The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[double d]

Didn't we have his brother here as well who got released?

[kwik-silva]

Yes

[GreaterTorontoRoyal]

Didn't we have his brother here as well who got released?

He went and played for that Nike U-21 development club or whatever, didn't he?

[akranes]

harry cardwell ‏@hcardwell9 7m
Really happy to have signed my first professional contract in football with Reading FC. Looking… http://instagram.com/p/qHwHX2K6y-/

(Already been announced, oops)

[winchester_royal]

Interesting (ish) given that he's only halfway through his scholars contract. Obviously the club think a lot of him.

[kwik-silva]

No longer playing Salisbury, now playing Sutton.

If on a Scholars contract can other teams still poach them (like we did with Cardwell)?

[SCIAG]

No longer playing Salisbury, now playing Sutton.

If on a Scholars contract can other teams still poach them (like we did with Cardwell)?

After their 17th birthday they can, if they offer a professional deal. That's why we made sure Tshibola, Tanner, etc. had already agreed to professional deals when they signed their scholarships.

[Nameless]

Interesting (ish) given that he's only halfway through his scholars contract. Obviously the club think a lot of him.

He does look a good prospect, probably the best of the genuine frontmen in the Academy set up IMHO. Works hard, decent turn of pace, strong, knows how to finish.

[winchester_royal]

Interesting (ish) given that he's only halfway through his scholars contract. Obviously the club think a lot of him.

He does look a good prospect, probably the best of the genuine frontmen in the Academy set up IMHO. Works hard, decent turn of pace, strong, knows how to finish.

Yep, though he looked a better player than Ugwu last season, and a considerably better footballer than Ikpeazu appeared to me at least.

[ZacNaloen]

Looks like those U21s who went on the training camp are permanent fixtures in the first team now unless we get some money.

Kuhl, Tanner and Tish, Stacey etc all not involved in the U21 match today.


Can't decide if that pleases me or fills me with trepidation about the options this season

[Royal Rother]

It's fantastic.

No good counting chickens but although we might not have a Luke Shaw in our midst Adkins has shown he can develop (and play) decent youngsters so they might well be given chances to show they are ready. And be successful. Or am I giving Adkins too much credit for all that...?

[ZacNaloen]

I thought we could have used Kuhl in midfield last season so not disappointed about that one at all.

[winchester_royal]

Anyone else off to Staines this afternoon


Nope...just me then

[ZacNaloen]

I would if I could

[P!ssed Off]

Looks like those U21s who went on the training camp are permanent fixtures in the first team now unless we get some money.

Kuhl, Tanner and Tish, Stacey etc all not involved in the U21 match today.

Can't decide if that pleases me or fills me with trepidation about the options this season

The 9 U21 promotions: Craig Tanner, Aaron Kuhl, Aaron Tshibola, Ryan Edwards, Pierce Sweeney, Jack Stacey, Jake Cooper, Sean Long and Shane Griffin.

Promoted because they are top young players who are ready to step up, irrelevant of the financial situation of the club:
Craig Tanner, Aaron Kuhl, Aaron Tshibola, Pierce Sweeney

Promoted perhaps a bit early because of lack of options, but likely to be ready in the future:
Jack Stacey

Promoted mainly due to lack of options/inability to recruit new players:
Ryan Edwards, Jake Cooper, Sean Long and Shane Griffin

IMO obviously. But can't see much point in lumping the 9 players under one bracket.

Edit:
Looking at the team to face Staines, Cooper and Griffin are involved. So that leaves 7 "permanent fixtures in the first team"

[Nameless]

Cooper would be 5 th choice centre back, don't think we'd be looking to spend money there so harsh to say he's in the squad other than on merit. He looked good last season and you have to push the young players forward at some point...

[Ian Royal]

So our options look a little like this then?

GK: McCarthy / Federici / Andersen
RB: Gunter / Kelly / Cummings / Long
LB: Obita / Cummings / Griffin
CB: Pearce / Sweeney / Cooper
CB: Morrison / Hector
CM: Guthrie / Kuhl
CM: Karacan / Akpan
CM: Williams / Tshibola
(AM: Taylor / Tanner)
RW: McCleary / Taylor / Blackman / Taylor / Stacey
LW: Obita / Robson-Kanu / Blackman / Drenthe
ST: Pogrenbnyak / Robson-Kanu / Blackman / Tanner / Samuel

I'm wet. It's not a team to win the league, nor (almost certainly) to get promoted, but I can see it competing the middle of the table alright if the players find a bit of confidence and form, without nasty set backs.

Obvious weak points upfront and left back / left wing depending on where Obita plays. And people may still leave.

[P!ssed Off]

Drenthe is not an option.
You've missed out Tanner, as well as Keown*.


*Was surprised Keown was not included in the 1st team trip. Also not included in the U21 game today, so presumably injured.
Looked better at CB than Cooper last season, and better at fullback than both Long and Griffin.
Adkins put him on the bench with Sweeney for a league game last season, perhaps indicating the pecking order.

[Ian Royal]

Drenthe is not an option.
You've missed out Tanner, as well as Keown*.


*Was surprised Keown was not included in the 1st team trip. Also not included in the U21 game today, so presumably injured.
Looked better at CB than Cooper last season, and better at fullback than both Long and Griffin.

Yep, added Tanner, only including those who went with the first team. Except Edwards, who I'm not sure where he plays and all I've heard suggests he's not likely to get involved.

Included Drenthe because he's with us at the moment and there's no guarantee he's going anywhere. But that's why he's last on the list.

[ZacNaloen]

Edwards plays on the right