Development/Youth Squads 2021/2022 Thread

[Webbo]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

My only argument with this is clubs are reluctant to take our players on loan under the age of 20. So then what? They stagnate in our U23's until clubs are willing to take them on loan? 

 

We've had scouts from European clubs at our U23 games this season, if there's a sniff of quicker 1st team football at a high level then some of these might take the plunge and that would be frustrating.

 

I don't know what we can do better to get these loan moves for our best 17-19 year old players, maybe it will be different this summer as this current crop really are talented and highly regarded. However if we still struggle to get them a move and we don't have European football then we're not going to have many opportunities to play them unless Rodgers maintains this horrendous injury problem and even then he'll play the system and get games called off instead.

If they're good enough for our first team, they're good enough to play in the championship/league 1/2 and there'll be plenty of teams wanting to loan them.

 

There's no point in just playing youngsters for the sake of it.

[Ric Flair]

3 minutes ago, Webbo said:

If they're good enough for our first team, they're good enough to play in the championship/league 1/2 and there'll be plenty of teams wanting to loan them.

 

There's no point in just playing youngsters for the sake of it.

I agree with that last point but not necessarily with the 1st point, teams seldom take 17-19 year olds on loan. Why? 

[Tommy Fresh]

4 minutes ago, Webbo said:

If they're good enough for our first team, they're good enough to play in the championship/league 1/2 and there'll be plenty of teams wanting to loan them.

 

There's no point in just playing youngsters for the sake of it.

Being good enough to get a bit of game time with us doesn't necessarily mean they'll flourish playing lower down.

[Tommy Fresh]

1 minute ago, Ric Flair said:

I agree with that last point but not necessarily with the 1st point, teams seldom take 17-19 year olds on loan. Why? 

Down at League One and Two level it's very much outside that elite level bubble. In terms of personal development it would no doubt be good for them, but if you were a manager of one of those sides would you want an 18 year old from a prem club coming up against some of the physicality at that level. 

[sacreblueits442]

27 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Your son has got a keen eye for Flair, good lad.

....don't think that came out right......!!!

[Ric Flair]

1 minute ago, sacreblueits442 said:

....don't think that came out right......!!!

Eh?

[Ric Flair]

6 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Down at League One and Two level it's very much outside that elite level bubble. In terms of personal development it would no doubt be good for them, but if you were a manager of one of those sides would you want an 18 year old from a prem club coming up against some of the physicality at that level. 

I can see why they'd convince themselves not to, but if they were offered that player on a free transfer I could guarantee they'd snap your hand off and play them. I genuinely think League One and Two clubs take ayers on loan purely as a last resort under the guise of aiding player development.

[Tommy Fresh]

14 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I can see why they'd convince themselves not to, but if they were offered that player on a free transfer I could guarantee they'd snap your hand off and play them. I genuinely think League One and Two clubs take ayers on loan purely as a last resort under the guise of aiding player development.

Contractually owning a player would obviously change their perception. Firstly they'd make money on them, secondly the player is playing for their livelihood. 

[Stadt]

14 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I can see why they'd convince themselves not to, but if they were offered that player on a free transfer I could guarantee they'd snap your hand off and play them. I genuinely think League One and Two clubs take ayers on loan purely as a last resort under the guise of aiding player development.

Championship, L1 & L2 teams play an absurd amount of games. It gets a bit lost when the likes of Klopp moan that most professional teams in england play a minimum of 50+ games.

 

For L2 sides picking up a couple of loanees and paying very little in wages helps them fill their squads in a low risk manner. I'd hope we'll have learnt lessons from this January and make sure the loans we arrange are more suitable and/or we're stringent with the clauses meaning they play much more.

[Burbagefox89]

53 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Your son has got a keen eye for Flair, good lad.

