Whose our most promising young player?

[Joser]

I'm new to the team as some of you may know an dI'm just wondering if we have any Wayne Rooney's in our deck. Any great young talent in the academy? (Aside from Baby Beckham of course)

[sendorange]

You asked for it!

The youth system is in good shape, very good at producing individuals who go on to make it professionally at a high level. Over the past few years the club have really kept putting the money in and let Pleat and the coaching staff mold it. There are naturally a lot of filler players and only a few will make it, but the club seems to prefer on getting the best and brightest individuals, particularly ones with skill. At the moment though there are no real promising central defenders or left sided players in the youth team. But part of this is because the club hasn't been recruiting in this area because the first team either already had enough of them or will buy in from elsewhere.

Currently the top youngsters closest to the first team are two Irish lads, Stephen Kelly and Mark Yeates. Yeates is a more physical and direct but less refined version of Robbie Keane. Best playing as a second forward dropping deep. Very talented 19 year old Irish lad, he's been on the bench a few times in the past couple of months and had a very sucessful loan spell at Brighton earlier on this season. If there wasn't so much competition up front he'd have made his breakthrough, but it will happen eventually.

http://www.spurs.co.uk/article.asp?article=182603

Kelly has already had his first team debut this year, he's a 20 year old right back, so not so much a youngster. Very much looked on at the club as a Carr deputy/ future replacement. He's quick, got good skills but needs to get a bit more confident and aware defensively (like a lot of young fullbacks). He was very successful on loan over the past couple of seasons in Division 1 and 2 and looked promising on his debut this season against Charlton. He's been on the bench in just about every game for the past few months, against Newcastle he was the only defender named, so that shows the club have no hesitation in putting him in. If he was left footed he'd be a starter already, and there's some debate amongst some fans about whether the club should sell Carr regardless of his contract status, and go with the younger and more promising Kelly.

http://www.spurs.co.uk/article.asp?article=179233

The top youngster in potential is Phil Ifil, was a reserve team regular at 16, now at just turned 17 he's one of the brightest youngsters we've ever had and should see some action either here or on loan within the next year. He's an attacking right fullback, very fast and skilfull but also strong defensively, which is rare. Very highly thought of in the England setup as well. Big problem of course is that he has Carr and also Kelly in the way. He's got more allround ability than both of them, so if he keeps fulfilling his potential it's a nice problem for the club to have.

Below that there is a striker called Scott Thyer "the Welsh Wayne Rooney". Signed for us after a lot of competition from just about everybody in the Premiership, including all the big sides. He's strong, fast and scores goals, not just tap-ins but 30 yard belters as well. He just turned 17 and should be a key player in the reserves next year, and from there could go all the way.

Owen Price is an extremely gifted and pacey 17 year old right winger, and in his early teens he was one, if not the, top prospect in the country. Got in the Guiness Book of Records for scoring the fastest ever goal in a youth match. He had a badly broken leg this season which he's just shaking off, but before that hadn't developed quite as spectacularly as hoped. The club poached him from Charlton for over 500 grand when he was a young teenager, so that shows how highly they wanted him. Next season will be a good test to see whether he's the real deal.

For a US perspective there is Brian Mascerenhas. He's an attacking midfielder who can play wide, currently with the U-17s. Too early yet to say on him, but to have been specifically selected to be part of the youth setup he clearly must have ability.

http://www.spurs.co.uk/stats/player.asp?player=22893

I'd also give honourable mentions to Dean Marney and Jamie O'Hara. Not in the same league as the brightest players, but look like they could be useful squad players in the next couple of years.

[DigitalTron]

Send did a great job explaining our prospects. As an American, I am always hoping Mascarenhas can become a great player, but he looks unlikely to become one. The players I'm most enthused about are Scott Thyer and Phil Ifil. The word is that Thyer could become a very good player.

Right now, Ifil is still very much in the developmental stage, but he has the athletic ability and some technical skill, the question is when/if he'll put it all together, and how quickly will he improve his tactical sense. He's been consistently playing up in age in the England youth setup.

I've wondered whether Marney, Kelly or Ifil (all right-footers) are being lined up to be tried at left fullback, because forcing Konchesky to midfield, consistently playing Taricco at left back, and not addressing the spot during the transfer window, I suspect Spurs already have someone in mind for that spot. But who that is, I have no idea.

-Digital

[Joser]

Wow, thanks Send that was an awesome write up on our youngsters. I feel informed now. I'm most excited about this "Welsh Wayne Rooney" kid, sounds great, though the SPurs site says he hasn't played any games yet at any level (for Tottenham). Also I noticed Ifil is a regular sub in the reserves, thats a good sign.

Thanks again.

[Caesar]

Originally posted by Joser
Wow, thanks Send that was an awesome write up on our youngsters. I feel informed now. I'm most excited about this "Welsh Wayne Rooney" kid, sounds great, though the Spurs site says he hasn't played any games yet at any level (for Tottenham). Also I noticed Ifil is a regular sub in the reserves, thats a good sign.

