The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[SCIAG]

A fairly dire football match, but I guess that is to be expected. A better second half.

First half we had quite a fluid line-up which made defensive organisation a challenge and meant there weren't any patterns to our play. We could have used another winger instead of Vastuk to give us a bit more structure, and allow Kelly to play in the middle all the time.

Highlight: Basingstoke's #11 being drenched by a sprinkler that turned on just as he passed it

Performances:

Moore: not really tested, didn't get anything wrong, distribution not as good as the other goalkeepers

Lincoln: some pretty incredible kicking. Couldn't be blamed for the goal.
Owusu: got forward well, but a bit of a quiet match
Hyam: held his own and looked comfortable on the ball
Dickie: likewise, though took a nasty blow to the head.
McLennan: a poor start, miscontrolled a few passes, played a few that weren't on, and skinned for the goal. Some good running with the ball though, and always available for a pass.
Shaughnessy: was expecting a bit more going forward. A few weak passes but did alright. Filled in at centre back when Dickie was being treated and got pole-axed
Husin: really confident on the ball, one excellent turn away from his marker. Kept possession well. Didn't look like the youngest on the pitch. Reading's man of the half.
Kelly: a bit quiet, but some good runs with the ball late on
Fosu: also quiet, one decent ball in. Often found himself covering in positions he'd probably rather not have been in. Needs an extra yard of pace tbh, was overshadowed by Basingstoke's speedy #11.
Vastuk: a bit of a presence, but also quiet. Don't think he had a shot?
Samuel: disappointing first half, but looked the elder statesman in the second. Worked really hard to win back the ball a few times.

Henly: great communication, and his distribution was incredible - guy can throw it well into the opposition's half and kick almost the length of the pitch.
Watson: really looked the part, his relative experience showed. Caught out too high up the pitch on occasions
Ethelston: one worldy pass to Williams (?) late on. Otherwise untroubled
Jules: reminds me of Thomas Vermaelen.
Sheppard: first time I'd seen him play full back. He really looked the part, storming forward with pace, always in the right position, intelligent movement and good technique. MOTM.
Collins: quiet, can't think of any more to say tbh
Waritay: surged forward like Tshibola, but also split the centre backs like Kuhl. Not sure he quite has their ability but tactically he's in that mould. Hopefully he can form a good partnership with Husin for the U18s.
Lawal: mostly quiet, but kept one mishit pass in really well
Urbanic: bright. I'd like to see him in the U18s regularly, if not the U21s.
Williams: perhaps too lightweight for this match. Better to judge him against players his age
Cardwell: Started playing just behind Samuel and didn't look out of place, moved up front when Urbanic finally came on. Not many chances, but good strength and put in a really good ball after beating his man. Excited to see how he does for the U18s this season.

[yappy]

Oh, and it is Lloyd Owusu playing for Basingstoke.

I'm fairly certain Basingstoke Gazette have made an error on that one. I believe it was a chap called Julian Owusu who they have on trial. I certainly didn't spot Lloyd Owusu if he was playing!

[paultheroyal]

Yep another gazette cock up!

No way is that Lloyd. Pretty sure he is playing in Australia.

[winchester_royal]

Important to remember that a lot of our best U21 players were at Exeter last night. And 'Stoke drew 1-1 with a full strength Yeovil team at the weekend. Pleased to hear Urbancic looked sharp, he completely flew under the radar last season so eager to see how he progresses.

[Pepe the Horseman]

How come Sammy the Fridge didn't play?

[billybraggsbeard]

Went along last night as live in B'stoke, don't remember us having a shot in the 1st half , second half a bit better, complete team change at h/t apart for Dominic Samuel who played on for another 20 mins or so, he didn't get a lot of support particularly 1st half. B'stoke had a young triallist at full back who'd been at Chelsea, think he only came on for the 2nd half he was very good and looked the best player on the pitch

[winchester_royal]

First year scholars beat Boreham Wood 5-1 in their first pre-season friendly. Not sure on all the scorers yet, but Josh Barrett got 2.

[winchester_royal]

P.S. If a mod could upd8 the thread title to 2014/15 that would be lovely. Ta.

[Royal Ginger]

Novakovic scored again last night for the US U20s

[Pepe the Horseman]

GET HIM IN THE FIRST TEAM

[ZacNaloen]

Who was this one against?

Scored against Chile last time...

[JordCot]

http://youtu.be/B3b3lROTNjc

[winchester_royal]

He's cute, can see why Pepe likes him.

[tmesis]

an U21/U18 team was well beaten 0-4 at Sutton United today - men against boys in every sense.

The management team didn't seem too pleased with the effort on show. One shout was "You have a choice. You can run during the game, or you can do running afterwards"

[kwik-silva]

Well I'm pretty happy I didn't both going to that then!

[Royal Ginger]

With Williams having another knee op, Karacan unlikely and Guthrie still nursing a calf issue, at least one of these chaps are likely to be starting alongside Akpan come the start of the season. Kuhl? Tshibola?

[ZacNaloen]

Can see us starting the season 4-5-1 with Kuhl, Tish and Akpan at this rate.

[winchester_royal]

U21's beat Bognor Regis 2-0 last night. Samuel with both.

[Pepe the Horseman]

With Williams having another knee op, Karacan unlikely and Guthrie still nursing a calf issue, at least one of these chaps are likely to be starting alongside Akpan come the start of the season. Kuhl? Tshibola?

Adam Clayton

[Royal Ginger]

With Williams having another knee op, Karacan unlikely and Guthrie still nursing a calf issue, at least one of these chaps are likely to be starting alongside Akpan come the start of the season. Kuhl? Tshibola?

Adam Clayton

I think the Clayton-Sigurdsson-Akpan midfield might be a little unbalanced for quality.