Ric Flair Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 STEARMAN LEADING THE YOUTH BRIGADE Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list After Richard Stearman's impressive first start for Leicester City, there could be more where he came from - but only if the team hits a winning streak. The 17-year-old Stearman was pressed into service as an emergency right-back in the absence of Chris Makin in the defeat by Reading and, while he was left out of Friday's draw at Forest, his promotion to senior level underlines boss Craig Levein's eagerness to get some young blood on the scene. His first sight of City at Cardiff prompted the misgivings that there was a distinct lack of younger players coming through the ranks. Levein missed Stearman's appearance off the bench at Ninian Park as the manager-elect had already left, but he immediately noted down that an influx of youth was a priority. But he also knows that he must try to handle the juggling act of short-term results with long-term team building. He said: "There is a lot of work to be done on that side of things. "There are one or two other youngsters that might have possibilities and it is something we want to beef up to give us more strength in depth in the youth teams, not just the under-18s but the sides below that in the weeks, months and, possibly, years to come. "When I arrived, Richard Stearman was one they all talked about and we see him more as a full-back than centre-back where he is less likely to be out-muscled. He is certainly a good user of the ball, he has got potential. "Stephen Dawson has been in and around the squad because we like his attitude, he is a bit of a terrier, and Alan Sheehan, a left-back, has done quite well. "As we start to look and recognise a bit more we see more there to work with. "What we need to do now is try to focus our attention on these lads and try to improve them. "We still do not have strength in depth. These three I have mentioned are below Jordan Stewart's age of 22 and that is not a lot for a club this size and it is something we will be looking to improve on." More breakthroughs might have to wait until City are in their stride and gaining more consistent results. Levein said: "Generally, I like to put in the younger players when the team is on a high and the others round about them are settled in their positions. So it would be a bonus if we get a good run going because then we can have a look at these sort of things. "At the moment, it was more through necessity that Stearman played rather than us thinking he was desperately knocking at the door ready to play. "We took a chance and it worked from the point of view that he did not let us down, which encourages me to have him around and maybe to put him in again if need be." Let's just say I might of had something to do with this being published
Steven Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 If the comments by CL in this article don't cheer up Pet Rescue, then nothing will. :w00t:
davieG Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Well done then It's nice to know what CL's thoughts are
davieG Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Thanks Hoof, Early days but he seems to me to be the best manager we could ever have hoped for in our position, I don't just mean his tactical and managerial abilities, it's just that he empathises with the fans.
Ric Flair Posted 22 December 2004 Author Posted 22 December 2004 Thanks Hoof,Early days but he seems to me to be the best manager we could ever have hoped for in our position, I don't just mean his tactical and managerial abilities, it's just that he empathises with the fans. 48757[/snapback] Everything about him seems astute. He's the kind of manager who isn't happy, he always wants to improve. Won't settle for second best, it's like he's always got unfinished business and that's what stands out about him. He won't get carried away, he'll just keep battling away until he achieves what he wants to achieve with Leicester. Happy days ahead in my opinion.
Scow Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Well done Hoof, excellent stuff. I'm glad he's recognised Dawson, all we can hope is that we have a good run over the Christmas period, which will allow the likes of him and Stearman more first team opportunities.
Muz Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 I dont think it will be long til Dawson gets a chance
TrickyTrev Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 I see there was no mention of Tommy Wright at all in there, I take it from that Levein does not rate him. It appears he has a sensible approach to youth policy and hopefulyl we will bear the fruits of that because we really should develop more young players.
Mark Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 It's alright saying what the fans (especially me) want to hear. But the fact is, the age of the starting 11 has increased since he arrived. The center backs combined age is older than my Grandma, and come Boxing Day we'll have his star buy Scott Gemmill pretending to be a left winger. It's been 4 years of shit squads and no excitement, i can't see it changing soon personally, he says, we need to go on a winning streak, means nothing. It just means the useless old bastards keep their place and probably earn a new contract!
TrickyTrev Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 It's alright saying what the fans (especially me) want to hear. But the fact is, the age of the starting 11 has increased since he arrived. The center backs combined age is older than my Grandma, and come Boxing Day we'll have his star buy Scott Gemmill on the left wing.It's been 4 years of shit squads and no excitement, i can't see it changing soon personally, he says, we need to go on a winning streak, means nothing. It just means the useless old bastards keep their place and probably earn a new contract! 48784[/snapback] Petrescu, what actually can he do about an aging starting 11 over a sustained period of time. Do you actually want him to drop Keown and Dublin for somebody who is clearly not good enough like Heath just because they are younger? Gemmill has been (over) used as a utility player when we have injuries and is not in the first choice starting 11 and other than that the only real change he has made is brinigning in 24 year old Stuart taylor to replae 35 year old Kevin Pressman. In this time Dawson has been in the squad and Stearman has started a match. I agree with you that we need to reduce the age of the squad, but you do not do this in one giant swipe otherwise there would be disastarous short an dlong term consequences. The correct policy is slow intergration and fromt he interview and from his actions it appears that this is the policy Levein is adopting. You brin in youth players to help your team mot despite of your team. <_<
Mark Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Him playing Gemmill week in week out is a disgrace. I'm fully behind the man, but that is just beyond a joke. He's a useless player, he has been for years. He gave Stearman a start because he had no other right back, not because he wanted to help his development and reduce the age of the team. Dawson has been on the bench and not came on when he should have (2-0 up at Leeds in the 90th minute - "oh i'll throw injured Gareth Williams on instead, and drop Dawson off the bench for the next game) Little things like that indicates to me he is holding them back even more than they already have been under Adams. Stearman and Dawson would help the team, its not a giant step. Derby took a giant step, well they couldnt afford to pay old bastards wages so lucky them, they suffered for a season but look at them now, above us with a younger team. Thats one way of getting rid of the deadwood, god knows when we will.