He’s only 7 and he’s on here constantly checking who you recommended! He’s basically your prodigy 😂 he’s assured me Sammy Braybrooke is going to be a future captain and Youri replacement too. And that’s before you get me started on his knowledge of the Belgian and Dutch wonderkids! 😂

[Kinowe Soorie]

11 hours ago, Burbagefox89 said:

Happened to go to this last night and was really impressed with the quality. My son has an unhealthy obsession with Will Alves since his cup appearance so I watched him like a hawk all game, he played slightly deeper against United but the lad clearly has tons of ability his quality was there for all to see. My boy had been holding his Alves shirt up at the start of the game and we didn’t think it had even caught his eye but come the end of the game low and behold he ran straight over with purpose to where we were sitting and had a little chat with him, a photo and signed his shirt! Was really impressed with him he’s clearly got a good head on his shoulders and hopefully we will see him in the first team over the coming years to come. I don’t know who was more in shock though my son or Will Alves with the fact someone had his shirt and was hoping to get it signed! 😂

That is fantastic!

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

How did Popov do? Did he play as a central striker?

 

Physically he looks like he could play first team now.

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

9 hours ago, Stadt said:

Championship, L1 & L2 teams play an absurd amount of games. It gets a bit lost when the likes of Klopp moan that most professional teams in england play a minimum of 50+ games.

 

For L2 sides picking up a couple of loanees and paying very little in wages helps them fill their squads in a low risk manner. I'd hope we'll have learnt lessons from this January and make sure the loans we arrange are more suitable and/or we're stringent with the clauses meaning they play much more.

I hope we are trying to build relationships with clubs, especially those near us. I think it's a lot easier to alleviate some of the "teen" concerns if a 18-year-old player is in Northampton, for example, than in Bristol. If we build relationships with the clubs they play our loanees, and stop dealing with those that don't (without good reason, and good relationships mean good communication), we can hopefully build a pipeline of development that benefits all the clubs involved.

[davieG]

13 hours ago, Burbagefox89 said:

Happened to go to this last night and was really impressed with the quality. My son has an unhealthy obsession with Will Alves since his cup appearance so I watched him like a hawk all game, he played slightly deeper against United but the lad clearly has tons of ability his quality was there for all to see. My boy had been holding his Alves shirt up at the start of the game and we didn’t think it had even caught his eye but come the end of the game low and behold he ran straight over with purpose to where we were sitting and had a little chat with him, a photo and signed his shirt! Was really impressed with him he’s clearly got a good head on his shoulders and hopefully we will see him in the first team over the coming years to come. I don’t know who was more in shock though my son or Will Alves with the fact someone had his shirt and was hoping to get it signed! 😂

It's good to be reminded that there are plenty of 'decent' lads/men in football. Let's hope he stays that way and is not corrupted by agents and hangers on.

[los dedos]

9 hours ago, Burbagefox89 said:

He’s only 7 and he’s on here constantly checking who you recommended! He’s basically your prodigy 😂 he’s assured me Sammy Braybrooke is going to be a future captain and Youri replacement too. And that’s before you get me started on his knowledge of the Belgian and Dutch wonderkids! 😂

Tell him not to put any money on @Ric Flair advice. I've got a long wait until the bookies pay out on Taveres becoming a £70M player 😏 🤣

[Ric Flair]

9 hours ago, Burbagefox89 said:

He’s only 7 and he’s on here constantly checking who you recommended! He’s basically your prodigy 😂 he’s assured me Sammy Braybrooke is going to be a future captain and Youri replacement too. And that’s before you get me started on his knowledge of the Belgian and Dutch wonderkids! 😂

Hahahahahahahahaaaaaa 

[Ric Flair]

30 minutes ago, Chocolate Teapot said:

How did Popov do? Did he play as a central striker?

 

Physically he looks like he could play first team now.

A few of us weren't that impressed with him when we destroyed Bournemouth in the FA Youth Cup buy its clear he's got a lot of attributes and he was involved in almost every goal in some fashion.

 

I'm keen to hear how he looked the other night. He was a right winger but has now been converted to striker I think both at club and for country.

