The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Ark Royal]

Cannot say CBC kicking straight into touch was a tactic - the Reading coaching staff were losing their shit when he did it the second time. As said, just poor game management from the team on two occasions that led to goals.

[andrew1957]

Gutted for the lads. A very exciting game of end to end but not helped by some very dodgy refereeing. Did not think it was a foul at the end that led to the goal. No idea what Borgnis’s first yellow was for although second was justified. But the boys did us proud. Typical Reading - glorious in defeat.

[traff]

Boyce Clarke looks shit. Don't let him anywhere near the first team next season

Harsh.
Thought he had a decent game, admittedly kicking wasn't great but made some excellent saves.

[Zammo]

Gutted for the lads. A very exciting game of end to end but not helped by some very dodgy refereeing. Did not think it was a foul at the end that led to the goal. No idea what Borgnis’s first yellow was for although second was justified. But the boys did us proud. Typical Reading - glorious in defeat.

Pretty much this ^

Sunderland looked like they would cut us open at will in the first half, but I thought we were terrific in the second. Introduction of Tuma really changed the game. Gutted about the late equaliser as we didn't deserve that (90+9 ffs). Extra time just passed by until their late winner. Good atmos, and plenty of youngsters about in Reading shirts/singing etc.... Enjoyable evening, despite the defeat. Uuuurrzzz.

[Stranded]

Pretty much no chance with any goals. Multiple crucial saves.

One poor pass.

Do you really think he looks ready for the first team?

Think he could do with a loan to help him improve his decision making and distribution. Agree that none of the goals were his fault but he kicked numerous balls into touch towards the end (it happened so often I wonder if it was a time wasting tactic?), his pass caused the red card, in the first half he kicked the ball out rather than taking it back into his area to pick up when he had time.

There's possibly a good keeper there but he is very inexperienced - think he even shares Academy games with Collins so hasn't played much.

We've got an option on Pereira, Button, Bouzanis and Andresson.

Why would it even come up to say he shouldn’t be part of the first team after a perfectly fine performance, with some flaws?

No one is suggesting he should be our number 1.

For me the keeper situation for next year (assuming we don't bring in another one)

Pereira #1
Button #2
Bouzanis - moved on either as free or loan to L2/NL
Andresson - move on - loans have been poor, not likely to ever make the first team
CBC - loan - there is the makings of a decent keeper there but he needs minutes if he is to have a chance to compete for #1 next summer when the GK situation will totally refresh given the contract situation.

[Stranded]

Also, what the circumstances of the club have shown is that if we stabilise, what a fantastic club we are for a young player to be at. Competitive at PL2 level with a crystal clear path to the first team.

Strong argument that any player just below the very top talents, could do a lot worse that coming to us, great chance to break into the first team and use us a springboard to a career - much better than joining a top club, having close to no path to the first team, spending 3 or 4 seasons on loan before finally moving to a mid table Championship/L1 side.

[Orion1871]

Cannot say CBC kicking straight into touch was a tactic - the Reading coaching staff were losing their shit when he did it the second time. As said, just poor game management from the team on two occasions that led to goals.

Were they also losing their shit when one of our players decided to waste time instead of taking a quick throw in whilst the opposition keeper was in our half and their goal was empty?

[South Coast Royal]

Also, what the circumstances of the club have shown is that if we stabilise, what a fantastic club we are for a young player to be at. Competitive at PL2 level with a crystal clear path to the first team.

Strong argument that any player just below the very top talents, could do a lot worse that coming to us, great chance to break into the first team and use us a springboard to a career - much better than joining a top club, having close to no path to the first team, spending 3 or 4 seasons on loan before finally moving to a mid table Championship/L1 side.

Fair points as crowbar made on another topic the other day.

The problem however is getting over our image now in English football as that dreadful club that doesn't pay its bills and is always having points deductions.
It will take some time and more than just a new owner to raise our standing in the game.

As for last night, a good performance but ,coming back to the start of last season we couldn't defend corners at first team level and we regularly conceded late goals and this is what happened again here.
Some serious defensive coaching required at the club at all levels seemingly.

Good to see the numbers supporting.

