Are we sweating on any youngsters signing at the moment?
Personally I’m really worried we’re not going to see Patrick Casey sign up. Cracking prospect.
I’ve said it on here before, but a lad I taught who’s in the academy told me that Josh Laqeretabua is easily the biggest baller in the academy, but he was struck down by a bad injury, which I believe he has recovered from now, thankfully.
Spoke to his father at a recent game. He is now 6ft 2ins tall and working on building his muscle strength. Likely to go out on loan next season.
Since then I have been told some of the academy players have been informed they are going to be released. Won't mention names.
At every club at the end of the season masses of young players are released for various reasons. Eze was released 3 times from pro clubs before looking good at QPR and then Palace (poor penalty taker !) Charlton have a higher percentage then many but still low in comparison too the many who start at pro clubs from the ridiculous age of six for some.
Are we sweating on any youngsters signing at the moment?
Personally I’m really worried we’re not going to see Patrick Casey sign up. Cracking prospect.
I’ve said it on here before, but a lad I taught who’s in the academy told me that Josh Laqeretabua is easily the biggest baller in the academy, but he was struck down by a bad injury, which I believe he has recovered from now, thankfully.
Spoke to his father at a recent game. He is now 6ft 2ins tall and working on building his muscle strength. Likely to go out on loan next season.
Since then I have been told some of the academy players have been informed they are going to be released. Won't mention names.
Are we sweating on any youngsters signing at the moment?
Personally I’m really worried we’re not going to see Patrick Casey sign up. Cracking prospect.
I’ve said it on here before, but a lad I taught who’s in the academy told me that Josh Laqeretabua is easily the biggest baller in the academy, but he was struck down by a bad injury, which I believe he has recovered from now, thankfully.
Spoke to his father at a recent game. He is now 6ft 2ins tall and working on building his muscle strength. Likely to go out on loan next season.
Since then I have been told some of the academy players have been informed they are going to be released. Won't mention names.
Imagine Toure is one, perhaps Kedwell and Bower too. Only my guesses. Not ITK.
Are we sweating on any youngsters signing at the moment?
Personally I’m really worried we’re not going to see Patrick Casey sign up. Cracking prospect.
I’ve said it on here before, but a lad I taught who’s in the academy told me that Josh Laqeretabua is easily the biggest baller in the academy, but he was struck down by a bad injury, which I believe he has recovered from now, thankfully.
Spoke to his father at a recent game. He is now 6ft 2ins tall and working on building his muscle strength. Likely to go out on loan next season.
Since then I have been told some of the academy players have been informed they are going to be released. Won't mention names.
Laqeretabua I assume, rather than Casey?
Casey.
Interesting, a loan could really help him progress if we find the right club. He’s a good goalscorer but it doesn’t surprise me to hear he’s looking to get stronger, for me he’ll need to if he’s going to make it here.
Not being the quickest my feeling is he needs to hold up the ball and link the play well, being a good poacher won’t be enough. First team football will help him develop those areas more than u21 games will, with the step up in physicality and intensity.
Are we sweating on any youngsters signing at the moment?
Personally I’m really worried we’re not going to see Patrick Casey sign up. Cracking prospect.
I’ve said it on here before, but a lad I taught who’s in the academy told me that Josh Laqeretabua is easily the biggest baller in the academy, but he was struck down by a bad injury, which I believe he has recovered from now, thankfully.
Spoke to his father at a recent game. He is now 6ft 2ins tall and working on building his muscle strength. Likely to go out on loan next season.
Since then I have been told some of the academy players have been informed they are going to be released. Won't mention names.
Imagine Toure is one, perhaps Kedwell and Bower too. Only my guesses. Not ITK.
Yeah he’s one of the younger ones I expect has a longer deal, but no contract length was mentioned in the announcement so it’s not impossible he’s out of contract.
Bower’s biggest problem is his lack of height sadly. Wand of a left foot but the physicality will be an issue Toure I’m surprised has clung on for this long Hobden is a bit of a utility man and actually a decent right back with good pace so might get another year Huke is technically excellent but doesn’t fit the mould of the modern academy player because he’s small. Would be a shame to see him go
I teach one who is apparently leaving, but already in discussions with Brentford...
How can he (whoever he is) not be good enough for us but good enough for Brentford to want him?
Sometimes a squad has, for example, lot of forwards but no right backs so the club looks for a RB released by another side to balance out the squad.
Sadly, at development level some players are signed or retained so that there are enough players to field a side not necessarily because they are thought good enough.
Or it could just be that we've got it wrong, assuming that they actually sign for Brentford.
Bower’s biggest problem is his lack of height sadly. Wand of a left foot but the physicality will be an issue Toure I’m surprised has clung on for this long Hobden is a bit of a utility man and actually a decent right back with good pace so might get another year Huke is technically excellent but doesn’t fit the mould of the modern academy player because he’s small. Would be a shame to see him go
Agree on all four.