[Jabfox]

1 hour ago, Chocolate Teapot said:

How did Popov do? Did he play as a central striker?

 

Physically he looks like he could play first team now.

I thought he played well. didn't do a great deal with the ball, but his work rate and constant harassing of the UTD back line off the ball was impressive. Makes selfless runs and seems to be a team player, well built for his age as well which is always a bonus imo. 

 

You could hear parents sat near me telling there lads to watch the number 9 as he never stops running, 

 

This was my first time seeing him live, I have seen clips of him playing out wide I believe? not sure what his best potion is tbf but good to have that versatility 

[sacreblueits442]

20 hours ago, coolhandfox said:

Yes, its been a really shame seeing Mcateer, Wakeling get about 90 minutes in 3 months.

 

I can't see may of the younger ones going out, like Alves, Braybrooke or Nelson going out. But hopefully we will see some of the other older ones get out there. Be nice to see how the like of Maswanhise, Wanya Marca, Wormleighton, Brunt get on in men's football.

 

You like to think 2 of Stolarczyk, Young or Odunze will go on loan. 

 

Surely we will see the likes of DVC, Eppiah and Leshabela move on, not sure what will happen to Wright and Hirst. 

 

Need to hope we get some really easy draws in the L cup.

 

Be interesting to see the impact of McGuiness and a new loans manager has on that side of things, do we know who is coming in to replace Guy Branston. 

 

Was Guy pushed? 

 

 

.. if Wormleighton goes out on loan, whoever has him, will want to keep him!!!

  At the lower leagues you need someone who can compete and be strong enough to cope with the physicality of the game. He loves to go forward, but moreover solid in doing his duties.

[Ric Flair]

11 minutes ago, sacreblueits442 said:

.. if Wormleighton goes out on loan, whoever has him, will want to keep him!!!

  At the lower leagues you need someone who can compete and be strong enough to cope with the physicality of the game. He loves to go forward, but moreover solid in doing his duties.

Agreed, I'd not be surprised to see him in the 1st team reckoning within 18 months. If we get him a loan deal in the summer then he'll quickly progress.

[Oldblueyes]

Talking of loanees to league 1 and after reading Pompey's forum,  George Hirst has failed to impress that much by the supporters. He is not strong enough, does not read the game and always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, which for a striker is not good. Shame that, he looks as though obscurity is only around the corner for him on his return to the club at the end of the season.

[ALC Fox]

10 minutes ago, Oldblueyes said:

Talking of loanees to league 1 and after reading Pompey's forum,  George Hirst has failed to impress that much by the supporters. He is not strong enough, does not read the game and always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, which for a striker is not good. Shame that, he looks as though obscurity is only around the corner for him on his return to the club at the end of the season.

Thought things had picked up for him and he was having a good spell at Portsmouth now?

[moore_94]

4 minutes ago, ALC Fox said:

Thought things had picked up for him and he was having a good spell at Portsmouth now?

Had a 6 game game run where he got 6 goals and 1 assist

 

Kinda dropped off a bit the last few games again

[ALC Fox]

5 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Had a 6 game game run where he got 6 goals and 1 assist

 

Kinda dropped off a bit the last few games again

4 games without a goal is no crisis for a young player though is it. (Sorry, that comes across as more antagonistic than intended ) Danny Cowley was singing his praises before that. If he continues showing application and bags a few more before the end of the season, I think we could do a deal with them if not someone else in that division.

Edited 6 April 2022 by ALC Fox

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

19 minutes ago, Oldblueyes said:

Talking of loanees to league 1 and after reading Pompey's forum,  George Hirst has failed to impress that much by the supporters. He is not strong enough, does not read the game and always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, which for a striker is not good. Shame that, he looks as though obscurity is only around the corner for him on his return to the club at the end of the season.

He has been hit-and-miss there, but is getting games. If he scores a few more goals for them, I think they might be interested in a permanent move.