Academy & U21s

[Guest]

Joe Grayson would absolutely have played regular first team football for either this club, or another, at some point within the next few years of his career. He's a very talented lad, and I worry that his injury, added onto his unusually average game against Oldham in the cup earlier in the season, may set him back completely.

Would echo the sentiments that we're a CB factory. When you look at pure Blackburn academy players, not people like Travis, Butterworth, JRC and look at the lads in the 23's that have been at the club since aged 9, ALL the best talent are defenders. 

I wonder if we have a very good defensive coach somewhere in the youth set up down the line at Rovers maybe?!

Edited January 7, 2020 by JoeH

[Parsonblue]

Last night was like watching a re-run of the Birmingham Cup-tie - dominate possession but unable to score.  The highlight for me was the appearance of Luke Brennan as a sub in the second-half.  Reminded me of a young Duff the way he dribbled down that left wing.  Put in some good crosses as well.  What I particularly liked about him was the way the ball was always under his control when running with it.  I thought we were unlucky not to take at least a point but, in fairness, Brighton defended well - sometimes with ten men back in the box - although some of their play was rather theatrical when they were tackled. 

[Bigdoggsteel]

The young lads getting the same bad habits! 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Parsonblue said:

Last night was like watching a re-run of the Birmingham Cup-tie - dominate possession but unable to score.  The highlight for me was the appearance of Luke Brennan as a sub in the second-half.  Reminded me of a young Duff the way he dribbled down that left wing.  Put in some good crosses as well.  What I particularly liked about him was the way the ball was always under his control when running with it.  I thought we were unlucky not to take at least a point but, in fairness, Brighton defended well - sometimes with ten men back in the box - although some of their play was rather theatrical when they were tackled. 

On another tack it crossed my mind the other day that Premier League teams are turning the game into a non contact sport. The amount of players that just throw themselves down on the ground in tight situations is getting beyond a joke. What's less funny is how the refs fall for it 9 times of 10.

[bluebruce]

18 hours ago, JoeH said:

Joe Grayson would absolutely have played regular first team football for either this club, or another, at some point within the next few years of his career. He's a very talented lad, and I worry that his injury, added onto his unusually average game against Oldham in the cup earlier in the season, may set him back completely.

Would echo the sentiments that we're a CB factory. When you look at pure Blackburn academy players, not people like Travis, Butterworth, JRC and look at the lads in the 23's that have been at the club since aged 9, ALL the best talent are defenders. 

I wonder if we have a very good defensive coach somewhere in the youth set up down the line at Rovers maybe?!

I remember it being said some years ago that our academy focused a little too much on physical development rather than skill. This might explain why we churn out so many good defenders vs attackers. Then we hoover up the ones who escape through the cracks of the elite clubs' youth systems, who have been schooled heavily in technique, for our young attackers.

[Bigdoggsteel]

What a little bollox

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11905025/taylor-harwood-bellis-man-city-defender-denies-taunting-scunthorpe-striker-over-earnings

[oldjamfan1]

15 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

What a little bollox

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11905025/taylor-harwood-bellis-man-city-defender-denies-taunting-scunthorpe-striker-over-earnings

Is that a phrase these days, to "cash someone off"? Well, that's a new one on me. I'm certainly not in a position to do that to anyone ha ha.

[JacknOry]

Hope that twat never makes the grade and disappears down the leagues.

These kids think they are all bling and have made it in their careers already. 

[Lie_still_Rover]

I always liked the look of Matty Platt, what's happened with him? 

[bluebruce]

1 hour ago, Lie_still_Rover said:

I always liked the look of Matty Platt, what's happened with him? 

Do you want setting up?

[chaddyrovers]

1 hour ago, Lie_still_Rover said:

I always liked the look of Matty Platt, what's happened with him? 

On loan at Barrow

[unsall]

U/23s 1 up at Wolves, free on Wolves TV

[bluebruce]

17 minutes ago, unsall said:

U/23s 1 up at Wolves, free on Wolves TV

Link?

[unsall]

2 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Link?

Google Wolves TV,register, and watch, 2 mins to register

[bluebruce]

1 minute ago, unsall said:

Google Wolves TV,register, and watch, 2 mins to register

Did it while waiting lol. 

https://tv.wolves.co.uk/live/

[bluebruce]

Goal was by Lyons btw. Lineup:

Hilton

Charley Doyle, Sam Barnes, Hayden Carter, Sam Hart

Lyons, Smallwood, Buckley, Mols

Paton, Vale

(probably not positionally accurate)

A stunning 27% possession for us...

[bluebruce]

Paton has missed two good chances this half.

[bluebruce]

Wolves commentator has said Lyons has been the best player on the pitch, and comparing him to Travis. Doyle injured, Isaac Whitehall off the bench.

Edited January 10, 2020 by bluebruce

[bluebruce]

Pretty sure I just heard Barr shouting for Smallwood to push further up the pitch during an attack (unless Wolves have a player called Richie).

He promptly did no such thing and stayed more or less exactly where he was.

Brennan on for Vale.

[bluebruce]

Wolves should have levelled.

Lyons spending a fair bit of time on the floor after a big lad of theirs smashed into his ankle. Up now.

[bluebruce]

Wolves player blatantly rugby tackling our lad to the deck...via his neck. Free kick but no card. Odd.

Lewis Thompson on for Lyons.

[bluebruce]

Full time, 1-0 win.

[unsall]

Didn’t know Scott Sellars was their manager........

[Vilesinner]

Sounded like Hilton had a fine game?

Lyons could be worth a chance in the squad soon? 

[Parsonblue]

Excellent performance by the Under-21's last night at St. George's Park - and what an outstanding venue that is.  

We really ought to have won by more than one and controlled the game for long periods.  Joe Hilton was faultless in goal and looks a real prospect.  The two young centre-back - Hayden Carter and Sam Barnes were outstanding whilst Brad Lyons ran the show in midfield.  Stef Mols worked tirelessly - another impressive display by this lad.  Quite how Lyons and Mols can't make the bench I find astonishing at times.  It would be a real blow if these two lads end up leaving without being given at least a chance in a Cup game to show what they can do.

Finally, what an impressive place St. George's Park is as the centre for our national game.  The Hotel, the FA Building the floodlit pitches - indoor and outdoor - are all immaculate.  It must cost a fortune to maintain it at that level but I suspect the hotel brings in a huge amount of money with the number of clubs that use it.  The pitches were like billiard tables not a blade of grass out of place.  An unbelievable place!