Zak Brunt and Kacper Lopata

[Booker4]

Wish all the lads well and obviously hope Southend stay up too. Is Harrison Neal always been with United or is he one we've picked up from another academy like brunt and lopata?

 

[Gimli]

Some great comments from Southend fans in this article

Zak Brunt sent Southend message after Notts County transfer

The Magpies have signed the talented attacker from Sheffield United after his loan spell at the Shrimpers came to an end

www.nottinghampost.com

Does Roygbiv do freelance work now?

 

[EddieColquhoun]

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I've linked to it time & time again on this forum. But, Harrison Neal features in one of the great insights into how our Shirecliffe Academy works. For the avoidance of doubt, I am deffo praising Del Geary, rather than criticising him. Here's Harrison in September 2018

Who is the Genius?

Nottinghamshire 332 for 7 v Yorkshire close on Day One County Championship Division One Tuesday 3 September 2018 Played at Trent Bridge...

ball-sup.blogspot.com

 

[Carlton Blade]

I've linked to it time & time again on this forum. But, Harrison Neal features in one of the great insights into how our Shirecliffe Academy works. For the avoidance of doubt, I am deffo praising Del Geary, rather than criticising him. Here's Harrison in September 2018

Who is the Genius?

Nottinghamshire 332 for 7 v Yorkshire close on Day One County Championship Division One Tuesday 3 September 2018 Played at Trent Bridge...

ball-sup.blogspot.com

I agree with what you're saying here. The number of players we produce who go on to play 50+ adult, professional games is impressive

 

[Kanye]

I've linked to it time & time again on this forum. But, Harrison Neal features in one of the great insights into how our Shirecliffe Academy works. For the avoidance of doubt, I am deffo praising Del Geary, rather than criticising him. Here's Harrison in September 2018

Who is the Genius?

Nottinghamshire 332 for 7 v Yorkshire close on Day One County Championship Division One Tuesday 3 September 2018 Played at Trent Bridge...

ball-sup.blogspot.com

Phil, can I ask when you started watching the Academy teams?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Phil, can I ask when you started watching the Academy teams?

Of course, but there's no "simple" answer. I moved back to Sheffield in 1993, and would drift into what were then the occasional reserve games at The Lane. I packed in The Rat Race in 2010 & got more opportunity to go to Reserve/Academy games in & out of Sheffield at local grounds. (But also the opportunity to travel more overseas for Football & Cricket, meaning I would occasionally miss 2 or 3 months of a season, first team, Academy, the lot). I started my Blog in July 2014. And it was only really after that that I started to "make an effort" to get to Academy games, ground tick & match tick. (But, pre Covid, I'd still miss large swathes of the season while abroad). So, in the spirit your question is asked, let's say 2015.

 

[Kanye]

Of course, but there's no "simple" answer. I moved back to Sheffield in 1993, and would drift into what were then the occasional reserve games at The Lane. I packed in The Rat Race in 2010 & got more opportunity to go to Reserve/Academy games in & out of Sheffield at local grounds. (But also the opportunity to travel more overseas for Football & Cricket, meaning I would occasionally miss 2 or 3 months of a season, first team, Academy, the lot). I started my Blog in July 2014. And it was only really after that that I started to "make an effort" to get to Academy games, ground tick & match tick. (But, pre Covid, I'd still miss large swathes of the season while abroad). So, in the spirit your question is asked, let's say 2015.

That's quite a footballing CV. The reason I asked is that I was wondering if you watched around 06, 07. At the time I was 13/14 and watched a few academy games during the holidays, as a kid from my school was playing in the academy at the time.
I remember seeing a young Kyle Walker, playing up front; must admit, I thought he was a bit rubbish.

Reading your blog just now came the made the memory resurface. I wondered if you had made many calls as ridiculous as mine?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

That's quite a footballing CV. The reason I asked is that I was wondering if you watched around 06, 07. At the time I was 13/14 and watched a few academy games during the holidays, as a kid from my school was playing in the academy at the time.
I remember seeing a young Kyle Walker, playing up front; must admit, I thought he was a bit rubbish.

