The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Nameless]

I think the ref warned Chelsea that the next bad tackle would get a yellow, and we were unlucky that we committed that foul !
He then seemed to book one of our players every time we put in a challenge.
Interesting to hear the penalty was outside, the ref had no idea and referred to his assistant who I don't think was actually in a good position to judge.

[Yellowcoat]

Suspect that all the officials may have been influenced by the fourth official Elliot Kaye who was the worst referee I have ever seen and surprised he is still getting appointments. The bad news is that that the referee in the match is the fourth official at Charlton this afternoon. Assessors not doing their jobs properly?

[Royals and Racers]

u18`s drew 1-1 at Norwich this morning in their final match before the league 2nd stage- 4 teams from south div and 4 teams from north div meet each other once( 7 games) in the top group and the team that finishes top of the mini-league are champions.
teams are Chelsea, Reading, Fulham, West Ham, Man City, Everton, Liverpool and Blackburn

The Royals U18`S start the 2nd phase this Saturday -home to Everton.
they have 4 home - Everton, Man city, Blackburn and Fulham and 3 away Liverpool, Chelsea and west Ham

[CountryRoyal]

U21s are at home to Spurs tonight. 19.00 KO

[Dave7]

Will there be any first teamers involved tonight?

[CountryRoyal]

Will there be any first teamers involved tonight?

Reading U21s: Ward, Watson, Long, Shaughnessy, Jules, Griffin, Stacey, Kuhl (c), Cardwell, Barrett, Fosu.

subs: Owusu, Rinomhota, Husin, Novakovich, Southwood (GK).

[CountryRoyal]

HT 1-0

Cardwell with the goal.

[RATM]

HT 1-0

Cardwell with the goal.

1-1 now

[CountryRoyal]

Finished 1-1. Noticeable absentees; Liburd, Evans and Keown so am presuming they will play some part in either of the next two games.

[Royals and Racers]

U18`s lost 1-0 at home to Everton today

[maffff]

Arsenal and West Ham want Kuhl?

http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/07/arsenal-w ... l-5737747/?

[Ian Royal]

Arsenal and West Ham want Kuhl?

http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/07/arsenal-w ... l-5737747/?

Interesting that he's still catching top attention despite not progressing from a few quality performances last season followed by a less than stellar loan.

[SCIAG]

It does seem a bit left-field, but the chance to pick him up for a compensation fee is probably tempting.

We'd be looking at seven figures for him. Probably about £2.5m. I'd much rather keep him...

[Pepe the Horseman]

It does seem a bit left-field, but the chance to pick him up for a compensation fee is probably tempting.

We'd be looking at seven figures for him. Probably about £2.5m. I'd much rather keep him...

How would that be calculated? Surely we won't get anywhere near that for a 20 year old with six first team appearances?

[Ian Royal]

It does seem a bit left-field, but the chance to pick him up for a compensation fee is probably tempting.

We'd be looking at seven figures for him. Probably about £2.5m. I'd much rather keep him...

How would that be calculated? Surely we won't get anywhere near that for a 20 year old with six first team appearances?

Not under the new system from what I recall. Maybe £500k. Assuming he doesn't sign a new deal with us, if he does then you're looking at £££££££s

[SCIAG]

It does seem a bit left-field, but the chance to pick him up for a compensation fee is probably tempting.

We'd be looking at seven figures for him. Probably about £2.5m. I'd much rather keep him...

How would that be calculated? Surely we won't get anywhere near that for a 20 year old with six first team appearances?

Not under the new system from what I recall. Maybe £500k. Assuming he doesn't sign a new deal with us, if he does then you're looking at £££££££s

EPPP compensation only applies for U16s and lower.

For players aged 16-24, an independent body sets the compensation by trying to judge a reasonable valuation for the player. They look at things like transfer fees for similar players, appearances, and any other offers received. In theory we should get the same fee we'd get if he was under contract, though in practice it doesn't normally work out like that.

We supposedly turned down £2m for Kuhl two years ago, and in the mean time the market has inflated, so I think there's a decent chance we could get more than that. If you look at the fees similar players have gone for, I'd be very surprised if it went as low as £500k.

Of course, if we don't offer him a new contract on equal or better terms then he's free to move on a free.

Anyway, last night the U21s lost 3-1 to Chelsea. Good match, Fosu and Kuhl our best players, we just got caught on the counter attack too many times.

[Ian Royal]

I didn't realise there was an age distinction in it. Cool

[Four Of Clubs]

Anyway, last night the U21s lost 3-1 to Chelsea. Good match, Fosu and Kuhl our best players, we just got caught on the counter attack too many times.

.... not sure I can agree entirely - thought we were palpably 2nd best all over the field - the back-four were incapable of making a decent clearance - yes Chelski broke fast but for their 2nd & 3rd goals, we'd somehow nicked the ball off of them, then simply passed it straight back - criminally within our own box.

In midfield we were pedestrian and lightweight - Kelly ran around a lot but continually got knocked off the ball - he looked far better further forward after Novakovich went off.

'The Fridge' had a few impressive moments but has some way to develop yet - was also occasionally guilty of giving the ball away, when passing infield. Cardwell looked big and awkward and did cause their back four some problems with his willingness to chase them down but got the impression the Ref didn't like him.

Admittedly missed the first 15' (hadn't realised for u21s they only open the stewards gate nr Gate 3&4 for Lower West ) - I see from the match report that before I got there, he got an assist for our leveller and fed Novakovich close in, who then hit the post - but from what I saw subsequently, honestly didn't think Kuhl had any positive influence on the game at all - which was disappointing bearing in mind, for a spell, he'd got into the fringes of the first team under Sadkins.

By contrast, thought Noor Husin, in his late cameo, looked far more threatening and able to open up Chelsea with a telling pass than Aaron had done in the previous 80'.

When we upped the tempo and went at them late 2nd half, we had our moments but too often missed a pass or gave it away or (strains of the first team) hit the nearest defender with our crosses.

...by contrast they were 'mean' on the ball and - as in the previous (u18 Cup?) report of our game vs them - Abrahams up front was a beast but generally thought Jules coped quite well with him.

[sandman]

Jules was dreadful and was only slightly redeemed by Shaughnessy being even worse.

Reading created all their own problems in that match and were extremely sloppy in possession. Whether that was because of the pitch or merely an off day made worse by regulars being unavailable I don't know but it was easily the worst performance I've seen in the years I've watched these players in the various age levels I've watched them at.

Starting to question if certain players from this group who I've had high expectations for are actually going to have the progression to the first team that I once thought they would.

[mambo3]

Funny these rumours occur when he is in the last year of his contract. On this seasons Form - needs a Loan.

Cant see anyone from the Academy/U21 seeing regular 1st Team Football next season unless they have done a loan. Readings way.