Bower's also not particularly quick either and Henry’s point above has to be considered - he has Enslin ahead of him at LWB. His lack of size holds him back for the LCB position too.
Toure at 21 will surely want regular first team game time somewhere.
Hobden's an interesting one, doesn't stand out to me in u21 games in terms of being a top prospect compared to some of our players, but he might push on through sheer effort. A reliable player at that level, works hard and gets stuck in, plays his part defensively and when joining the attack.
Coming back to Henry’s point, Huke is another with strong competition with Fullah and potentially Enslin (if we play him through the middle). We’ll need an alternative to Berry next season so there could be a pathway there for one of them. I like the way Huke gets in the box and scores the scrappier goals - a real basic for an attacking midfielder but not something they all do.
Would be a shame if Bower was released , has a cracking setpiece delivery but I understand if there's concerns about him physically. Huke seems to be a regular scorer for the 21s but I wonder if he's another Euan Williams?
Would be a shame if Bower was released , has a cracking setpiece delivery but I understand if there's concerns about him physically. Huke seems to be a regular scorer for the 21s but I wonder if he's another Euan Williams?
I looked up Euan Williams recently to see how he’s getting on - he’s starting to break through at Gillingham which is good to see. Didn’t he suffer from injuries with us which didn’t help? He made his first team debut with us so must have been rated by the club at the time.
On the physicality point, I think the difficulty is a player can be very reliable at academy level, technically good and intelligent, but they need to offer something physically at first team level. That could be pace, strength or excellent fitness and work rate. It must be hard for players who are good footballers but don’t stand out as athletes at least in some way.
Would be a shame if Bower was released , has a cracking setpiece delivery but I understand if there's concerns about him physically. Huke seems to be a regular scorer for the 21s but I wonder if he's another Euan Williams?
I looked up Euan Williams recently to see how he’s getting on - he’s starting to break through at Gillingham which is good to see. Didn’t he suffer from injuries with us which didn’t help? He made his first team debut with us so must have been rated by the club at the time.
On the physicality point, I think the difficulty is a player can be very reliable at academy level, technically good and intelligent, but they need to offer something physically at first team level. That could be pace, strength or excellent fitness and work rate. It must be hard for players who are good footballers but don’t stand out as athletes at least in some way.
Suspect your second point is why we haven’t seen much of Casey in the first team. I haven’t watched a huge amount of U21 games but he always looked fairly slight. If he’s grown as posted earlier and he can keep his eye for goal he could have a great career. Get him on loan to somewhere like Bromley and he could make a mega leap forward
Would be a shame if Bower was released , has a cracking setpiece delivery but I understand if there's concerns about him physically. Huke seems to be a regular scorer for the 21s but I wonder if he's another Euan Williams?
I looked up Euan Williams recently to see how he’s getting on - he’s starting to break through at Gillingham which is good to see. Didn’t he suffer from injuries with us which didn’t help? He made his first team debut with us so must have been rated by the club at the time.
On the physicality point, I think the difficulty is a player can be very reliable at academy level, technically good and intelligent, but they need to offer something physically at first team level. That could be pace, strength or excellent fitness and work rate. It must be hard for players who are good footballers but don’t stand out as athletes at least in some way.
Yeah Williams suffered really badly with injuries , think he got an extra year because he tore a hamstring. Talent was always there but injuries seemed to be constant.
I can completely see this , can have a player that's technically excellent and a reliable 7/10 every week at age group but just doesn't quite have that extra edge to push them into the first team reckoning.
Would be a shame if Bower was released , has a cracking setpiece delivery but I understand if there's concerns about him physically. Huke seems to be a regular scorer for the 21s but I wonder if he's another Euan Williams?
I looked up Euan Williams recently to see how he’s getting on - he’s starting to break through at Gillingham which is good to see. Didn’t he suffer from injuries with us which didn’t help? He made his first team debut with us so must have been rated by the club at the time.
On the physicality point, I think the difficulty is a player can be very reliable at academy level, technically good and intelligent, but they need to offer something physically at first team level. That could be pace, strength or excellent fitness and work rate. It must be hard for players who are good footballers but don’t stand out as athletes at least in some way.
Yeah Williams suffered really badly with injuries , think he got an extra year because he tore a hamstring. Talent was always there but injuries seemed to be constant.
I can completely see this , can have a player that's technically excellent and a reliable 7/10 every week at age group but just doesn't quite have that extra edge to push them into the first team reckoning.
Academy sides also really need those 7/10 type players, they create a good anchor for others to take risks and learn. Kedwell seems that player for us at the moment, consistent but doesn’t pull up trees
I think players can make big jumps sometimes and there are a lot of factors in this, one of them being confidence. We all know that most won't make it and I think it is important that parents try to ensure their kids and indeed themselves don't put all of their eggs in one basket. My son was in Spurs' academy for a short time but we never assumed he would go all the way, just supported him but made sure his education was the priority. He is a fine keeper but at just under 6ft, a bit on the short side. Kids grow up differently and then you have the lottery of injuries.
