Academy & U21s

[bluebruce]

4 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

1pm also on the Fulham site.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/february/25/U21-Blackburn-Preview/
 

The preview story will be based on a template that they don’t bother checking before publishing. See errors like that all the time with tickets prices etc. The turnstiles were opening at ‘1.30pm’ for a night match the other week.

Embarrassingly amateurish. In fact amateurs would probably be embarrassed.

[ben_the_beast]

Interesting that there's no Leonard in that side. Maybe he's in line to be on the bench against Leicester?

[Mattyblue]

I’d say so.

The first team squad is staying down in the midlands until the game, so that probably explains why Wharton is the only one that’s been around the first team playing today.

[bluebruce]

Losing 3-1. Really need to start putting some points on the board or there's still a risk of relegation.

[chaddyrovers]

2 - 3 now

[bluebruce]

Finished 3-2 to Fulham. Goals from Walker (penalty) and Saadi for us. Stats suggest a fairly even game.

[Parsonblue]

Awful performance from the Under-21's.  Totally outplayed by a far superior side.

[riverholmes]

Wonder if we are hitting a trough, when it comes to the youth conveyor belt, given the struggles of the U23s to compete in what is, admittedly, the top tier of reserve football in this country. It might be unfair to judge yet, as many are new to this level and with the growing investment in the Premier League, those clubs are getting ever bigger squads. Injuries to Cirino, Batty, Whitehall, Barnes, Baker and Burns have weakened the side further and, also, perhaps, the departure of former manager, Billy Barr.

[Exiled_Rover]

5 minutes ago, riverholmes said:

Wonder if we are hitting a trough, when it comes to the youth conveyor belt, given the struggles of the U23s to compete in what is, admittedly, the top tier of reserve football in this country. It might be unfair to judge yet, as many are new to this level and with the growing investment in the Premier League, those clubs are getting ever bigger squads. Injuries to Cirino, Batty, Whitehall, Barnes, Baker and Burns have weakened the side further and, also, perhaps, the departure of former manager, Billy Barr.

It doesn't help that Phillips, Garrett and A. Wharton are away with the First XI. 

[chaddyrovers]

How did Adam Wharton play today?

[chaddyrovers]

1 hour ago, Exiled_Rover said:

It doesn't help that Phillips, Garrett and A. Wharton are away with the First XI. 

Adam Wharton was playing today

[rigger]

2 hours ago, riverholmes said:

Wonder if we are hitting a trough, when it comes to the youth conveyor belt, given the struggles of the U23s to compete in what is, admittedly, the top tier of reserve football in this country. It might be unfair to judge yet, as many are new to this level and with the growing investment in the Premier League, those clubs are getting ever bigger squads. Injuries to Cirino, Batty, Whitehall, Barnes, Baker and Burns have weakened the side further and, also, perhaps, the departure of former manager, Billy Barr.

Plus it's U21s, and now we are using the better players from the U18's. Success of the team is secondary to personal development.

Edited February 26, 2023 by rigger

[bluebruce]

21 hours ago, riverholmes said:

Wonder if we are hitting a trough, when it comes to the youth conveyor belt, given the struggles of the U23s to compete in what is, admittedly, the top tier of reserve football in this country. It might be unfair to judge yet, as many are new to this level and with the growing investment in the Premier League, those clubs are getting ever bigger squads. Injuries to Cirino, Batty, Whitehall, Barnes, Baker and Burns have weakened the side further and, also, perhaps, the departure of former manager, Billy Barr.

I think it's more to do with the injuries you mention, players being pulled out of it for the first team and much of the squad used in a lot of games essentially being under-18s. We had a very similar dip in results I think it was 2-3 seasons back, and the next season kicked on again...in fact didn't they start pretty badly last season then surged late on? Lads currently playing in the U21s will be bigger, tougher, more experienced by next season.

Think there are still players to come through. Whitehall, Batty, Barnes and Burns from the injury list you mentioned, have all been well regarded at some point or another. Goddard who is out on loan. Gilsenan and Harlock have been well spoken of in the past too.  Walker has great technique. And there is still a whole U18 side that I'm largely unfamiliar with.

Edited February 27, 2023 by bluebruce

[neophox]

Is Ethan Walker a prospect? He's looking a beast on the pitch...only 20 years old.

[Mattyblue]

We’ve had a 17, 18 and 19 year old play first team league games this season… some trough!

[Parsonblue]

11 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Adam Wharton was playing today

To be honest not very well.  In fairness, he is coming back from injury and was playing a deeper role today but looked a little off the pace at times.  He needs more games to fully get back to full fitness.  I suspect it will be next season before we see him knocking on the door of the first team.

[Sweaty Gussets]

Is Georgie Gent a good 'un? Not seen him live but on clips I've seen he looks like a pacey FB/Winger?

[wilsdenrover]

3 hours ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

Is Georgie Gent a good 'un? Not seen him live but on clips I've seen he looks like a pacey FB/Winger?

He sounds like a P.G. Wodehouse character 

[chaddyrovers]

4 hours ago, Parsonblue said:

To be honest not very well.  In fairness, he is coming back from injury and was playing a deeper role today but looked a little off the pace at times.  He needs more games to fully get back to full fitness.  I suspect it will be next season before we see him knocking on the door of the first team.

not good to hear

[rigger]

7 hours ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

Is Georgie Gent a good 'un? Not seen him live but on clips I've seen he looks like a pacey FB/Winger?

He is not as good as Batty in those positions.

[briansol]

On 26/02/2023 at 20:31, riverholmes said:

Wonder if we are hitting a trough, when it comes to the youth conveyor belt, given the struggles of the U23s to compete in what is, admittedly, the top tier of reserve football in this country. It might be unfair to judge yet, as many are new to this level and with the growing investment in the Premier League, those clubs are getting ever bigger squads. Injuries to Cirino, Batty, Whitehall, Barnes, Baker and Burns have weakened the side further and, also, perhaps, the departure of former manager, Billy Barr.

Probably not fair to compare this year's U21 to previous. Most of the talents that normally would be the core has been moved up (Batty, Garrett, Wharton, Phillips) combined with a few injuries as well. Some of the lineups has been very young and pretty weak. The current U18 is not close to last year, but in fairness that was considered a golden generation. 

[bluebruce]

On 28/02/2023 at 17:35, briansol said:

Probably not fair to compare this year's U21 to previous. Most of the talents that normally would be the core has been moved up (Batty, Garrett, Wharton, Phillips) combined with a few injuries as well. Some of the lineups has been very young and pretty weak. The current U18 is not close to last year, but in fairness that was considered a golden generation. 

The current U18s will also be more weakly stocked, as their best players have been needed in the U21s to fill the gap left by those moved up.

[rigger]

U21's have a strong team for tonights trip to Leicester.

[bluebruce]

Hedges scored after 6 minutes. Leonard assist. Tried to find a stream somewhere but no joy. I'm sure Leicester used to let you watch u21 games if you had a free account on their site.

Edited March 6, 2023 by bluebruce

[rigger]

Rovers 0-1 up, Hedges.