us off the pitch and refs hust doing nowt about it. I worry a young team might get lumps kicked out of them. That said, I have hope for some of these young lads and the perhaps the right mixture of experience and youth could work.

Really? Because I can think of two who have captain World Cup winning teams. Two the the five or less good short Centre Halves won the World Cup as Captain? That's some record.

 

[shorehamview]

......Two the the five or less good short Centre Halves won the World Cup as Captain.....

Is this code? Do we win a prize if we crack it?

 

[Princess Annes Dog]

The main problem the young uns have is a lack of natural strength. A grown man of 12 stone is a lot more solid than a 12 stone teenager, and that's why they need a bit of nurse maiding. It's where a good manager and mature team mates come to the fore. Play them sensibly, let them gain some experience and grow a bit and you just never know. I'm more excited hearing that we might give these lads a go as opposed to signing some fat lump like Jon Parkin.

Since we were in the Prem we've eroded at a rate of knots, we're beginning to remind me of the old 3rd and 4th division mix of has beens, never has beens and never will be's, and that's not good. If we lose some of the current squad then so be it, we only have 3 decent players that we'd miss anyway (Lowton, Maguire and McDonald) so for me it's time for a complete clean sweep. Thank goodness the Monty era looks to be coming to an end, and all that it encompasses. We look like we're trying to play football so let's get some footballers in, and if they're young and a bit raw then again, they'll get stronger and they'll learn.

It's time for the manager and the coaches to earn their corn, I know plenty on here keep telling laymen like me that I know nothing because I've never coached at professional level well so what, the blokes at the Lane earning a small fortune have all the badges in the world but they keep fucking up so come on chaps, get the mix right for once and let's make the future a bit more rosy.

 

[sheffielder]

I see Matty Harriott is still on the profiles, however not mentioned as one of the new senior players. Isn't he now too old for the Academy or was he already made a pro before the end of the season?

 

[Bergen Blade]

I see Matty Harriott is still on the profiles, however not mentioned as one of the new senior players. Isn't he now too old for the Academy or was he already made a pro before the end of the season?

Harriott was a new senior last season.

 

[Guesty]

Is this code? Do we win a prize if we crack it?

What? It's perfectly straight forward. Olle said "but the quality short centre halves that exist/existed can be counted on one hand", indicating that there are five or less. Of those five or less, two have won the World Cup as Captain (Daniel Passarella 1978, Fabio Cannavaro 2006). Ergo, either 40% of all good, short Centre Halves have won the World Cup, or Olle's talking bollocks.

 

[Ollessendro]

Really? Because I can think of two who have captain World Cup winning teams. Two the the five or less good short Centre Halves won the World Cup as Captain? That's some record.

Like I said, cherry picking. Cannavaro and Beckenbauer I am guessing. Thought the Kaiser is hardly short at 5ft 11 and half inches. On one hand might be an exagernation, but name me 10 world class centre halves that have played the game. McGrath is 6ft by the way, so you cannot have him.