The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Whitley Hoops]

Anyone know the score so far?

[winchester_royal]

2-1 up at half time. Fridge and Samuel with the goals. Deserved lead, Staines are much bigger than our lads but we're playing it around them quite nicely.

Liam Kelly is the best player on the pitch. Stands out massively. Fridge looking a really decent player as well. Both seem to have come on over the summer. Hyam, Cooper, and Griffin looking classy at the back too. Fosu has been the big disappointment.

[Whitley Hoops]

At least we're winning and the youth's sound up for it.i didn't expect to win our first friendly game by a huge margin anyway the will be very rusty, so i'm pleased so far cheers for the update.

[ZacNaloen]

Cheers Winchester, nothing from the club feedc

[winchester_royal]

Odd that, given that half the crowd seem to be RFC staff.

All change for the second half, very young team now so dont be surprised if we end up losing.

[Whitley Hoops]

As long as they learn and progress i don't mind the youth's coming away from this game with a defeat (i'd prefer a win though) and as long as there is 0 injury's. we'll be needing the youth this season.

[winchester_royal]

Finished 2-1. More even second half, but still some good stuff played. Sheppard, Collins and Husin the stand outs from the second 45.

[ZacNaloen]

Thanks winch

[glass half full]

Thanks, Winch.

Wish I could have been there. I have high hopes for our young players.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Did the American guy play?

[Whitley Hoops]

Thanks for the updates you're more usefull than the official sources much appreciated.

[If you still hate Futcher]

That was a good run out for the youngsters

As winch said it was effectively 2 separate games with the older lads playing the 1st, which we pretty much dominated and took a deserved 2-0 lead before Staines pulled one back. Our first goal was a bit lucky with Fridge getting a toe to a Samuels shot to wrong foot the keeper but the 2nd was a well worked move from back to front working space for Samuels to shoot again, this time burying it in the corner. I didn't see their goal as I was getting a burger to avoid the half time "rush"

For me the stand out player was Griffin, he looked well organised both in defence and going forward and was often our out ball. Kelly was good too but Hyam looked a bit nervous from the start with the ball at his feet although he settled as the half went on.

The second half was more even although we started the brighter and worked some good moves, particularly down our left early on. As the half went on their physicality in midfield made it difficult to find space and they got on top for 20 minutes or so without making any real chances. But we saw that off and ended the stronger and even hit the post from one effort. The back for looked comfortable, especially Zac Jules.

In both halves we moved the ball well and everyone wanted to get it down and play and the younger lads in particular will have gained good experience from today.

The teams were:
1st (I think)
Henly, Owusu, Hyam, Cooper, Griffin, Kelly, Fridjonsson, Shaughnessy, Samuel, Vastuk, Fosu

2nd
Lincoln, Sheppard, Dickie, Jules, McLennan, Husin, Collins, Watson, Farewell, Lawal, Williams

[winchester_royal]

Did the American guy play?

Nope, Samuel was up front for the first half and was replaced by Cardwell.

Not going to make any sweeping statements on the back of their first 45 mins of the season, but a few random thoughts:
- Kelly is quality. I really hope he isn't held back by his size, because he's technically wonderful and seems to be several steps ahead of most on the pitch. We're blessed with two very exciting no. 10's in him and Tanner.
- The youngsters are very comfortable playing it from the back. The Staines lads were well up for it today and pressed high but the likes of Cooper and Dickie in particular impressed me with their composure with ball at feet.
- Sami Fridge looks a much more imposing player than I remember last season. Ran the midfield first half.
- We should have another decent U18 side this year. The core of Collins, Husin, and Cardwell is a very strong one. Didn't see enough of the wingers second half but hopefully Lawal will improve as the club seem to like him.
- Jake Sheppard is a very impressive young man. Strong, quick, technical, vocal.... Yeah, I like him a lot (no homo).
- Fosu will have to step it up if he wants to get anywhere near the first team squad.

[winchester_royal]

Yeah, Griffin was good. Captain for the day and impressed me more than he did at any point last season.

A fair few of the guys looked stronger than at end of last season which is a good sign.

[Ian Royal]

I thought Husin showed a lot of promise in the brief showings he got in the cup run.

Glad to hear things still looking good for the young'uns.

[shaka's shorts]

Good game. Griffin, Cooper, Fridj, Samuel we're stand outs first half. Fosu and Owusu not so good.

Second half team was

Lincoln
Shepherd. Dickie. Jules. McLennan
Collins. Watson. Husin.
Williams. Cardwell. Lawal.

Shepherd was my MoM. Very composed and great distribution. Dickie good but a bit too many attempts at the 50 yard worldly pass. Collins solid. Williams very dangerous on right wing. Cardwell linked really well.

[Ian Royal]

Tennai Watson in midfield?

[winchester_royal]

Yep, and looked lost tbh. Think it was mainly to accommodate Sheppard, who (at risk of repeating myself) looks a proper footballer.

[JordCot]

Watched a bit of Sheppard and Jules in that U17 tournament a while back, both looked decent enough in their age group. Although Sheppard was playing RM rather than RB

[shaka's shorts]

For amusement - if I was picking an 11 based on the 22 that played, this would have been the hybrid team:

Henley
Shepherd, Cooper, Dickie, Griffin
Fridjonssen, Collins, Kelly
Williams, Vastuk
Samuel