Reading your blog just now came the made the memory resurface. I wondered if you had made many calls as ridiculous as mine?

In a sense that era was before my time. Because I go "for the love of the game". Rather than to "see who'll make it". I tend to love all the players & think they've all got something. I try very hard to not get sucked into "will he make it". But, I know who has played well in a game. And I know who has played consistently well over a few months. And I do have favourites. Not because I necessarily think they'll make it. But more because I like the cut of their jib.

Jake Wright Jnr put a smile on my face every game I saw him.
Diego DG was mind-blowing when he was at the top of his game.
Jordan Hallam was a scoring machine.
Harry Boyes also gees me up every time I watch him
Marcus Dewhurst is the best swearer at the club.
David Brooks, with Travis encouraging him constantly - Brooksy, Brooksy, Brooksy
All favourites in their time. But, I know that's not what every Academy Curtain Twitcher wants to hear.

 

[Kanye]

In a sense that era was before my time. Because I go "for the love of the game". Rather than to "see who'll make it". I tend to love all the players & think they've all got something. I try very hard to not get sucked into "will he make it". But, I know who has played well in a game. And I know who has played consistently well over a few months. And I do have favourites. Not because I necessarily think they'll make it. But more because I like the cut of their jib.

Jake Wright Jnr put a smile on my face every game I saw him.
Diego DG was mind-blowing when he was at the top of his game.
Jordan Hallam was a scoring machine.
Harry Boyes also gees me up every time I watch him
Marcus Dewhurst is the best swearer at the club.
David Brooks, with Travis encouraging him constantly - Brooksy, Brooksy, Brooksy
All favourites in their time. But, I know that's not what every Academy Curtain Twitcher wants to hear.

Absolutely, I admire your outlook when it comes to actually watching the football for the football, rather than treating it as an unofficial scouting mission. I was a little immature at the time: a footballer manager obsessed teenager.

I think that's why your blogs are entertaining. I've seen you make the point before that debating who will or won't make it is unfair on the players and effectively commidifies the lads.

Still though, I do like to challenge people to see if they've made any calls as daft as me proclaiming that a future PL and England star "won't make it"

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Rootshallbloke
I know you've told us to ignore the BBC, but their website had Kacper at left-back today?

 

[Rootshallbloke]

Rootshallbloke
I know you've told us to ignore the BBC, but their website had Kacper at left-back today?

Sort of, if that makes sense. We played a back 3, so he was covering on the left hand side. One thing is for certain, he played a major role in Weymouth ending up with nil.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Sort of, if that makes sense. We played a back 3, so he was covering on the left hand side. One thing is for certain, he played a major role in Weymouth ending up with nil.

Another of our young centre-backs (Kyron Gordon) has been recalled and could play at Wolves today (Kacper is cup-tied).

 

[Nedski]

 

[Rootshallbloke]

Harrison Neal and Kacper Lopata have made a huge difference to the Southend team. Neither put a foot wrong last night and will be first choice names on the starting 11 between now and the end of the season. My biggest concern now is how we prepare for when they are no longer with us, and that will happen. But that is for later. Thank you Blades for loaning us these two. I thought we would miss Zac but Harrison has filled the gap and more. He is is going to be some player. One minor worry is that he picked up another yellow and a two game rest may soon be his.

 

[Cutbush City Limits]

Wish all the lads well and obviously hope Southend stay up too. Is Harrison Neal always been with United or is he one we've picked up from another academy like brunt and lopata?

Not seen a reply to this, but Haz signed for United aged 8. My son signed at the same time and Harrison is the only one of that group still at United. A few others are still in the game but Harrision stayed at Unted throughout. Originally from Barnsley but I think we can forgve him that.

