Our Academy Won the Derby

[McGrath]

Not parachute payments.

4 young players were involved in that game. 1 captained and 2 came on at half time and changed it. Another , only 18, came on in a derby and bullied their defenders. Brilliant

So, hats off to the club, the people who run the academy and (maybe an unpopular thought), those who had the foresight to set it up. Also hats off to Wilder and co for trusting the likes of Peck and Seriki to do a job at job at half time and One to come on and stretch experienced centre halves.

 

[loyalblade95]

It's a big risk to put so much on your academy players in a match like that, but they all delivered, would have been nice to see Brooks for a bit though.

Biggest game any of them will play this season, that was Blaster's first game against the pigs and he would know exactly how much it means as a boyhood blade.

Looking through both squads, only Bannan (not sure about Marvin Johnson) has played in the steel city derby before today.

 

[JohnDenver]

Not parachute payments.

4 young players were involved in that game. 1 captained and 2 came on at half time and changed it. Another , only 18, came on in a derby and bullied their defenders. Brilliant

So, hats off to the club, the people who run the academy and (maybe an unpopular thought), those who had the foresight to set it up. Also hats off to Wilder and co for trusting the likes of Peck and Seriki to do a job at job at half time and One to come on and stretch experienced centre halves.

I was looking for someone posting this.

Cooper 25
Gilchrist 20
Anel 25
Soutar 26
Burrows 22
Souza 25
Arblaster 20
Hamer 27
JRS 22
O’Hare 26
Campbell 24

Peck 20
Seriki 22
One 18
McCallum 24

The only player over 30 to get on the pitch was Jack Robinson for a cameo.

We looked desperately tight first half. Burrows began the game looking like he’d completely forgotten the game plan. It was always possible this would happen.

But equally I thought another kid in Seriki deserves huge credit for coming on and changing the pattern of the game. No fear, just a willingness to drive forward and push them back. Peck was decent too.

And this from Wilder who used to be so keen on experience ….

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Lots of academy players in the side but so many of the players more established or brought in are young too. It's a side that can only improve.

 

[Constantly Optimistic...]

Seriki, no fear, love him. Just goes for it every time he gets the ball. Changed the impetus of the game totally.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Thought Seriki was excellent when he came on. Exactly what we needed down that side & really helped push us forwards.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Seriki was great when he came on and I was surprised that Gilchrist had gone off as I thought he was solid and one of our best players in the first half. I was worried about Peck coming on after Bristol City, but the lad did well.

 

[Bladesman]

To be fair our youngsters have turned Wednesday over a few times at U21 level.

So a derby game for them probably doesn't worry them too much.

 

[SGBlade]

Not a criticism of Gilchrist because he’s been excellent this year and is clearly a right-sided defender not an advanced full back. But feels like it’s worth us taking a slight risk and playing seriki a bit more in that position.

Rohl got his tactics spot on first half - relentlessly pressed Burrows and left Gilchrist as the open man. Then made sure they doubled up on JRS so there was no out ball. Wilder mentioned this in his post match and fair play to him for seeing it and changing things up. I expect we’ll see this more from other teams now and putting Seriki in there changes it because they can’t leave someone with his pace and power 30 yards to run into unopposed.

Despite our incredible defensive record, we can’t win every game 1-0 and need more attacking impetus if we’re looking at the top two.

Anyway, a discussion for the international break. Will just enjoy this one for now!

 

[bakeblade]

Seriki was great when he came on and I was surprised that Gilchrist had gone off as I thought he was solid and one of our best players in the first half. I was worried about Peck coming on after Bristol City, but the lad did well.

Gilchrist was fine but offers very little offensively.
Good move by CW to put on the more attack minded Seriki, I can see him getting a lot more minutes as teams try to sit in against us.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Gilchrist was fine but offers very little offensively.
Good move by CW to put on the more attack minded Seriki, I can see him getting a lot more minutes as teams try to sit in against us.

Seriki also made a superb saving tackle when their sub skipped past a few players on the right.

Very happy that we've kept faith in Seriki, despite his loan moves not being hugely successful.

 

[Blade45]

Looking through both squads, only Bannan (not sure about Marvin Johnson) has played in the steel city derby before today.

Hasn’t Liam Palmer? Didnt come on but he was in the squad.

 

[loyalblade95]

Hasn’t Liam Palmer? Didnt come on but he was in the squad.

I forgot about him, just shows how long 5 and half years is in football when only 2 or 3 players are still in both combined squads in that time.

 

[Champagneblade]

Seriki, no fear, love him. Just goes for it every time he gets the ball. Changed the impetus of the game totally.

Looks a completely different player to the one lucky not to give a penalty away vs Forest that time.

 

[Foxy]

 

[b1ade4life]

Is there a better academy outside the prem??

 

[232 Bramall Lane]

Just look again at the ground he made up to make the block tackle.
Superb.

 

[Iceybabey]

Just look again at the ground he made up to make the block tackle.
Superb.

Someone get a clip up

 

[Weasel]

View attachment 196867

Is little Barry trying to kiss our Captain?

Strange wee little man.

 

[Charlieblade]

I agree about our academy producing quality players, and they are mostly fearless and fit in just fine. A little patience will be required from supporters. They will have off days, and endure times when things don’t go their way.
The good thing is that the academy has encouraged them properly. They are allowed to make a mistake, provided they learn from it.
It’s a mistake to only consider their age. Some will be ready now, and others will need further experience and development.
Great credit to the academy coaches and leadership for monitoring these lads so well.

The club is gradually learning to have faith in them, not only as potential sales income, but ready made first team squad players, right on the cusp of becoming regular starters. Promoting from within has an upside. It’s much better than spending big money on a well researched player, only to find out he’s a dud, who doesn’t fit in.