The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[winchester_royal]

About time these younger guys got a dedicated thread of their own.

The U18's have had an excellent start, winning their first 2 games of the season. Expect a strong showing from these guys again given that quite a few who are now second-years were involved heavily last year. Plenty to watch out for, with my personal fave being Aaron Kuhl.

The U21's have been similarly impressing, winning 2 of their opening 3, most recently a 3-2 win against Southampton. Looking forward to seeing how the likes of Ugwu, Samuel, Tshibola et al progress throughout the season. Unfortunately Craig Tanner has had to go in for an ankle op over the last few days which will keep him out for a couple of months, but he's definitely one to keep an eye on when fit.

[ZacNaloen]

Yep positive start to the season for the 1st and 2nd years.

Sounds like Tanner had a heel spur based on his twitter description of what they did, that would have been uncomfortable. If he could play like he could with a dodgy ankle looking forward to seeing what he can do post operation.

I like how the club have also started to focus more on what the academy are up to so it's easier to follow what they are up to, mostly because it's something I requested on my end of year survey (pure coincidence I'm sure)



With a cup game coming up soon seems an ideal time for Samuel, Ugwu and Tshi to get some time against pro's, with their current form.

[winchester_royal]

Yep, there's definitely been a push towards spreading the academy message since Anton came in. Understandably so, given that's where a lot of investment is being channeled into atm.

#BuildEvolveSucceed and all that

[maffff]

We've got Dan Lincoln loaned out for the month [at Met Police] although we have plenty of other keepers around with Moore, Ward and Gogic.

As well as Lincoln on loan, Michael Hector is up in Aberdeen for 6 months, with Nick Arnold at Wycombe and Ryan Edwards at Perth Glory [Cameron Edwards was signed there this summer and Alistair Edwards.. their dad.. is their manager] loaned out for the season. So don't expect to see any of them featuring.

I'm Interested in seeing how a few of the new guys do - Lewis Collins, Tomas Urbancic, Samuel Fridjonsson, Harry Cardwell and Aleksandar Gogic. Haven't heard anything about much any of them yet, although focus is predominently at u21.

Haven't seen anything about the new intake or scholars moving up to 16/18 [Luke Southwood, Josh Chatee, Noor Husin, Tamille Roache, Amadu Waritay, Josh Barrett, Ryan East, Marc Ethelston, Topé Fowodu, Jake Sheppard, Daniel Williams etc] but information will drip out during the course of the season I guess.

I like how Southampton, Crystal Palace, etc really push their u18 team, more than we do, hopefully we can build up to be as media friendly at that level as them.

[winchester_royal]

More new players from Europe for the academy: http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/academy-additions-1044809.aspx

Good to see the growth of our scouting network is starting to produce some results.

[Wimb]

Hopefully a new Gylfi rather than a new Viktor Illugason....

[maffff]

Vashchuk? (FW) That's the new Vasilev right there.... still. Club said we will get a striker.

Dvali (LB/CB/CM) is meant to be something special. Only moved to Skonto from Tblisi in January.and has been in their first team.

[yuuichi]

http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 263_1.html

Would be interesting to have an indian in our squad perhaps. Though because they're from Aranchal Predesh, they'll look totally chinese (I think China claims that area as its own, and india's world class female boxer is from there; she looks oriental). Should be good for our image in all of asia targetting this part of india.

[JC]

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/reading-fc-to-give-scholarship-to-two-youths-from-arunachal-113090900263_1.html

Would be interesting to have an indian in our squad perhaps. Though because they're from Aranchal Predesh, they'll look totally chinese (I think China claims that area as its own, and india's world class female boxer is from there; she looks oriental). Should be good for our image in all of asia targetting this part of india.

Nice to see we are an 'internationally famed club'

[floyd__streete]

We beat Swindon 1-0

[winchester_royal]

That's the spirit Floyd

[One8Seven1]

Jake Cooper. Big things expected from him. You look at Hector doing well and now flying on loan at Aberdeen, yet they talk of Cooper having even greater potential. It'd be great if some of these kids do come good and break through.

[maffff]

Is what they said of Jack Mills

[SCIAG]

Is what they said of Jack Mills

I swear you have to write off every young player we have for little or no reason

Cooper is better than Mills ever was. A little shaky on the ground but much better at judging high balls, and a better footballer. I mean Mills and MacDonald were obviously worse than Hector pretty much from the word go, but Noel Blake loved them for reasons unexplained. Probably related to his incompetence.

Partridge is the best of our young centre backs right now IMO (not counting Morrison), but he doesn't have Cooper's immense size and strength. He reminds me a lot of Pearce at his age, but Pearce was getting Football League experience whereas Partridge is competing for a place in our U21 side.

[Mike Hunt]

Jake Cooper. Big things expected from him. You look at Hector doing well and now flying on loan at Aberdeen, yet they talk of Cooper having even greater potential. It'd be great if some of these kids do come good and break through.

I like the look of 'im

[Nameless]

I'd like to see Cooper playing against 'adults', much like Ugwe there looks like a lot of potential but hard to judge how much of it is due to superior physical attributes compared to players of their own age. How would Cooper fair against a 6'4'' 30 year old centre forward, how would Ugwe cope with a centre back who could handle him physically ?

Only one way to find out !

[maffff]

how would Ugwe cope with a centre back who could handle him physically ?

Ikpeazu, who looked like a beast because of his stature, showed last year he couldn't.

[maffff]

Is what they said of Jack Mills

I swear you have to write off every young player we have for little or no reason

Not sure if srs

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

What's this Lewis Collins kid like? Model Professional I expect.

Showing my age?

[ZacNaloen]

I'd like to see Cooper playing against 'adults', much like Ugwe there looks like a lot of potential but hard to judge how much of it is due to superior physical attributes compared to players of their own age. How would Cooper fair against a 6'4'' 30 year old centre forward, how would Ugwe cope with a centre back who could handle him physically ?

Only one way to find out !

He still loses concentration in the games I've seen, not yet ready to play against adults. He is definitely going in the right direction though,