U23s away at Crewe

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

We're off & running on our way to see the 4th XI, also known as the U23s, away at Crewe. Obvs, none of the 2nd XI Big Lads will feature after yesterday. I notice Callum Semple & Sam Graham, who both played or squaded at the weekend, have tweeted their goodbyes to their loan clubs. So, idc, it'll be on their way, another loan out, or back to the U23 Development Squad for them. I've attracted some criticism on here recently for my "Academy Blocked Club" comments. I'll make plain.
Youngsters have to be good enough to make the First Team, that's the only criteria.
I fully agree that the needs of the First Team & the push for promotion are paramount.
I do not mean we are an Academy BLOCKING Club in the sense of someone is doing something deliberate & wrong.
But, yesterday showed clearly we are an Academy BLOCKED Club. An FA Cup game, against non league opposition, in a hectic schedule. And not one Academy prospect involved. Again, I'm just painting that as a "neutral fact". We've got the First Team, the 2nd string with a piss poor performance yesterday. A group of long forgottens on loan. A full XI & more of Development Lads on loans of their own. And, then the lads who'll play today.

Team, goal & blocked updates on my Twitter
www.twitter.com/ball_sup
& a fuller report later on my Blog
www.ball-sup.blogspot.com

 

[I should coco]

yesterday showed clearly we are an Academy BLOCKED Club. An FA Cup game, against non league opposition, in a hectic schedule. And not one Academy prospect involved.

Not a bad point to make at all.

Playing 11 academy lads would have looked like we were massively disrespecting both Barnet and the FAC, but the reality is that they would probably have been hungrier and shown more fight for the club, even if the result remained the same.

 

[Redhead]

Callum Semple played the full 90 mins away at Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday so would imagine a place on the 23s bench today if involved at all.

Won MOM as well.

Sam Graham has hardly play any football at Oldham so maybe will start today.

 

[Silent Blade]

We're off & running on our way to see the 4th XI, also known as the U23s, away at Crewe. Obvs, none of the 2nd XI Big Lads will feature after yesterday. I notice Callum Semple & Sam Graham, who both played or squaded at the weekend, have tweeted their goodbyes to their loan clubs. So, idc, it'll be on their way, another loan out, or back to the U23 Development Squad for them. I've attracted some criticism on here recently for my "Academy Blocked Club" comments. I'll make plain.
Youngsters have to be good enough to make the First Team, that's the only criteria.
I fully agree that the needs of the First Team & the push for promotion are paramount.
I do not mean we are an Academy BLOCKING Club in the sense of someone is doing something deliberate & wrong.
But, yesterday showed clearly we are an Academy BLOCKED Club. An FA Cup game, against non league opposition, in a hectic schedule. And not one Academy prospect involved. Again, I'm just painting that as a "neutral fact". We've got the First Team, the 2nd string with a piss poor performance yesterday. A group of long forgottens on loan. A full XI & more of Development Lads on loans of their own. And, then the lads who'll play today.

Team, goal & blocked updates on my Twitter
www.twitter.com/ball_sup
& a fuller report later on my Blog
www.ball-sup.blogspot.com

Semple has been a regular for QOTS, Gilmour has played in most of Tranmere's games, Slater hasn't been playing much for Carlisle over Xmas and Graham has hardly played.

I think Semple might get in the our 1st team squad for the next 3 games?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Redhead]

Semple has been a regular for QOTS, Gilmour has played in most of Tranmere's games, Slater hasn't been playing much for Carlisle over Xmas and Graham has hardly played.

I think Semple might get in the our 1st team squad for the next 3 games?

I would love to see it Silent but I don’t think it is going to happen.
Far too many players in front of him.