Thanks again.

Ditto. Its good to get some honest opinions in addition to whats on the Spurs site - which is practically my sole source of info over here in Oz. Its great to hear a bit more about it - Spurs have got one of the best development programmes in the EPL.

Out of interest, do many of you guys watch the acadamy matches and youth grade on a regular basis?

[sendorange]

Originally posted by Joser
Wow, thanks Send that was an awesome write up on our youngsters. I feel informed now. I'm most excited about this "Welsh Wayne Rooney" kid, sounds great, though the SPurs site says he hasn't played any games yet at any level (for Tottenham). Also I noticed Ifil is a regular sub in the reserves, thats a good sign.
The official site is very slow on updating things and linking their articles, they are in the process of overhauling the whole thing though so hopefully things will get better. Some of the dedicated fan sites like Spurs Odyssey are better for this sort of thing. Thyer has played and scored for the Spurs U-17s, and played for the U-19s and has been in the subs for the reserves (a couple of times). He only joined the club this past summer though.

Ifil usually now starts in the reserves, unless it's a game against a stronger team or a first teamer is in there getting experience. He missed the last couple, but I he had a good run before that.

Originally posted by Caesar
Out of interest, do many of you guys watch the acadamy matches and youth grade on a regular basis?
Not regular at all for me, only a few live ones when I can, reserve games mainly at Stevenage and not really the academy, unless it's an FA youth cup match I can get to. Don't really have the time or availability to do it regularly. A lot of the info I get is from other fans I know who do go and who I trust. Ifil, Yeates and Kelly are the ones I've seen a fair few times and have heard the most about.

[Joe E]

dean marney played at left back when we played dc united at WHL a year or two ago, and looked good there. i really like him, and have actually been waiting awhile for him to come through, i think he's more of a prospect than kelly. i was at st.andrews on the first day of the season to see one of his rare first team appearances and he hit a stunning 25 yard half volley that forced an excellent save. he also tackles hard and makes good attacking runs. i have also heard good things about price and ifil though i confess the thyer kid is new to me, he sounds exciting though i am always wary of paying too much creedence to these rumours of genius in the youth ranks - ollie morah, rory allen, john percy, etc, these players always seem to fizzle out and not get far. one player who hasn't been mentioned on this thread is ben bowditch, very highly rated and a regular in the england youth set up. i expect him to be getting a game or two soon. and of course we can't forget that ricketts and jackson are still very young and new on the scene. what's going on with ricketts by the way? i want him to stay involved with the first team.

Originally posted by DigitalTron
Send did a great job explaining our prospects. As an American, I am always hoping Mascarenhas can become a great player, but he looks unlikely to become one. The players I'm most enthused about are Scott Thyer and Phil Ifil. The word is that Thyer could become a very good player.

Right now, Ifil is still very much in the developmental stage, but he has the athletic ability and some technical skill, the question is when/if he'll put it all together, and how quickly will he improve his tactical sense. He's been consistently playing up in age in the England youth setup.

I've wondered whether Marney, Kelly or Ifil (all right-footers) are being lined up to be tried at left fullback, because forcing Konchesky to midfield, consistently playing Taricco at left back, and not addressing the spot during the transfer window, I suspect Spurs already have someone in mind for that spot. But who that is, I have no idea.

-Digital

[sendorange]

Ben Bowditch has been released. He never made the grade, which is a shame as he really looked like he could be our future d-mid and captain. He's gone to Denmark now.

[Joe E]

you're right! i just looked it up. i never noticed when the slabber loan was announced that they tagged that on the end. well there you have a classic example of what i'm talking about. i've been reading about him on the website and in programs for 2 or 3 years hearing about how he's the next big thing and then one day we just realease him. don't be surprised when the same thing happens to the other names being discussed on this thread.

Originally posted by sendorange
Ben Bowditch has been released. He never made the grade, which is a shame as he really looked like he could be our future d-mid and captain. He's gone to Denmark now.

[jumhed]

I think its a bit bloody stupid to release youngsters when you're only the caretaker manager. Who's to say the next manager/coach wouldn't have developed Bowditch further?

I hope he makes it in the Danish League.

[Joser]

Bowditch's brother Dean(plays for Ipswich) said in the recent 4-4-2 that he'd love to play for Spurs, since his whole family has followed Spurs even before his brother played there. Dean is a sharp young striker and he dropped 2 in as a sub in the Anglican Derby which ended 2-0. Would love to see him come on board.

[sendorange]

Dean Bowditch is a very bright youngster, can also play left wing.

Ben Bowditch just didn't develop. He had a trial at West Ham earlier on in the season, but didn't pass it. Shame, but good luck to him and I hope he makes something out of his career.