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

[moore_94]

Under 18s won 2-1 with a late winner, now up to 3rd

 

Lorenz Hutchinson shouldn't be playing in the under 18s anymore, way too good for that level

 

 

 

[Jimmy]

7 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Makes zero sense that Wanya is now on there ahead of him. Marcal will be released on a free in 6 months.

Wayna there as an option at 10?

[Ric Flair]

21 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

Wayna there as an option at 10?

Can't stay fit for longer than 3 months in the last 3-4 seasons. Will be released on a free in 6 months.

[UniFox21]

Just now, Ric Flair said:

Can't stay fit for longer than 3 months in the last 3-4 seasons. Will be released on a free in 6 months.

Making it even more laughable he got on the pitch 

[Rubbersoul]

18 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Can't stay fit for longer than 3 months in the last 3-4 seasons. Will be released on a free in 6 months.

I’d love to know the reasoning for him suddenly being involved again. I know that sounds harsh but it’s a bit odd

[Rubbersoul]

 

[TommyK]

This fella deserves a chance more than Evans does. 

[kenny]

2 hours ago, Rubbersoul said:

 

That kid is a monster.

[Rubbersoul]

20 minutes ago, TommyK said:

This fella deserves a chance more than Evans does. 

They’re the same age as well. Not sure if people are aware of that 

[moore_94]

25 minutes ago, TommyK said:

This fella deserves a chance more than Evans does. 

Evans has done way more at under 21 level so far and would be more deserving of the chance

[Ric Flair]

30 minutes ago, TommyK said:

This fella deserves a chance more than Evans does. 

Hutchinson definitely should be in the U21s but people forget what Evans was doing at 16 in the U21s last season. He scored and assisted similar to Nwaneri at the same age and no other 16/17 year old has got close to those numbers in recent years. Doesn't guarantee they're ready for first team but i'm very surprised he's getting less 1st team football at a lower level under Cifuentes than he was a year ago under Ruud.

 

Baffling.

[Jimmy]

if Hutchinson is an out and out striker then he probably should get a chance over Evans who I thought was more of a winger

[moore_94]

1 minute ago, Jimmy said:

if Hutchinson is an out and out striker then he probably should get a chance over Evans who I thought was more of a winger

Evans plays upfront or as a winger

 

This season when playing for the under 21s he has been most effective upfront

[Rubbersoul]

15 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Hutchinson definitely should be in the U21s but people forget what Evans was doing at 16 in the U21s last season. He scored and assisted similar to Nwaneri at the same age and no other 16/17 year old has got close to those numbers in recent years. Doesn't guarantee they're ready for first team but i'm very surprised he's getting less 1st team football at a lower level under Cifuentes than he was a year ago under Ruud.

 

Baffling.

Na the game was crying out for Jordan Ayew. Surely you could see that! 

[honeybradger]

3 hours ago, Rubbersoul said:

 

His goal tally is impressive but his link up play is almost equally as impressive.

 

Such a well rounded striker for his age.

Edited 10 January by honeybradger

[Ryy]

 

[Ric Flair]

30 minutes ago, honeybradger said:

His goal tally is impressive but his link up play is almost equally as impressive.

 

Such a well rounded striker for his age.

@ramadaone suggested his all round game is not there yet, which is why he is still in the U18s. But that level is clearly far too easy for him, like it was last season and I don't see how that helps polish the rest of his game. Surely that needs to be by being tested at better levels.

[BKLFox]

47 minutes ago, Ryy said:

 

And yet !!!

[Long Eaton Fox]

People calling for Evans starting, have you ever seen him play.  Monga  silko Fatawu Mavadidi are in front of him according to Marti.  Aluko has done ok, page has improved since August  and now challenging for a place. They see him everyday and we have to accept their judgements.

[Long Eaton Fox]

I remember Gary  lineker in his first season. Second stunning 

[Ric Flair]

3 minutes ago, Long Eaton Fox said:

People calling for Evans starting, have you ever seen him play.  Monga  silko Fatawu Mavadidi are in front of him according to Marti.  Aluko has done ok, page has improved since August  and now challenging for a place. They see him everyday and we have to accept their judgements.

Yes, in excess of 10-15 times. We dont have to accept his judgements as he's already proven to have made errors. See Nelson as the biggest example.

 

I no longer gamble, but I am certain that Jake Evans will have a much better career than Silko Thomas as well. 

[Long Eaton Fox]

Hi Ric. So who's judgement do we take. Yours or a professional manager who works with the players 24/7.

[The_Rorab]

17 minutes ago, Long Eaton Fox said:

Hi Ric. So who's judgement do we take. Yours or a professional manager who works with the players 24/7.

So you believe every manager is always correct with their judgement on a player every single time ever?

 

I'm not even saying Ric is right that Evans is good enough to start, but if you truly believe Marti's or any manager's judgement to be infallible in player evaluation then that's definitely a choice.

[honeybradger]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

@ramadaone suggested his all round game is not there yet, which is why he is still in the U18s. But that level is clearly far too easy for him, like it was last season and I don't see how that helps polish the rest of his game. Surely that needs to be by being tested at better levels.

Well that's clearly nonsense because Hutchinson has already played U21s football this season and showed he can play well at that level even when not on the scoresheet.

 

Think someone like Vardy, he's not always involved but when he is he usually makes the right decision.

[studentofthegame]

29 minutes ago, Long Eaton Fox said:

Hi Ric. So who's judgement do we take. Yours or a professional manager who works with the players 24/7.

We know Cifuentes is woefully incompetent as a professional manager

 

The jury is still out on Ric so I will go for his