 

[LondonBlade89]

We're off & running on our way to see the 4th XI, also known as the U23s, away at Crewe. Obvs, none of the 2nd XI Big Lads will feature after yesterday. I notice Callum Semple & Sam Graham, who both played or squaded at the weekend, have tweeted their goodbyes to their loan clubs. So, idc, it'll be on their way, another loan out, or back to the U23 Development Squad for them. I've attracted some criticism on here recently for my "Academy Blocked Club" comments. I'll make plain.
Youngsters have to be good enough to make the First Team, that's the only criteria.
I fully agree that the needs of the First Team & the push for promotion are paramount.
I do not mean we are an Academy BLOCKING Club in the sense of someone is doing something deliberate & wrong.
But, yesterday showed clearly we are an Academy BLOCKED Club. An FA Cup game, against non league opposition, in a hectic schedule. And not one Academy prospect involved. Again, I'm just painting that as a "neutral fact". We've got the First Team, the 2nd string with a piss poor performance yesterday. A group of long forgottens on loan. A full XI & more of Development Lads on loans of their own. And, then the lads who'll play today.

Team, goal & blocked updates on my Twitter
www.twitter.com/ball_sup
& a fuller report later on my Blog
www.ball-sup.blogspot.com

I think given Wilder's comments post-game, it seems he wanted to treat the game seriously and show Barnet respect by involving some of the first team. I was hoping for some of the academy lads to be involved but I can see where Wilder is coming from with his selection.

That said, I know you're basing your view on much more than yesterday's squad, so I'll respect your opinion and look out for the match report. Enjoy reading them.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

 

[EddieColquhoun]

But, yesterday showed clearly we are an Academy BLOCKED Club.

Today's U23 line-up is full of academy players.
You could argue that players that have left the academy are struggling to get to the first-team but isn't that the same for most teams in the top 2 leagues?
Are Liverpool blocked because Woodburn and Wilson are out on loan? Man U with Henderson?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Today's U23 line-up is full of academy players.
You could argue that players that have left the academy are struggling to get to the first-team but isn't that the same for most teams in the top 2 leagues?
Are Liverpool blocked because Woodburn and Wilson are out on loan? Man U with Henderson?

I don't know enough about Liverpool's or Manchester United's Academy system to judge that. But, I'm very happy to take your word that they too are Academy Blocked. We definitely are at the moment. Not saying that's wrong. Not saying we need to do something about it. Just saying that we are.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

But, I'm very happy to take your word that they too are Academy Blocked. We definitely are at the moment. Not saying that's wrong. Not saying we need to do something about it. Just saying that we are.

In your opinion. But Calvert-Lewin, Ramsdale and Brooks have all left to Premier clubs within a couple of seasons which could suggest otherwise.
Which academy players are currently blocked?

 

[Eric Cartman]

I think a number of our better talents are out on loan which would suggest why they weren’t involved yesterday.

Semple only just back from Caley. Tyler Smith now at Donny.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

In your opinion. But Calvert-Lewin, Ramsdale and Brooks have all left to Premier clubs within a couple of seasons which could suggest otherwise.
Which academy players are currently blocked?

EddieColquhoun Yesterday, a Cup game, v non league, in a hectic schedule, with the manager making 11 changes, not one Academy player involved in that squad. I'm not saying, he should be, what about him. I'm saying the Academy players can't get near the 2nd XI. Is it because I'm using the word BLOCKED that you're coming at me? I'm happy to use something different to describe the situation if that will build a bridge. And I'm saying BLOCKED yesterday, not blocked when DCL, Ramsdale, Brooks were around. Are we meeting anywhere in the middle?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Liverpool now have 16 17 & 18 year olds on in their Cup game. Using the terminology which seems to be causing a problem, that looks unblocked to me...

 

[Redhead]

EddieColquhoun Yesterday, a Cup game, v non league, in a hectic schedule, with the manager making 11 changes, not one Academy player involved in that squad. I'm not saying, he should be, what about him. I'm saying the Academy players can't get near the 2nd XI. Is it because I'm using the word BLOCKED that you're coming at me? I'm happy to use something different to describe the situation if that will build a bridge. And I'm saying BLOCKED yesterday, not blocked when DCL, Ramsdale, Brooks were around. Are we meeting anywhere in the middle?

The problem you have Phil is that you seem to be criticizing CW. That doesn’t go down well with many on this forum.

Ultimately though CW clearly doesn’t rate any of the current crop. Ty Smith may be the exemption.

Gilmour won the EFL Young Player of the Month last month and has still been allowed to leave. If rated he would have been offered a more lucrative deal to stay.

Sadly it is what it is but once these lads get a taste for first team football in a professional environment, maybe being a squad player at Sheffield Utd is not as appealing as playing week in week out a couple of leagues below the Championship.