[Clyde1998]

Gutted for the lads. A very exciting game of end to end but not helped by some very dodgy refereeing. Did not think it was a foul at the end that led to the goal. No idea what Borgnis’s first yellow was for although second was justified. But the boys did us proud. Typical Reading - glorious in defeat.

Didn't think the second yellow was for very much tbh; the first one was a late tackle and probably justified a yellow.

I'd want to see the incident prior to the equaliser at the end of the game back to see whether it was a foul or not. Looked it from where I was, but none of the players claimed for it.

Feel the incident for the free-kick for their winner was no different to all the times Tuma was in the penalty box. I'm fairly certain the Sunderland player who took his shirt off after their winner wasn't booked for it (and was already on a yellow).

Gutted after what's been an incredible season for the U21s. Sunderland bossed the first half, but we dominated the second; always felt we needed a fourth when we had the momentum to kill the game. Extra time seemed like a contest of whoever had enough energy left. Always going to be a very long second half of extra time once going down to ten men.

[Snowflake Royal]

Gutted for the lads. A very exciting game of end to end but not helped by some very dodgy refereeing. Did not think it was a foul at the end that led to the goal. No idea what Borgnis’s first yellow was for although second was justified. But the boys did us proud. Typical Reading - glorious in defeat.

Didn't think the second yellow was for very much tbh; the first one was a late tackle and probably justified a yellow.

I'd want to see the incident prior to the equaliser at the end of the game back to see whether it was a foul or not. Looked it from where I was, but none of the players claimed for it.

Feel the incident for the free-kick for their winner was no different to all the times Tuma was in the penalty box. I'm fairly certain the Sunderland player who took his shirt off after their winner wasn't booked for it (and was already on a yellow).

Gutted after what's been an incredible season for the U21s. Sunderland bossed the first half, but we dominated the second; always felt we needed a fourth when we had the momentum to kill the game. Extra time seemed like a contest of whoever had enough energy left. Always going to be a very long second half of extra time once going down to ten men.

The 2nd yellow was as nailed on as you get. Very obvious and cynical tug back to stop a break that probably would have resulted in a chance. And he had no complaints

[Clyde1998]

Gutted for the lads. A very exciting game of end to end but not helped by some very dodgy refereeing. Did not think it was a foul at the end that led to the goal. No idea what Borgnis’s first yellow was for although second was justified. But the boys did us proud. Typical Reading - glorious in defeat.

Didn't think the second yellow was for very much tbh; the first one was a late tackle and probably justified a yellow.

I'd want to see the incident prior to the equaliser at the end of the game back to see whether it was a foul or not. Looked it from where I was, but none of the players claimed for it.

Feel the incident for the free-kick for their winner was no different to all the times Tuma was in the penalty box. I'm fairly certain the Sunderland player who took his shirt off after their winner wasn't booked for it (and was already on a yellow).

Gutted after what's been an incredible season for the U21s. Sunderland bossed the first half, but we dominated the second; always felt we needed a fourth when we had the momentum to kill the game. Extra time seemed like a contest of whoever had enough energy left. Always going to be a very long second half of extra time once going down to ten men.

The 2nd yellow was as nailed on as you get. Very obvious and cynical tug back to stop a break that probably would have resulted in a chance. And he had no complaints

It clearly wasn't obvious from where I was sat.

Must've been obscured by players or officials from my angle; it just looked like the Sunderland player fell over under pressure.

[Ark Royal]

Cannot say CBC kicking straight into touch was a tactic - the Reading coaching staff were losing their shit when he did it the second time. As said, just poor game management from the team on two occasions that led to goals.

Were they also losing their shit when one of our players decided to waste time instead of taking a quick throw in whilst the opposition keeper was in our half and their goal was empty?

Yep. Noel Hunt was going nuts when we did not take the quick throw in.

[Clyde1998]

Cannot say CBC kicking straight into touch was a tactic - the Reading coaching staff were losing their shit when he did it the second time. As said, just poor game management from the team on two occasions that led to goals.

Were they also losing their shit when one of our players decided to waste time instead of taking a quick throw in whilst the opposition keeper was in our half and their goal was empty?

