Rubbersoul

Alves started well. Seeing a lot of the ball. Just had a big chance inside the box and really should’ve done better

I can’t believe he’s only 27

Bit of #Alveswatch tonight. Good to see Wilson-Brown back he was having a very positive loan for Swindon

I know we were down to 10 but that second half at their place the other year was genuinely VILE. Saying that, weren’t we fairly comfortable until someone made a mistake? I have tried to block that game out of my mind.

Sounds like he’s got a great mentality

Can see Winks, Faes & Soumare going. Daka going would be nice too but that would leave us with 0 strikers which is probably actually an upgrade

Side point but I swear Swindon get shafted all the time by players they’ve got on loan being recalled mid season

I knew we’d get Southampton. Just never mentioned it

I wasn’t trying to have a pop at you or anything! I get why you left them out

To be fair Choudhury & Thomas have also played regular Prem football. Even played in a cup final. I know no one rates them now but that’s another 2 who have played at that level.

If we can keep producing players that end up as solid Championship players I’d see that as a success

I’ve watched a few Falkirk games and looks physical, decent ball carrier & passing range. Scored a great goal against Rangers. I like him but he just feels like someone that’ll be let go.

I can see Braybrooke becoming a Championship level midfielder. I don’t think it’s that unrealistic of a prediction. Especially when you look at some of the crap in this league. Predicting what’ll happen to academy prospects is so difficult because there’s so many different factors. You have to consider some guys develop later as well. At the moment we have plenty of 16/17/18 year olds that look exciting but so hard to say

It’s more we’ve fallen to the depth that Lyndon Dykes can be seen as a realistic link these days

The fact this can even be a link it’s pretty humbling whether it’s bollocks or not. Life under the nepo baby.

Yeah was literally just checking and realised it was Cooper! It ended in October 2024. Was a 288 game run going back to 2018!

Didnt we have a really long record of having at least 1 academy player in the squad until it ended whilst Maresca was here? Can see us having a similar type of run going again

It’s another one of those things where it’s really not a huge deal but also like really? He’s our greatest ever player!

My post wasn’t so much about Evans & Hutchinson. I meant more about academy players in general and finding the process on how clubs decide who’s ready for senior football interesting

This is genuinely insane. For a second senior start I thought it was a really encouraging performance but perhaps that’s just me. These people aren’t even worth engaging with. I bet you it’ll be because he got sent off against Southampton. They’ve made their minds up on him because of that.

That’s the spirit!

He’s very good at League one level but think his body is starting to fail him

I’d love to hear from someone who’s actually involved what they’re thinking is when it comes to who to promote and how they know they’re ready. It’s fascinating really! There must be so many talented youngsters who have missed their chance. I imagine a lot of it comes down to good timing. I think Luke Thomas is a good example of this. Came into the side when we were absolutely flying so his limitations were perhaps not exposed.

Grimsby at home please

Elliott Moore signs for Northampton. Was a huge player for Oxford last few seasons but think he’s struggled with injuries recently