The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[SCIAG]

The ones who are likely to do it any time soon are basically the ones who've already done it - Cooper, Kuhl, Tanner, Stacey, then Tshibola I guess.

After them, obviously there's Samuel, Keown could be a decent back up right back, likewise Fosu on the left. Guess Griffin and Owusu have shots at left back because we don't have many options. Hard to say how they're all doing until they get a sterner test though.

[Lacoste]

Dominant? playing good football? winning?

Doesn't Dolan dictate how the youth teams and U21's play?

[ZacNaloen]

Dominant? playing good football? winning?

Doesn't Dolan dictate how the youth teams and U21's play?

They played 4-5-1 throughout the game, and won the match by packing the midfield and picking off stokes errors and by actually being able to put dangerous balls in the box. Not dissimilar to whats bring expected of the first team Tbh

[Snowball]

Others don't seem as impressed as I was. These lads were a breath of fresh air, quick, intelligent, lots of movement, played as a real team. Long was always looking for run and Khul was eager to pass the perfect pass to him or the number 7 (name?)

Both fullbacks were very good, played high (and both scored). Keown and Sweeney were very, very solid. Sweeney looks like he is going to be a big, solid physical player (a fridge).

Thought Khul was great. Intelligent, good vision, good tackles, and some superb passes. Liked the look too of the Icelandic kid.

He has all the skills to play at the very highest level. He doesn't seem to have a lot of pace, tho'

The American, Novo-etc got a very nice goal, had one excellent header well-saved, and got plenty of flicks.

Provided they develop enough physically, every one of them looks like a future player. Sweeney could be VVG, Khul already is, and both FBs should be able to step up soon. I think the American will do well.

Can't remember the number ten.

[ZacNaloen]

probably referring to Liam kelly who played behind the striker. Good little player, not dissimilar to tab in how he uses his short height to his own advantage somehow. Has good vision and likes the tricks and flicks when laying it off.

[ZacNaloen]

not unimpressed though, just disappointed how uncompetitive it was. Friday should be a better game.

[Nameless]

There was lots to admire, let down a bit by a tendency to over play a bit.
Individually and as a team we were much better than Stoke.
Hard to know who will make the jump, agree with Snowball that most of them could, but it's quite different looking strong and dominant in these semi competitive games and doing it in the Championship.
We could put out a team of home grown players next season that would be good to watch, and may well manage a better league performance than the 1st team did this year, given luck !

[shaka's shorts]

Good game. Easy 3-0 win - could have been 7-0.

Kuhl excellent. Long and Griffin played well at full back. Keown and Sweeney closed them out, so Lincoln didn't make a save of note.

Fosu and Owusu on wings were dangerous and also tracked back well. Kelly is a talent but gave it away with a few over complicated flicks from time to time, but they want him to try things that are creative in the number 10 role. Novakovic was a bit disappointing but took his goal well. Cardwell looked very good when he came on.

Having seen the u18s and u21s a few times this year and last, I would say the nearest to the first team are Cooper and Stacey of course.
Then Tanner, Tishbola, Keown and Samuel.
Best long term talents are Kuhl, Cardwell and Ward (GK)
Long, Fosu and Novakovich could be good too

[Ian Royal]

Was Fosu playing right wing, or Owusu?

[Lacoste]

Dominant? playing good football? winning?

Doesn't Dolan dictate how the youth teams and U21's play?

They played 4-5-1 throughout the game, and won the match by packing the midfield and picking off stokes errors and by actually being able to put dangerous balls in the box. Not dissimilar to whats bring expected of the first team Tbh

Its how you play it I suppose.

[SCIAG]

Was Fosu playing right wing, or Owusu?

Mostly Owusu, they swapped for a few minutes a few times but mostly it was Owusu hugging the right flank and Fosu playing where the hell he wanted. Kelly went out there when Long was injured and then again when he was subbed.

[Ian Royal]

Was Fosu playing right wing, or Owusu?