Even at that standard these lads will be making a very good and prosperous life for themselves.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

The problem you have Phil is that you seem to be criticizing CW. That doesn’t go down well with many on this forum.

Ultimately though CW clearly doesn’t rate any of the current crop. Ty Smith may be the exemption.

Gilmour won the EFL Young Player of the Month last month and has still been allowed to leave. If rated he would have been offered a more lucrative deal to stay.

Sadly it is what it is but once these lads get a taste for first team football in a professional environment, maybe being a squad player at Sheffield Utd is not as appealing as playing week in week out a couple of leagues below the Championship.

Even at that standard these lads will be making a very good and prosperous life for themselves.

Thanks. I can nail that. I am not criticising Wilder. He should not pick players who are not ready.

 

[Bill Johnson]

Liverpool now have 16 17 & 18 year olds on in their Cup game. Using the terminology which seems to be causing a problem, that looks unblocked to me...

Totally agree mate.

Would have loved to have seen 5 or 6 academy lads against Barnet yesterday. They'd have given far more and benefited from the experience

 

[EddieColquhoun]

EddieColquhoun Yesterday, a Cup game, v non league, in a hectic schedule, with the manager making 11 changes, not one Academy player involved in that squad. I'm not saying, he should be, what about him. I'm saying the Academy players can't get near the 2nd XI. Is it because I'm using the word BLOCKED that you're coming at me? I'm happy to use something different to describe the situation if that will build a bridge. And I'm saying BLOCKED yesterday, not blocked when DCL, Ramsdale, Brooks were around. Are we meeting anywhere in the middle?

Brooks left in July. You were using the BLOCKED word way before then.
A lot of the young lads are out on loan. Perhaps the club feel they would be better playing in man's football rather than U23 third tier games (like Walker and Calvert-Lewin at Northampton). Callum Semple played 27 times and Tyler Smith scored 11 goals. Surely that benefits them.

 

[BladeTillIDie]

Ndiaye.. sounds like one of them midfield giants at Wolves and Birmingham last season. Any more info on him?

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Liverpool now have 16 17 & 18 year olds on in their Cup game. Using the terminology which seems to be causing a problem, that looks unblocked to me...

Which of our 16 17 and 18 year olds are being BLOCKED?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

EddieColquhoun thanks for contributing. Really helps me get my thoughts together. Forgive me, but I'm withdrawing from this exchange at the moment.

 

[Hague Blade]

The problem you have Phil is that you seem to be criticizing CW. That doesn’t go down well with many on this forum.

Nail on head. He’s a fantastic manager, no question at all, but the “In Wilder We Trust” brigade don’t like to admit to even the hint of possible errors.

 

[Redhead]

Brooks left in July. You were using the BLOCKED word way before then.
A lot of the young lads are out on loan. Perhaps the club feel they would be better playing in man's football rather than U23 third tier games (like Walker and Calvert-Lewin at Northampton). Callum Semple played 27 times and Tyler Smith scored 11 goals. Surely that benefits them.

There is nothing you say Eddie which is not correct. These are your opinions and should be respected.
From what I know you always seem very pro our younger players trying to come through.
If you feel the word Blocked is unfair then so be it.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Ndiaye.. sounds like one of them midfield giants at Wolves and Birmingham last season. Any more info on him?

Signed to Boreham Wood FC. Turns 19 in March. Born in France. Pretty certain he's a trialist with us at the moment. Scored our first goal. Looked calm & accomplished in a central midfield role. Subbed off later on. Got some nice touches in.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Ndiaye.. sounds like one of them midfield giants at Wolves and Birmingham last season. Any more info on him?

Not exactly like them:

https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/iliman-ndiaye-signs-pro-deal/

 

[robbiez666]

The club has been piss poor for a while in terms of bringing academy players through and giving them a chance. May sound a daft statement given the high profile successes but how many youngsters never get a chance or get a chance, do OK and disappear?

I'm all in favour of this new approach of sending players out on loan. I just don't really understand why the U-23 squad is not being used to keep squad players fit. It's no wonder they're shit when they come in as they've mainly just trained and nothing else.