Adkins and his love of youth

[bracksroyal10]

So we are back in the NPC next year meaning we are going to lose some players but also meaning that we will get the chance to blood some youngsters into our first team hopefully.

You have seen what Adkins can do in terms of developing youth as you have seen with players such as the Ox and Lallana.

My question is if anyone, which of the current youngsters will thrive under Adkins next season and be given their chance to shine?

Going from what I have heard from other fans I personally think Samuel will get a run next year but I am interested to hear from fans who have managed to watch any of the u21 games up close at all.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

I was worried what this thread was going to be about with that title....

[winchester_royal]

[royalZILLAAA]

I'd noticed quite a lot of press about our youth recently, certainly through @ReadingFC. Anton made some comments on the academy recently. I think it will be interesting to see how the club deals with the long term development of youth in light of what appears to be a short term goal of bouncing back to the premier league. Will academy grads get much game time next year? Shipped out on loan?

Either way, it doesn't look like a bad time to be a part of the youth set up at Reading.

[TBM]

[JayRoyal]

[LightwaterRoyal]

Anton mentioned that 8 or 9 of our players from the win against United aren't far of the senior side. I think hes jumping the gun a bit.

Samuel and Obita are the obvious two, then there's D'Ath, Ugwu and Hector who could be in with a shout. Ikpeazu, Tanner, Cooper, Tshibola should get pro contracts and will probably be loaned.

Taylor-Crossdale is one that I saw against United and at times he looked like he could destroy them all by himself and other times he looked like he'd never seen a football in his life. Sounds familiar.

[ZacNaloen]

it says a lot when Anton speaks so highly of the under 18 squad, although he like any fan is probably getting ahead of himself when judging these boys

But...

Samuel and Obita

These two aren't in that squad.

are the obvious two, then there's D'Ath, Ugwu and Hector who could be in with a shout.

Neither are these three. Too old.

Ikpeazu, Tanner, Cooper, Tshibola should get pro contracts and will probably be loaned.

Tanner and Tshibola definitely already have pro contracts until 2015, and will probably be loaned but we do have to be careful where they get loaned to as they are suited for a very specific style of football. Izkpeazu if he is good enough will be able to do it anywhere, big and strong. But bullying the kids in his age group so needs to learn to do it against adults.


If that midfield of Kuhl, Tshibola, Tanner fulfills it's potential it could be the core of our first team midfield in 3 to 4 years time (but it really depends on the level we are at). Most of those guys are are only 17 going on 18 so it all depends on their attitude as they grow into adults.

[Cypry]

Been very impressed with Kuhl and Tanner most times I've seen them play - wouldn't be surprised if one or other featured at some point next year...

[ZacNaloen]

If playing Adkins style they'd probably slot in quite well actually, it's under Mcdermott where I was wondering how we'd bed these players in.

[AkpansBFF]

Ikpeazu hopefully, him and Samuel seen good together on paper (for the future).

Big and strong and someone to play off him:)

[LightwaterRoyal]

I realise Samuel, Obita, D'Ath, Hector and Ugwu arent in the academy. I made the mistake of mentioning the U18s and then the players that are young and could break into our first team in the same sentence.

I dont think Adkins and Anton were being exclusive to players in the U18s.

The question was which players can we see being close to first team football for us. My answer is Samuel, Obita, D'Ath, Hector, and Ugwu. Then from the U18s will be replacing those players current role.

[ZacNaloen]

Ugwu still needs to get through a loan without getting injured tbf, good player, but struggling in that loan environment for some reason.

I feel that Samuel probably needs a full season loan at league 1 level. Just to get that run of games against adults where the manager won't be thinking about what to do when his three months is over.

Hector needs to find a loan at a level higher than league 1 as well.

Obita needs a safe environment to play as well, I'm not sure his loans are doing him any favours so far, seems to be doing well and then trails off and doesn't get picked for the last month of the loan. Maybe we should be playing him more here.

[genome]

shit

[Barry the bird boggler]

Been very impressed with Kuhl and Tanner most times I've seen them play - wouldn't be surprised if one or other featured at some point next year...

Keown also seems to get reasonable reveiews so I think we've got a very healthy set of youngsters all of whom could make the final leap.

Next strata though is Samuel, Obita, D'Ath, Hector and Taylor. Wonder what will happen with them......

[winchester_royal]

I like Hector, would look to keep him around next season as 4th choice CB. Samuel's got something about him but is a little raw. Can't make my mind up about Obita.

I think the current crop of U18's >>>>>>> the ones coming through the U21's though

[ZacNaloen]

Under 18's 1-0 up against Crystal Palace already

[SydenhamRoyal]

I'd read this article alongside the statements from SJM and AZ in the last couple of days about how this club has always been very carefully run, and Adkins statement about how short term success will not be pursued at the risk of long term stability. Whilst yes to all the above, it struck me as code for dont expect too much in the transfer window.

[Divvy]

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/re ... gn=twitter

Reading manager Nigel Adkins has claimed that he sees the future of the club in its youth academy.

The Royals were relegated from the Premier League last weekend following their promotion from the Championship last season.

However, Adkins believes that there are a number of players coming through at the Madejski Stadium who can help the team get back into the top flight.

"The future of the football club is the youth coming through," Adkins told Reading's official website. "What we've got to do is make sure there is a pathway for them to get into the first team.

"The principles and standards of play that we want, we want throughout the whole football club. And all being well, once we get back in the Premier League we'll be well equipped to give ourselves a situation where we don't get relegated."

Reading return to action on Saturday when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.

[moo]

I wonder if this is going to be the new reason we don't spend any money in the summer... give the youth players a chance.

As much as I do actually want to see our highly rated academy players come through, I still think this could be an excuse..