Development/Youth Squads 2025/2026 Thread - U18/U21

[Jimmy]

17 minutes ago, Noahfence said:

Don’t think any of them are particularly natural strikers are they?

 

Evans certainly isn’t a striker

if you listen to people like @Ric Flair they seem to think he is

[Noahfence]

8 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

if you listen to people like @Ric Flair they seem to think he is

Fair enough I always thought he was more suited off the left. 

[Ric Flair]

21 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

They have handled Monga, Evans and Page pretty well so there could be a reason.

Good completely against what we've tried to do since Nyoni left. Which is get thr very best 16/17 year olds in the U21s and give them a closer pathway to the 1st team.

 

Hutchinson was very good for the U18s last season, theres nothing more for him to do at that level. I'm surprised he's signed a pro deal with us to be honest.

[Ric Flair]

20 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

if you listen to people like @Ric Flair they seem to think he is

Not me pal, I think he's better suited as a winger or behind the striker.

[honeybradger]

3 hours ago, Jimmy said:

Kian Pennant literally played their last game and they still have Richards and Popov not forgetting Evans will need game time too

It was Otchere up front in the last u21 game. He wasnt particularly impressive.

 

Strange as Hutchinson played striker for the u18s ahead of him last season.

[ramadaone]

U16's beat Villa 4-3

 

Arguably a more impressive victory than the u18's considering Villas prowess at that age group and the money they have spent

 

 

[Jimmy]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Not me pal, I think he's better suited as a winger or behind the striker.

Could have sworn you said that, must have been someone else on here

[Noahfence]

23 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

Could have sworn you said that, must have been someone else on here

My point wasn’t so much the u21s don’t have a striker (or someone who can play there) it was more that they don’t have an out and out regular striker. 
 

Also realise you have to be patient with these kids. 

[Jimmy]

25 minutes ago, Noahfence said:

My point wasn’t so much the u21s don’t have a striker (or someone who can play there) it was more that they don’t have an out and out regular striker. 
 

Also realise you have to be patient with these kids. 

maybe its a physicality thing, baring in mind I've never seen the lad let alone seen him play, they might not thing he is physically ready for the step up yet

[Ric Flair]

9 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

maybe its a physicality thing, baring in mind I've never seen the lad let alone seen him play, they might not thing he is physically ready for the step up yet

I highly doubt it's that

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, ramadaone said:

U16's beat Villa 4-3

 

Arguably a more impressive victory than the u18's considering Villas prowess at that age group and the money they have spent

 

 

Any of the U16s you'd tip to have a big future here?

[Foxdiamond]

Did the tribunal ever settle the fee for Nyoni ?

[Jimmy]

13 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

Did the tribunal ever settle the fee for Nyoni ?

we got 3 acorns and a button

[Foxdiamond]

Just now, Jimmy said:

we got 3 acorns and a button

Paid over 3 years

[honeybradger]

46 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

maybe its a physicality thing, baring in mind I've never seen the lad let alone seen him play, they might not thing he is physically ready for the step up yet

He's pretty big. He came off the bench for the u21s and did well the other week so he has in part 'made the step up'. For some reason he's still getting grouped with the u18s though.

 

Getting a hattrick won't have harmed his development though but he is at a risk of stagnating.

[Lesta2014]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Any of the U16s you'd tip to have a big future here?

There was a good central midfielder when I saw them play, fully forgot his name! Motsi is u16 age wise too! 

[davieG]

Reiss Khela Announces his first pro deal via IG📲

‘A very proud day signing my first professional contract’ 

Reiss Singh Khela has signed a professional contract with the club 

The 18 year-old defender has made 40+ appearances in youth league.

[MGsDad]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Any of the U16s you'd tip to have a big future here?

Darren Motsi, Cristian Boothe are the 2 which are both on for Scholar at the mo. There's a couple of others but too early to tell. The 2 keepers and a couple from U15 to watch out for too. 

[AjcW]

On 13/09/2025 at 12:52, Ric Flair said:

How is he still in the U18s??? Doing my head in now this is. Stupidity.

21’s not playing until Friday so no reason he can’t do both? 

[1972 Fox]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Any of the U16s you'd tip to have a big future here?

Don't expect a reply.

[Mungongo]

2 hours ago, AjcW said:

21’s not playing until Friday so no reason he can’t do both? 

They play Wealdstone on Tuesday night.

[st albans fox]

12 minutes ago, Mungongo said:

They play Wealdstone on Tuesday night.

Good info

might pop down to that 

[ramadaone]

On 14/09/2025 at 18:09, Ric Flair said:

Any of the U16s you'd tip to have a big future here?

Other than Motsi no

 

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, ramadaone said:

Other than Motsi no

 

And any that you tip to have a big future elsewhere? 😂

[ramadaone]

On 14/09/2025 at 20:40, 1972 Fox said:

Don't expect a reply.

You want me to sit here all day just waiting to reply to pricks like you