I was just dealing with the realities. Presumably he'll be on his bike before he's left school. Whenever a team loses with young players in the side they always get it in the neck - whether they deserve it or not. That's why it's vital they win. Whenever Wenger's young guns had a good run in the CC they'd be praised to the skies - when they eventually lost (as is inevitable for most sides) they'd then get a pasting. And so would Wenger for giving them the chances. Even so, Morrison did enough to work himself into the side from here on in. Wenger's idea of the first two years in the Academy, getting experience of reserve football in the second year, and moving up to first team football or out on loan in the third year, is about right. People often complain about young lads not getting a chance in the first team but they have to show they are good enough to be given a go and then take it. When Man U tamely lost to Leeds Fergie was so angry and disappointed that within days he had ********ed Welbeck of to Preston for a dose of the "real world" and a reality check.
This is spot on. It the realities I guess but as most of us know, winning isn't everything at youth level and a young player won't necessarily grab the headlines for every game at the beginning of their senior careers. We all know the average joe that doesn't understand the values of young players learning and progressing as they far from their peak in their careers is how it will be. If a youngster is good enough, its all about short term pain for long term gain because of a lack of consistency possibly but most football fans/writers lack patience. The Welbeck example is also perfect of an example of progression of a young footballer and I think this was an important part of his progress. He didn't sparkle in the NPC but it definitely helped his all-round game.
Anyone heard of Byron Lawerence, CM for Ipswich? Supposed to be a real talent but not been called up for England so far.
Saw him play and score against us earlier in the season. He's short, a little stocky but a tidy little player.
He's been training with their seniors and made the bench for a Carling Cup game. Quite interesting to note the players that haven't even gained a cap.
To be honest i would rather there be too many 15/16 year old kids to choose from than hardly any at all like in the past IMO
They rate Luke Shaw as the best left back so his chances will be limited there. They could probably have given him a bit of time further up the pitch considering they have been trying to play with wide options without having a genuine left winger to play.
Yes, nice bit of match-making there - will be a good test and early experience of what they'll be up against. I'd like to see Hayden the Chelsea c/b return and perhaps Everton's George Green (what with all the hype). Some TV channel should step in and show it - I'm assuming it would be very cheap to do and they could tuck it away on ITV4 (or similar).
I hadn't realised that Man City are supposed to be trying to nick Chelsea's Connor Hunte: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...r-City-want-Chelsea-teenager-Conor-Hunte.html
dug this up off Twitter. brilliant read about Chelsea and their up and comers (through U13's): http://bluetinted.com/Site/Articles/Articles.aspx?articleid=212
http://in2eastafrica.net/bobby-tracks-foreign-born-ugandans/ Kiwomya was not mentioned in the news but I've checked(& Juni pointed out earlier) that he will be also inquired over his NT availability
Quick anecdote: back in 06 I turned up to a youth game an hour early by accident and had little else to do but watch the U8s go through training. Their level of ability was staggering but one lad in particular stood out. I know he's still there and he's U13 now, won't name him but he's part of the sort of groups that Yaqub refers to there. As mentioned on Twitter though, I don't really like to talk up individuals by name before their time comes. If they're picked by England or feature in major youth tournaments fine, but I'll let others do that before then. Perhaps it's because I've seen and experienced both sides of the child protection stuff at football clubs, I dunno. Lots of discussion points I'd gladly cover in person but rarely online!
Not to mention how one of the ballboys from that grp(99 born age grp) left Ross Turnbull stranded & curled a shot into the top corner(from Lampard encouragement) during the warm-up before a PL game. Later saw a mobile capture of the same & that was pretty impressive.
https://twitter.com/#!/thefadotcom/status/154867417401667584 Was hoping this would be in England. Great experience for this group though.
shocked at the answer to the England int'l supply question! must be one of those 1890-1914's type things i got a paltry...two...
Dan Crowley has been picked by Ireland's U16's to play in mid-January. Our game against Spain is in mid-February.
Another tug of war seems to be on hand then with Ireland, atleast he already has caps with us whereas Grealish didn't. Though this a very unwelcome development.
He already played for them at U15 level I think so it's another U15 issue. Not sure what will go on from here though. Ireland's games are in Portugal and then ours are in Spain. Doubt Villa will be happy with him going on both or maybe I'm reading too much into that.
Yeah I know he had been capped before by them at U15, wasn't Allassani too? We really should have an U15 level by now, it's bizarre we don't tbh. If we did, we may not be running into these situations.
Someone on a Villa forum who watches him play Gaelic football seems pretty confident he will play for Ireland due to a strong Irish background