Teejay update

[Thracian]

I mentioned that Leicester seemed to miss Tom Tejan-Sie in the centre of midfield against Sunderland in the Academy final but my enquiries confirm that he has been released and will be having exit trials at the end of this month.

He's already had trials at Barnet, Shrewsbury, Millwall and Hereford without success and will be hoping one last appearance in the shop window will prevent him perhaps having to seek options in non-League football.

Shows what a precarious career path it can be at times.

Meanwhile, Joe Magunda, the erstwhile defender who in-effect replaced Teejay in midfield on Sunday, has signed a one-year professional contract.

Joe doubtless will be trying to make his name at right-back.

[Fez of Mahrez]

It's got to tell you something.

[Sparky]

good luck to the lad

[Bryn]

I reckon it probably was the height thing that did for him. I mean he's probably a very good midfielder, but if he lacks the physicality to dominate in midfield then he probably isn't going to make the step up.

[Thracian]

I reckon it probably was the height thing that did for him. I mean he's probably a very good midfielder, but if he lacks the physicality to dominate in midfield then he probably isn't going to make the step up.

You may well be right. I suppose there's a chance he might come through a bit later than others with the right encouragement elsewhere.

All I know is that I've watched the Academy stacks of times and that's the first time I've seen them without Teejay - and the worst they've played.

And that's not just my opinion. One of the Leicester coaches thought it was the worst they've played all season.

I'm not saying they were awful all round. Some players did well and the team ground out an exceptional result. There were lots of good moments for them.

But they were like a Rolls Royce with the engine of an old banger. For too long there was no flow, no cohesion, not enough energy and no tangible link between defence and attack.

I hope someone like Hinckley or Rushden take a look at him in the exit trials. It might require a bit of patience while his strength develops but he's certainly been used to playing on the winning side while he's been here.

And I hope he doesn't give up but goes on to carve out a worthwhile career.

[Jonbluefox9]

Must say he never stood out for me. He got better as he went along because I remember thinking he was pretty poor when I first saw him. We picked him up when he'd been rejected by Reading from what I've heard so it would seem he's had plenty of opportunites at football clubs and hasn't done enough at any of them to be seen as a big enough prospect. It's alright saying the under 18s don't function as well without him but it's individual players that are going to make it at the club not a whole youth team. You can't just keep a player because he helps a youth team play well if he isn't good enough on a personal level.

[Thracian]

Must say he never stood out for me. He got better as he went along because I remember thinking he was pretty poor when I first saw him. We picked him up when he'd been rejected by Reading from what I've heard so it would seem he's had plenty of opportunites at football clubs and hasn't done enough at any of them to be seen as a big enough prospect. It's alright saying the under 18s don't function as well without him but it's individual players that are going to make it at the club not a whole youth team. You can't just keep a player because he helps a youth team play well if he isn't good enough on a personal level.

I didn't intend to give the impression we should keep him. I mentioned some weeks ago that with Weso, King, Porter all being able to play central midfield plus any seniors we have available shortly, I couldn't see how he was likely to progress.

Not sure about your last point though. I truly believe that some players might not look good but have a surprisingly positive effect on teams - Simon Grayson is a recently talked-off example, Peter Reid was another and Neil Lennon a third.

None were what you'd call spectacular or eyecatching players but they had this effect of being able to hold things together both personally and collectively.

Others might catch the eye more easily but the team performance is so often lacking - like Gareth Williams and Ryan Smith for example.

In assessing players I would always consider results with them and without them and the team performance with/without as well.

It's funny you didn't really rate Teejay. He always seemed a natural partner for an attacking midfield player, the one whose energy and understanding gave the attacker the freedom to do his stuff in relative safety. I've always believed in partnerships in football teams. Up front, in midfield, at centre-back and at full-back.

People who compliment one another if you like.

Sometimes the less eyecatching member of a partnership would be a players player rather than a fans player. To me Teejay was always that. But we may have seen him on different days. And anyway it is all history now.

Time to look forward from Teejay to Jayjay cos I'm told we'll have a particularly promising new name in our Academy/Reserves ranks next season but so far I know next-to nothing about him, not even where he comes from or what position he plays. Just turned 15. Name of Jorrin John apparently.

[Jonbluefox9]

I didn't intend to give the impression we should keep him. I mentioned some weeks ago that with Weso, King, Porter all being able to play central midfield plus any seniors we have available shortly, I couldn't see how he was likely to progress.

Not sure about your last point though. I truly believe that some players might not look good but have a surprisingly positive effect on teams - Simon Grayson is a recently talked-off example, Peter Reid was another and Neil Lennon a third.

None were what you'd call spectacular or eyecatching players but they had this effect of being able to hold things together both personally and collectively.

Others might catch the eye more easily but the team performance is so often lacking - like Gareth Williams and Ryan Smith for example.

In assessing players I would always consider results with them and without them and the team performance with/without as well.

It's funny you didn't really rate him. I always felt he was a natural partner for an attacking midfield player, the one whose energy and understanding gave him the attacker the freedom to do his stuff in relative safety. I've always believed in partnerships in football teams. Up front, in midfield, at centre-back and at full-back.

People who compliment one another if you like.

Sometimes the less eyecatching member of a partnership would be a players player rather than a fans player. To me Teejay was always that. But we may have seen him on different days. And anyway it is all history now.

Time to look forward from Teejay to Jayjay cos I'm told we'll have a particularly promising new name in our Academy/Reserves ranks next season but so far I know next-to nothing about him, not even where he comes from or what position he plays. Just turned 15. Name of Jorrin John apparently.

My point is that the under 18s performance as a team should be looked at secondly after looking at individuals. Sometimes players can be made to look better than they are by the players around them. I would say you could've put Lennon in a midfield with no Muzzy Izzet and he'd still contribute to the game in some way. Put Tejan-Sie in a midfield with no King or any other creative midfielder and I don't think he'd have much of an impact on a game.

[Thracian]

My point is that the under 18s performance as a team should be looked at secondly after looking at individuals. Sometimes players can be made to look better than they are by the players around them. I would say you could've put Lennon in a midfield with no Muzzy Izzet and he'd still contribute to the game in some way. Put Tejan-Sie in a midfield with no King or any other creative midfielder and I don't think he'd have much of an impact on a game.

With Lennon - especially in his younger days - he's would have been the near-perfect players player because his presence and rock-solid ability to read a game would always make it easy for people about him.

He was always the master of the simple things, reliable and easy to understand. A reassuring guy to have around and someone who would give everyone confidence.

I don't know that I'd ever put Teejay in a midfield without an attacking partner. I saw the consequences of that sort of approach in the first team under Kelly. I agree he wouldn't have much effect if I did but he certainly respionds to a role where he compliments others - at least when I watched.

Wesolowski, assuming he can stay fit, will be like that. He's another who makes a strength of doing simple things well and would be so easy to play alongside. You'd make the run, he'd give you the ball. Simplicity itself.

For all that he'll still face a challenge just getting in the team this season.

[Jay]

Grantham town are looking for new players we have a history of signing ex acadamy lads from Leicester including some who actually made an appearance in the first team like Stuart Wilson!! I am sure he could get a game if he wanted.

in a ruthless fashion I couldn't care less if we have released him, you have to be cruel in this business which is what it is!! theres a massive gap between being a good youth player and a full time pro you can produce a massive list of excellent youth teamers who don't make the grade

you have to draw the line somewhere so goodbye, good luck