 

[Yogi]

Harrison Neal and Kacper Lopata have made a huge difference to the Southend team. Neither put a foot wrong last night and will be first choice names on the starting 11 between now and the end of the season. My biggest concern now is how we prepare for when they are no longer with us, and that will happen. But that is for later. Thank you Blades for loaning us these two. I thought we would miss Zac but Harrison has filled the gap and more. He is is going to be some player. One minor worry is that he picked up another yellow and a two game rest may soon be his.

Good to hear Roots it’s great that it’s a relationship that’s bearing fruit for all parties. As to replacing them in the medium term we currently have a pretty deep and talented group of 23’s and 18’s that are going to be breaking through over the next two or three years and as I’ve said before we do seem to go back to the well so to speak with clubs if loans have gone well in the past so it wouldn’t surprise me if next year we see our two clubs do business again. As for the here and now it seems you might have stopped the rot and tentatively started to turn the corner that’s great hopefully onwards and upwards for you.

 

[Rootshallbloke]

Good to hear Roots it’s great that it’s a relationship that’s bearing fruit for all parties. As to replacing them in the medium term we currently have a pretty deep and talented group of 23’s and 18’s that are going to be breaking through over the next two or three years and as I’ve said before we do seem to go back to the well so to speak with clubs if loans have gone well in the past so it wouldn’t surprise me if next year we see our two clubs do business again. As for the here and now it seems you might have stopped the rot and tentatively started to turn the corner that’s great hopefully onwards and upwards for you.

You may well be right on the corner turning. The first half last night was the nest football from a Southend side that I have seen in three seasons, due, in no small way to the Blades babes.

 

[Snake]

Harrison Neal and Kacper Lopata have made a huge difference to the Southend team. Neither put a foot wrong last night and will be first choice names on the starting 11 between now and the end of the season. My biggest concern now is how we prepare for when they are no longer with us, and that will happen. But that is for later. Thank you Blades for loaning us these two. I thought we would miss Zac but Harrison has filled the gap and more. He is is going to be some player. One minor worry is that he picked up another yellow and a two game rest may soon be his.

You know what mate, this type of conversation and interaction is, to me, what social media and forums should be all about. It's great to hear how our lads are doing from a different angle and perspective of the game. I rarely post on here because, quite frankly, if I want to chat to other Blades I just go to the pub with my mates, or pick up the phone, or well go to the games lol etc.

Thank you for keeping us updated on stuff at your end, and all the very best for the season.

 

[JohnDenver]

Harrison Neal and Kacper Lopata have made a huge difference to the Southend team. Neither put a foot wrong last night and will be first choice names on the starting 11 between now and the end of the season. My biggest concern now is how we prepare for when they are no longer with us, and that will happen. But that is for later. Thank you Blades for loaning us these two. I thought we would miss Zac but Harrison has filled the gap and more. He is is going to be some player. One minor worry is that he picked up another yellow and a two game rest may soon be his.

Who knows how far these two will progress. But something the Blades academy is extremely good at is creating professional standard players. For the last twenty years we’ve seen lots of graduates have a good career in the EFL.

Only a handful make it in the top leagues, but that’s an incredibly hard nut to crack for anyone. I also like to think we also schooled Calvert-Lewin’s taste in handbags.

 

[Rootshallbloke]

Not too much to report on Kacper and Harrison this week. We bravely entered the den that is Dagenham and Redbridge's gaff for a 4th round FA Trophy game. Kacper warmed the bench for the whole 90 minutes to protect his recent injury and Harrison was Cup tied. We got dicked 0-2, and about 100 of our prepubescents growled at an equal number of theirs with much throwing of plastic bottles and a sandwich through a hole in a dividing fence. This achieved a further 7 minutes of extra time added on and sod all else. So our Wembley appearance dream is now stashed away for another season. Anyway, hopefully a more fruitful report on Friday night when we smash Weymouth at Roots Hall.

