Reed, Dimaio, Khan and Kennedy.....

[Blade56]

I salute you, be proud.

 

[AlexHD]

Seconded , all played fantasticly well

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Their performances were all understated but contributed a lot. Especially Kennedy in defence, his composure and aerial dominance was a joy to watch.

 

[sheffielder]

I am glad we now have a manager who won't stunt their growth

 

[zablade]

Four real prospects, I hope the line that we don't have to sell is the truth this time.

 

[bricktop]

Kennedy impressed me. He had a bad time with injuries and i thought he would drift away from the Lane. Only concern about him is he seems a bit small for a centre half

 

[Bat&Trap]

I don't think Cloughie had much choice tonight if he was to rest the big guns for Sunday.
But for 5 youngsters with limited first team experience to get the result against one of the leagues' in-form teams is fantastic.
What a great advocate for the future of our academy.

 

[Blade56]

Not forgetting Long and MaGuire who are both U21 Academy products

 

[bricktop]

Not forgetting Long and McGuire who are both U21 Academy products

*Maguire*

 

[sheffielder]

Kennedy impressed me. He had a bad time with injuries and i thought he would drift away from the Lane. Only concern about him is he seems a bit small for a centre half

His positioning and timing will make up for his lack of height. Also helps having Harry alongside you.

 

[Goodpinchofclough]

Kennedy did everything as was expected of him, adequate cover at least for next season. Can hope for a partnership of Maguire and Kennedy in the future

 

[Blade56]

Kennedy impressed me. He had a bad time with injuries and i thought he would drift away from the Lane. Only concern about him is he seems a bit small for a centre half

Reminded me of Harry MAGUIRE in his first few games.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Kennedy impressed me. He had a bad time with injuries and i thought he would drift away from the Lane. Only concern about him is he seems a bit small for a centre half

Mr Shaw?

 

[Latters]

They were all brilliant, but Dimaio looks like an absolutely outstanding prospect based on that showing. He has a good touch, good vision and amazing composure for a young lad. I hope to see plenty more of him before the season's out.

 

[bricktop]

His positioning and timing will make up for his lack of height. Also helps having Harry alongside you.

They are two essential skills for a centre half. I also like them to have either pace or height and ideally you would have both in a centre half partnership. I dont think Kennedy has either and that might be a weakness. I think he will eventually end up as a full back or holding midfielder

 

[bricktop]

Mr Shaw?

I never saw him to be honest but if he is anywhere near as good as im told he was then he must have been some player

 

[ilovesufc]

Superb tonight from the youngsters. The future's looking bright on that showing. Also, the confidence gained from tonight will stand them in great stead should any of them be needed on Sunday. UTB.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Lou Reed looks a bit on the wild side to me.

What's happened to geronimo? Is he crocked yet again?

 

[blader]

Lou Reed looks a bit on the wild side to me.

What's happened to geronimo? Is he crocked yet again?

Aye got injured midweek.

Though, to be honest, I hear from people who attend the youth games that Diego is a classic flair player. He turns up 1 in 5/6 and everyone raves about him, but ignore the other 4/5 where he goes missing. The 4 that played tonight (plus Calvert-Lewin) seem to be the most realistic 1st team players in the future.

 

[Pinchy]

I don't think Cloughie had much choice tonight if he was to rest the big guns for Sunday.
But for 5 youngsters with limited first team experience to get the result against one of the leagues' in-form teams is fantastic.
What a great advocate for the future of our academy.

Someone is doing a fine job at that Academy. In Nigel, we have just the bloke to work with them and bring talent through.

Happy days ahead if we're prepared to be a bit patient.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Kennedy impressed me. He had a bad time with injuries and i thought he would drift away from the Lane. Only concern about him is he seems a bit small for a centre half

What, like Joe Shaw?

 

[Silent Blade]

What, like Joe Shaw?

and Fabio Cannavaro. Only 5 foot 9 inches

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

and Fabio Cannavaro. Only 5 foot 9 inches

and Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders ever.

 

[Silent Blade]

and Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders ever.

And waiting for Sitwell to say Matt Hill!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Lou Reed looks a bit on the wild side to me.

What's happened to geronimo? Is he crocked yet again?

Nope he was only taken off as a precaution in the week but next season is more likely for Diego.
I believe him and Clough have discussed what happens this season and next already, and he knows what is expected of him.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

Someone is doing a fine job at that Academy. In Nigel, we have just the bloke to work with them and bring talent through.

Happy days ahead if we're prepared to be a bit patient.

It's quite a lot of people's work over a long period of time. I started watching the young teams when Ron Reid was in charge and was always impressed with the emphasis that was placed on playing football, he also had a tendency to try and get players playing in positions other than their favoured one in order to get them to learn more about the game. This was of course built on by John Pemberton and has been continued by the current crop. But it is the coaches working with the even younger lads who are laying the foundations for our U18's to be a good stage on which to impress and progress to the first team.

 

[Lane Ender]

Last night was a kick in the nuts for the academy knockers.

To see young players developing like that is brilliant.
Under Clough these youngsters will flourish playing football how it should be played.

 

[JohnDenver]

Nope he was only taken off as a precaution in the week but next season is more likely for Diego.
I believe him and Clough have discussed what happens this season and next already, and he knows what is expected of him.

It's good to know that Clough is directly involved in managing the development of such players. I imagine Deigo would have been very disappointed to fall behind the lads who played yesterday. He'd have needed a word about why.

I've not seen him since his comeback, but it's asking a lot for an 18 year old to challenge for the first team again after a year out. Focusing on next season seems wholly sensible.

 

[Guesty]

and Fabio Cannavaro. Only 5 foot 9 inches

I remember having this argument with Ollessendro about how short players could make great Centre Halves. I cited Cannavaro along with fellow WC winning Captain Daniel Passarella. Carles Puyol, too.

 

[UnitedBlade]

It's good to know that Clough is directly involved in managing the development of such players. I imagine Deigo would have been very disappointed to fall behind the lads who played yesterday. He'd have needed a word about why.

I've not seen him since his comeback, but it's asking a lot for an 18 year old to challenge for the first team again after a year out. Focusing on next season seems wholly sensible.

I have also heard that Cloughie has had discussions with Diego.

I'm sure he is disappointed he has fallen behind others but his big opportunity along with the others is to come back fighting fit for next season.

He unquestionably has the talent but he will need to show the desire and team ethic. I don't think the latter are negotiable with Cloughie.