I teach one who is apparently leaving, but already in discussions with Brentford...
How can he (whoever he is) not be good enough for us but good enough for Brentford to want him?
Sometimes a squad has, for example, lot of forwards but no right backs so the club looks for a RB released by another side to balance out the squad.
Sadly, at development level some players are signed or retained so that there are enough players to field a side not necessarily because they are thought good enough.
Or it could just be that we've got it wrong, assuming that they actually sign for Brentford.
Clubs make punts all the time, it's not an exact science. I vaguely remember us releasing a player who then signed for Watford, but he didn't break through there either
I teach one who is apparently leaving, but already in discussions with Brentford...
How can he (whoever he is) not be good enough for us but good enough for Brentford to want him?
Sometimes a squad has, for example, lot of forwards but no right backs so the club looks for a RB released by another side to balance out the squad.
Sadly, at development level some players are signed or retained so that there are enough players to field a side not necessarily because they are thought good enough.
Or it could just be that we've got it wrong, assuming that they actually sign for Brentford.
Clubs make punts all the time, it's not an exact science. I vaguely remember us releasing a player who then signed for Watford, but he didn't break through there either
Toby Stevenson, looks like he’s now playing for either Chatham or Brentwood
I teach one who is apparently leaving, but already in discussions with Brentford...
How can he (whoever he is) not be good enough for us but good enough for Brentford to want him?
Sometimes a squad has, for example, lot of forwards but no right backs so the club looks for a RB released by another side to balance out the squad.
Sadly, at development level some players are signed or retained so that there are enough players to field a side not necessarily because they are thought good enough.
Or it could just be that we've got it wrong, assuming that they actually sign for Brentford.
Clubs make punts all the time, it's not an exact science. I vaguely remember us releasing a player who then signed for Watford, but he didn't break through there either
Stephenson. Now playing non-league.
There was also Terrell Agyemang who signed for Man City and then Middlesbrough. Now on loan at Airdrie
Comments
At every club at the end of the season masses of young players are released for various reasons.
Eze was released 3 times from pro clubs before looking good at QPR and then Palace (poor penalty taker !)
Charlton have a higher percentage then many but still low in comparison too the many who start at pro clubs from the ridiculous age of six for some.
Not being the quickest my feeling is he needs to hold up the ball and link the play well, being a good poacher won’t be enough. First team football will help him develop those areas more than u21 games will, with the step up in physicality and intensity.
Hobden and Huke are also out of contract. Possibly MacLorg, Hunter, Mwamba and Gough too.
Quite a few decisions to be made. I think the younger ones at least will get new deals.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/alan-mwamba-signs-first-professional-contract
Seems like he's been unlucky compared to others of his Age group, to just not get a chance.
Toure I’m surprised has clung on for this long
Hobden is a bit of a utility man and actually a decent right back with good pace so might get another year
Huke is technically excellent but doesn’t fit the mould of the modern academy player because he’s small. Would be a shame to see him go
Sadly, at development level some players are signed or retained so that there are enough players to field a side not necessarily because they are thought good enough.
Or it could just be that we've got it wrong, assuming that they actually sign for Brentford.
Bower's also not particularly quick either and Henry’s point above has to be considered - he has Enslin ahead of him at LWB. His lack of size holds him back for the LCB position too.
Toure at 21 will surely want regular first team game time somewhere.
Hobden's an interesting one, doesn't stand out to me in u21 games in terms of being a top prospect compared to some of our players, but he might push on through sheer effort. A reliable player at that level, works hard and gets stuck in, plays his part defensively and when joining the attack.
Coming back to Henry’s point, Huke is another with strong competition with Fullah and potentially Enslin (if we play him through the middle). We’ll need an alternative to Berry next season so there could be a pathway there for one of them. I like the way Huke gets in the box and scores the scrappier goals - a real basic for an attacking midfielder but not something they all do.
https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=149005
On the physicality point, I think the difficulty is a player can be very reliable at academy level, technically good and intelligent, but they need to offer something physically at first team level. That could be pace, strength or excellent fitness and work rate. It must be hard for players who are good footballers but don’t stand out as athletes at least in some way.
Yeah Williams suffered really badly with injuries , think he got an extra year because he tore a hamstring. Talent was always there but injuries seemed to be constant.
I can completely see this , can have a player that's technically excellent and a reliable 7/10 every week at age group but just doesn't quite have that extra edge to push them into the first team reckoning.
Edit: From the start of this season you must have at least a Cat. 3 Academy...
https://archive.trainingground.guru/articles/premier-league-clubs-must-be-at-least-category-three-by-2024-25#:~:text=ALL Premier League clubs must,General Meeting earlier this summer.
There was also Terrell Agyemang who signed for Man City and then Middlesbrough. Now on loan at Airdrie