After another promising victory over Liverpool in the under 21's premier league I thought it was about time to take a look at the success of the format and our youngsters in general.
We have seen a lot of promising young players coming through the system, many of which are on the fringe of the first team or out on decent loans - so is this just a case of a 'good crop' or is our youth system finally maturing to one of the best in the country?
I'm a big fan of the new U21 and U18 leagues and not just because we are doing well (1st and 2nd in our groups) but because it gives the kids some good competition. I'm also really pleased to see them playing the same brand of football as our first team; it makes sense as they can come into the team understanding the tactics.
So I guess the point of this article is to open up debate on how people see the new league formats and more importantly how everyone rates our youth system right now?
The Youngsters...
posted on 12/2/13
You saw why Obika may not make the final step up in that moment in the Leeds game.
I noted that Parrett looked a lot physically leaner than when I saw him in 2011. Spur said that he thought Parrett this season has been playing his best football of the past 3 yrs.
posted on 12/2/13
Obika needs a decent load instead of bloody Yeovil!! See how he gets on in the Championship maybe?
I like Kane but he needs some confidence and a bit more strength.
posted on 12/2/13
"I like Kane but he needs some confidence and a bit more strength."
When I watch games like yesterday I do not think Kane can make it. He is not the fastest of foot, but he is not like Teddy in awareness to compensate for that.
posted on 12/2/13
Huddlestone's Afro,
I think AVB places more importance in the youth system from what I hear - much more so than Harry did.
====================
Are you mad?
Where do you think players like Caulker, Walker, Naughton, Townsend & Livermore have come from?
How many players has AVB brought in from the youth system?
He's only been in the job 5 minutes so i wouldn't particularly expect to see many, but if you're going to say the new regime is better than the old at bring players through, you must have at least some examples to speak of.
posted on 12/2/13
Great Harry who nearly sold Bale for 5 million before BAE got injured
posted on 12/2/13
doo doo's,
Harry did not nearly sell Bale. Where are you getting your information from?
If it hadnt been for Harry, Bale would either be 2nd choice to BAE at LB or playing regularly somewhere else at LB.
posted on 12/2/13
Anyway, apart from that - that wasn't really my point.
I just dont see how you can praise AVB over the youth set up with no success stories of bringing players through, compared to the previous regime who brought through plenty - more than we have seen in donkeys years.
posted on 12/2/13
Hadn't been for Harry? If it hadn't of been for BAE getting injured for more like
posted on 12/2/13
doo doo's,
So we credit AVB for bringing youth players through where there aren't any examples, but we credit BAE for Bale's progress from LB, to LW, to whatever.
To BAE...
Seriously, dont be daft.
posted on 12/2/13
@doo doos
You talking About Luis martins?
Our youngsters are very good there is a better batch underneath the under 18s. we owe everything to Commoli and inglethorpe.
Funny how us and Liverpool have the best youth teams in the country hey?
At this stage Harry is miles better with the youngsters than avb but freund will help push the youngsters through. It's part of his job.