Yep. Noel Hunt was going nuts when we did not take the quick throw in.

And when we took the throw, we immediately surged up the pitch. Had we done that with a quick throw, we could've easily scored from it.

[Snowflake Royal]

Were they also losing their shit when one of our players decided to waste time instead of taking a quick throw in whilst the opposition keeper was in our half and their goal was empty?

Yep. Noel Hunt was going nuts when we did not take the quick throw in.

And when we took the throw, we immediately surged up the pitch. Had we done that with a quick throw, we could've easily scored from it.

He similarly went nuts when we took a quick inaccurate freekick punt upfield to one player who had two defenders on him and it came straight back.

[Clyde1998]

Yep. Noel Hunt was going nuts when we did not take the quick throw in.

And when we took the throw, we immediately surged up the pitch. Had we done that with a quick throw, we could've easily scored from it.

He similarly went nuts when we took a quick inaccurate freekick punt upfield to one player who had two defenders on him and it came straight back.

Yeah. It's clear there's inexperience in decision making (obviously), so can only hope these players learn from the experience.

Based on what I can work out, Ryan; Holzman; Akande; Okine-Peters; Clarke; Paul; Senga; Tuma and Sackey are all young enough to be involved in the U21s next season, assuming the cut of date for playing U21 football is at the start of the season (and doesn't consider a small number of overage players being allowed to be involved). Okine-Peters and Sackey don't appear to have their actual date of birth listed anywhere, but the former played for the U18s two seasons ago and the latter has played for the U18s this season.

That's a decent chunk of this side who'll be able to play (at least) another season of U21 football - only six of the starting XI will be overage next season (plus the sub goalie Collins).

[rabidbee]

assuming the cut of date for playing U21 football is at the start of the season...

It's here under definitions:

‘Under 21 Player’ means a Player under the age of 21 as at the 1 January in the year in which the Season concerned commences.

So, unless I'm mistaken, anyone 20 or under on 1 Jan. 2024 will qualify as U21 for the forthcoming season.

[Stranded]

What is the rule on players over-21 playing - Liverpool have Jay Spearing playing semi regularly so clearly some leeway and Holmes played earlier in the year.

[Clyde1998]

assuming the cut of date for playing U21 football is at the start of the season...

It's here under definitions:

‘Under 21 Player’ means a Player under the age of 21 as at the 1 January in the year in which the Season concerned commences.

So, unless I'm mistaken, anyone 20 or under on 1 Jan. 2024 will qualify as U21 for the forthcoming season.

Thank you - didn't think it would be as early as January. So that gives another season of U21 football for CBC, Borgnis and Wareham and only three starters from yesterday becoming overage for next season (Carson, who we already know to be leaving; Stickland; Wellens).

If we're allowed three overage players (as an example, I don't know the actual number), Stickland and Wellens could still be regularly involved. A lot of these players will have another attempt at this competition next season (if they don't go out on loan or get promoted to the first team).

[Snowflake Royal]

And when we took the throw, we immediately surged up the pitch. Had we done that with a quick throw, we could've easily scored from it.

He similarly went nuts when we took a quick inaccurate freekick punt upfield to one player who had two defenders on him and it came straight back.

Yeah. It's clear there's inexperience in decision making (obviously), so can only hope these players learn from the experience.

Based on what I can work out, Ryan; Holzman; Akande; Okine-Peters; Clarke; Paul; Senga; Tuma and Sackey are all young enough to be involved in the U21s next season, assuming the cut of date for playing U21 football is at the start of the season (and doesn't consider a small number of overage players being allowed to be involved). Okine-Peters and Sackey don't appear to have their actual date of birth listed anywhere, but the former played for the U18s two seasons ago and the latter has played for the U18s this season.

That's a decent chunk of this side who'll be able to play (at least) another season of U21 football - only six of the starting XI will be overage next season (plus the sub goalie Collins).

No overage allowed.

[Snowflake Royal]

What is the rule on players over-21 playing - Liverpool have Jay Spearing playing semi regularly so clearly some leeway and Holmes played earlier in the year.

Rules I've read suggest no exceptions... but clearly sometjing is amiss.