 

[Bladesman]

Not too much to report on Kacper and Harrison this week. We bravely entered the den that is Dagenham and Redbridge's gaff for a 4th round FA Trophy game. Kacper warmed the bench for the whole 90 minutes to protect his recent injury and Harrison was Cup tied. We got dicked 0-2, and about 100 of our prepubescents growled at an equal number of theirs with much throwing of plastic bottles and a sandwich through a hole in a dividing fence. This achieved a further 7 minutes of extra time added on and sod all else. So our Wembley appearance dream is now stashed away for another season. Anyway, hopefully a more fruitful report on Friday night when we smash Weymouth at Roots Hall.

Was it you going on a mad one here?

 

[Rootshallbloke]

Was it you going on a mad one here?

Lol, I'm 71 this year so nah, my days of being active at a match ended in the early 70s and then it was only to defend our end if necessary. This event was a Stone Island spectacular of little boys trying to be hard and failing miserably. The odd thing is that we never export aggro at away games and so far no has identified who our lot were. Given the Hammers didn't play yesterday it could have been a pre-arranged party. It didn't help that the Daggers stewards actually opened a gate between the two sets of supporters and Old Bill and the stewards were way to slow to react.

 

[247Blade]

Oysters nearly wiped London out back in the day, silly Londoners loved them ate them went for a shite flushed it down the Thames which fed the Oysters which fed the cockneys again ....................... they were eating their own shit and wondering why they were getting food poisoning. Still happens to this day when the storm drains become overloaded raw sewage is allowed to go into the Thames.

Yeah there's plenty of shit down there .... Bull Shitt!!

 

[247Blade]

Who knows how far these two will progress. But something the Blades academy is extremely good at is creating professional standard players. For the last twenty years we’ve seen lots of graduates have a good career in the EFL.

Only a handful make it in the top leagues, but that’s an incredibly hard nut to crack for anyone. I also like to think we also schooled Calvert-Lewin’s taste in handbags.

Shame we don't get the benefit

 

[Rootshallbloke]

Shame we don't get the benefit

Surely that depends on the age of the player and whether any deal agreed carries sell-on clauses or appearance bonuses? We would be TF'd without the income from our Academy selling our youngsters on to Prem clubs.

 

[bongleblade]

In a sense that era was before my time. Because I go "for the love of the game". Rather than to "see who'll make it". I tend to love all the players & think they've all got something. I try very hard to not get sucked into "will he make it". But, I know who has played well in a game. And I know who has played consistently well over a few months. And I do have favourites. Not because I necessarily think they'll make it. But more because I like the cut of their jib.

Jake Wright Jnr put a smile on my face every game I saw him.
Diego DG was mind-blowing when he was at the top of his game.
Jordan Hallam was a scoring machine.
Harry Boyes also gees me up every time I watch him
Marcus Dewhurst is the best swearer at the club.
David Brooks, with Travis encouraging him constantly - Brooksy, Brooksy, Brooksy
All favourites in their time. But, I know that's not what every Academy Curtain Twitcher wants to hear.

It's interesting how have gone on to be successful which you just mentioned (relative to The Blades league status). It's only DB who has really 'done it' so far... Dewhurst and Boyes still could i guess!

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

It's interesting how have gone on to be successful which you just mentioned (relative to The Blades league status). It's only DB who has really 'done it' so far... Dewhurst and Boyes still could i guess!

And Travis of course, he's at Manchester United

 

[Rootshallbloke]

So Friday night at Roots Hall, Kings Lynn 2nd from bottom and three new signings in the starting line up. I thought we would batter them, which we did, apart from them scoring first, us not equalising until the 48th minute and then not scoring again until 93rd minute from the penalty spot. Nevertheless, it was a great evening with Neal in commanding form (he's going to be very good if he keeps up like that), and a 6k crowd rocking the ground. Only down side last night was that I forgot my glasses so they had blobs in yellow on the pitch and we were the blobs in navy blue, doh!

A very happy Shrimpy/Blade at the end!

 

[Byfield17]

Was it you going on a mad one here?