Academy & U21s

[Mike E]

I think if we were clear in 2nd without risk of falling back to third, or if we were trapped in the playoff places (can't fall out or get to 2nd), that's when we'll try younger players.

[DanielMB]

Which of the youngsters backheeled the ball before the fourth goal in the 5-1 win. That was quite a display of technique. Was it Kyle Connell?

 

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by DanielMB

[roversfan99]

Just now, OnePhilT said:

Doyle has had two starts in the first team this season. I think Hart has had three first team starts. They are both 21, so still young.

I think we need to be careful about the expectation we put on our youth players. Nuttall was banging them in at U23 level, but from the chances he's been given in the senior team, it's evidence of the huge step up that we shouldn't forget about. I think Tomlinson is another example. He liked great in his first couple of appearances in the first team, and then looked a bit lost since then.

BUT...! They're young guys, and they'll get more chances - some will come good, some will fade, as is always the case. I don't think Mowbray has been unfair to them, just rightly cautious.

Correct, especially to get promoted you need consistency, which is why throwing in a raft of kids all at once is a bad idea, as they wont give you that. 1 or 2 maybe, correct on Nuttall, hes arguably our brightest u23 player yet hes so far away from Graham in terms of effectiveness, as youd expect.

[chaddyrovers]

Travis playing well for us now in the 1st team

[roversfan99]

Thought he was ok today, but nearly allowed them to nip in through on goal at the end, shown enough to prove he can cover but wouldnt rush to put him in the team.

[chaddyrovers]

Travis should start next game. Was ok? Must be watching a different game to me. 

[bazza]

The two CMs for me would be Travis and Lenihan in place of Smallwood and Bennett.

[roversfan99]

We need Lenihan at centre back, where hes impressed in the past, whereas hes never looked good enough on the ball to be a midfielder.

Smallwood is fine there, admittedly Bennett needs dropping. Wonder how long before Whittingham is back fit.

[blueboy3333]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

whereas hes never looked good enough on the ball to be a midfielder.

Disagree there. He's as good on the ball as Smallwood.

[blueboy3333]

Just now, bazza said:

The two CMs for me would be Travis and Lenihan in place of Smallwood and Bennett.

Smallwood, stunning winner at Fleetwood notwithstanding, has certainly had a dip in form since the Shrewsbury game. Same with Dack. It had to happen at some point. We need others to step up until they hit form again.

[roversfan99]

18 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

Disagree there. He's as good on the ball as Smallwood.

Agree to disagree on Lenihans ability to play central midfield, but surely you agree theres a big void next to Mulgrew with his name on it?

[blueboy3333]

23 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Agree to disagree on Lenihans ability to play central midfield, but surely you agree theres a big void next to Mulgrew with his name on it?

Absolutely. Downing is getting worse by the week. 

[RoverCanada]

17 hours ago, bazza said:

The two CMs for me would be Travis and Lenihan in place of Smallwood and Bennett.

Ah, yes, the Smallwood-Bennett pairing that was not long ago the cure to all of our midfield problems... we hardly knew ye.

[SkipDonoghue]

Goal keeper Olly Byrne who is a free agent after leaving Cardiff, is set to sign for Rovers, been on trial last week and impressed, another former United youngster

[blueboy3333]

4 minutes ago, SkipDonoghue said:

Goal keeper Olly Byrne who is a free agent after leaving Cardiff, is set to sign for Rovers, been on trial last week and impressed, another former United youngster

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2014/Jul/manchester-united-goalkeeper-special-oliver-byrne.aspx

From a few years ago^

He's 21 this year.

Edited February 12, 2018 by blueboy3333

[Stuart]

6 minutes ago, SkipDonoghue said:

Goal keeper Olly Byrne who is a free agent after leaving Cardiff, is set to sign for Rovers, been on trial last week and impressed, another former United youngster

We already have three development squad keepers on the books.

[chaddyrovers]

⚽️ | Goal for @Rovers on 73 minutes @wealdstonefc. #watfordfc U23s trail after substitute Jack Vale fires into the corner via the far post. 0-1

[Bigdoggsteel]

If Mowbray gets us up, he obviously deserves a crack at the Championship. However, at some point in the future I would love to see Johnson and Dunn as manager and assistant with ToMo in a director of football role. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I can't see Johnno hanging around for much longer. Football is a very small world and what he's doing at Rovers won't be going  un-noticed.

[JacknOry]

18 hours ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

If Mowbray gets us up, he obviously deserves a crack at the Championship. However, at some point in the future I would love to see Johnson and Dunn as manager and assistant with ToMo in a director of football role. 

Far too sensible for that lot.

Would be ideal though...TM can spot a player I give him that and this is one side we are not sure too much about with Johnno and Dunn - let them get on with the pitch side of things with TM guiding them.

[Tom]

Rovers have signed Okera Simmonds after he was released by Liverpool, 18 month deal

[Stuart]

Looked lively last week.

[jim mk2]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/15994250.Rovers_swoop_to_sign_forward_from_Liverpool/

[47er]

2 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/15994250.Rovers_swoop_to_sign_forward_from_Liverpool/

Encouraging. I like long-termism.

[blueboy3333]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/15997241._We_have_quality_young_players_throughout_the_system____Stuart_Jones_on_the_success_of_Rovers__Academy/?ref=mac

Good read.

The Mahoney deal still has to go to a Tribunal.