Muz Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 CL has not been in the job long he is still getting a fell for the squad and still sizing up the youngsters. To be fair he has a lot of crap in the sqaud and at the minute he is doing what he can with what he has got. Next season if Dawson and co are not in the picture then say what is CL doing but at the minute he can only work with the crap he has got. Patience is the key my friends
TrickyTrev Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Him playing Gemmill week in week out is a disgrace. I'm fully behind the man, but that is just beyond a joke. He's a useless player, he has been for years. He gave Stearman a start because he had no other right back, not because he wanted to help his development and reduce the age of the team. Dawson has been on the bench and not came on when he should have (2-0 up at Leeds in the 90th minute - "oh i'll throw injured Gareth Williams on instead, and drop Dawson off the bench for the next game) Little things like that indicates to me he is holding them back even more than they already have been under Adams. Stearman and Dawson would help the team, its not a giant step. Derby took a giant step, well they couldnt afford to pay old bastards wages so lucky them, they suffered for a season but look at them now, above us with a younger team. Thats one way of getting rid of the deadwood, god knows when we will. 48791[/snapback] They nearly got relegated last season, is that a risk you are willing to take? Now they are left with just an average championship side and they will be forced to sell their best players (Lee Holmes and Tom Huddlestone) anding htem right back at square one. If you make mass chnages this is what will happen to us, it is important we bring thought he players but not for the sake of it. I don't think Stearman would improve our team in central defence, Keown and Dublin are both former international centre backs and are both playing quite well at the moment. As levein has pointed out Stearman is very lightweight at the moment to be considered for that position.
Ric Flair Posted 22 December 2004 Author Posted 22 December 2004 I'll think you'll find that whilst it's up in the air regarding promotion Levein is in limbo on what to do about the team as he has said in this article. I think he'll change his plan soon and put some of the youngsters and i'll tell you why. If we keep in the hunt for a play-off place and are looking good, he'll keep his word and try some of the youngsters. That might only be done sparingly but he'll still want to try some of them. Or if we continue to perform like we have been doing, we'll be out of the play-off picture before too long and Levein won't hesitate in throwing Stearman and Dawson in to the team. They will play soon, I think Levein is unsure about what to do. But throwing these two in won't make things any worse and he needs to realise this. As for Gemmill, he's just shit.
Ric Flair Posted 22 December 2004 Author Posted 22 December 2004 By the way, Stearman and Porter are playing for England Under 19's tonight against Scotland and it's on sky.
emmalcfc Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 England under 18's. 6 o' clock kick off. Sky sports one.
dan_84 Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Does anyone know what Dane Austin is like now? I was at Leicester as a 15 year old goalkeeper when he joined as a 12 or 13 year old and the lad was brilliant.
davieG Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 England under 18's. 6 o' clock kick off. Sky sports one. 48801[/snapback] Are they playing ?
emmalcfc Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Yes 1-0 to England. Stearmans not in the squad, but Porter is on the bench, so hopefully he'll be coming on in the second half.
davieG Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Yes 1-0 to England. Stearmans not in the squad, but Porter is on the bench, so hopefully he'll be coming on in the second half. 48835[/snapback] Thanks for that Emma, I'd just got the squad of the FAs site but it didn't say if Porter was playing. Squad Ben Alnwick Sunderland Nathan Ashton Charlton Athletic Fraizer Campbell Manchester United Nathan Doyle Derby County Chris James Fulham Joe Lewis Norwich City Lee Martin Manchester United Mark Noble West Ham United Ben Park Leeds United Shane Paul Aston Villa Levi Porter Leicester City Kyel Reid West Ham United Gary Roberts Crewe Paul Huntington Newcastle United James Walker Charlton Athletic David Wheater Middlesbrough Paul Green Aston Villa Lionel Ainsworth Derby County Any significance in the absence of an Arsenal player ?
emmalcfc Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Porter came on in about the 70th minute. He had a great game. He came very close with a volley, which was a great strike. He then had another good chance at goal about 20 seconds later. He was getting in great interceptions, and once again for a small lad, he was great in the air. Also from throw-ins, he was getting himself into space, and seemed to always be shouting for the ball.
chambo_9 Posted 22 December 2004 Posted 22 December 2004 Porter is amazing! for a small lad he is built like a brick **** house! he can just spark a game up with abit of magic but the only thing that will stop him gettin in the first time is his size but personally i think he is just as gd technically as n e player in the first team!
Ric Flair Posted 23 December 2004 Author Posted 23 December 2004 Stearman is either injured or in the squad for sunday because he was originally in this under 18 squad. Can anyone shed any light on it?
Cobbo Posted 23 December 2004 Posted 23 December 2004 Stearman is either injured or in the squad for sunday because he was originally in this under 18 squad.Can anyone shed any light on it? 48968[/snapback] I imagine he may have been withdrawn by CL with this busy period of games coming up..? I expect he will be in the squad a couple of times at least.
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