Mostly Owusu, they swapped for a few minutes a few times but mostly it was Owusu hugging the right flank and Fosu playing where the hell he wanted. Kelly went out there when Long was injured and then again when he was subbed.

Cheers.

How's Fosu's decision making and team ethic coming - apart from his size those were the major bars I could see to a serious talent last season?

[The Cube]

Promotion will be two out of Middlesbrough, Reading and Derby (three other teams could theoretically make it, but that's not going to happen).

Derby lost on Friday, so Reading now need 5 points from 3 games to be certain.

[ZacNaloen]

Was Fosu playing right wing, or Owusu?

Mostly Owusu, they swapped for a few minutes a few times but mostly it was Owusu hugging the right flank and Fosu playing where the hell he wanted. Kelly went out there when Long was injured and then again when he was subbed.

Cheers.

How's Fosu's decision making and team ethic coming - apart from his size those were the major bars I could see to a serious talent last season?

He's getting better and will pass to team mates now

But still loves a bit of glory so takes impossible shots on when probably better to keep the ball moving.

[ZacNaloen]

Dominant? playing good football? winning?

Doesn't Dolan dictate how the youth teams and U21's play?

They played 4-5-1 throughout the game, and won the match by packing the midfield and picking off stokes errors and by actually being able to put dangerous balls in the box. Not dissimilar to whats bring expected of the first team Tbh

Its how you play it I suppose.

It's the fact they are able to put dangerous balls into the box that makes the main difference.

The balance between long ball and tippy tappying it was quite balanced as well.

[JC]

Promotion will be two out of Middlesbrough, Reading and Derby (three other teams could theoretically make it, but that's not going to happen).

Derby lost on Friday, so Reading now need 5 points from 3 games to be certain.

And one of those games is against the bottom team.

They could even still win it as they are 3 points behind Boro with the same goal difference

[Sutekh]

Anyone got a list of the remaining fixtures, dates and venues?

[tidus_mi2]

All the fixtures are here: http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matc ... dateSeason

Just mixed together with the Division 1 fixtures, notable fixtures being:

Tuesday 28 April 2015
15:00 Derby U21 v Newcastle U21 North Street
19:00 Middlesbrough U21 v Bolton U21 The Victoria Ground

Friday 1 May 2015
19:00 Reading U21 v Aston Villa U21 Madejski Stadium

Tuesday 5 May 2015
19:00 West Brom U21 v Derby U21 The Hawthorns

Friday 8 May 2015
19:00 Middlesbrough U21 v Aston Villa U21 Riverside Stadium

Monday 11 May 2015
19:00 Wolves U21 v Reading U21 New Bucks Head

Friday 15 May 2015
19:00 Reading U21 v West Brom U21 Madejski Stadium

Saturday 16 May 2015
14:00 Stoke U21 v Middlesbrough U21 Britannia Stadium

[Royals and Racers]

All the fixtures are here: http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matc ... dateSeason

Just mixed together with the Division 1 fixtures, notable fixtures being:

Tuesday 28 April 2015
15:00 Derby U21 v Newcastle U21 North Street
19:00 Middlesbrough U21 v Bolton U21 The Victoria Ground

Friday 1 May 2015
19:00 Reading U21 v Aston Villa U21 Madejski Stadium

Tuesday 5 May 2015
19:00 West Brom U21 v Derby U21 The Hawthorns

Friday 8 May 2015
19:00 Middlesbrough U21 v Aston Villa U21 Riverside Stadium

Monday 11 May 2015
19:00 Wolves U21 v Reading U21 New Bucks Head

Friday 15 May 2015
19:00 Reading U21 v West Brom U21 Madejski Stadium

Saturday 16 May 2015
14:00 Stoke U21 v Middlesbrough U21 Britannia Stadium

Derby won 4-0
Middlesborough 3-0
table looks like
1 middlesborough P20 pts 44
2 Derby P21 pts 39
3 Reading P 19 pts 38

[KC Royal]

I thought the U18 season had finished?

Just noticed that the U18s have a game at Liverpool that is being shown on LFCTV on Saturday at 11am.