[Archived] Under 18S Up To Second In League

[klos]

u 18 premier leagueNORTH GROUP

CLUB

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W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Man City U18

8

6

2

0

15

5

10

20

Blackburn U18

7

4

2

1

16

7

9

14

Everton U18

6

4

1

1

14

7

7

13

Sunderland U18

7

4

0

3

15

12

3

12

Man Utd U18

7

3

2

2

13

11

2

11

Middlesbrough U18

8

3

1

4

16

15

1

10

Liverpool U18

6

3

1

2

11

10

1

10

Wolves U18

7

2

0

5

8

14

-6

6

Derby U18

6

1

2

3

9

12

-3

5

West Brom U18

6

1

2

3

6

11

-5

5

Stoke U18

7

1

2

4

4

13

-9

5

Newcastle U18

7

1

1

5

7

17

-10

4

with a win over everton u 18s are among early pacesetters well worth watching at brockhall

[chaddyrovers]

Rovers under 18's are performing very well this season.

Would be good to see a couple of them breaking into the 1st team in the next 2/3 seasons.

Isn't Billy Barr the coach of the under 18's side?

[Parsonblue]

An excellent start for the Academy. Looks like the changes that Eric made in the summer are starting to pay off - not bad for what some would have us believe is a "dumbed down Academy"

[1arC]

We have a young goalkeeper coming through, who could be a star in the making. His father, Calvin was a good keeper, but never quite made it as a professional. He is currently at the academy and in the under 16's. His name is Bradley Wade and I wish him all the best.

[Riverside67]

Good game versus Everton yesterday and a tribute to both clubs.. Rovers were more direct but still managed some decent passages of play. Mansell for the first hour caused them real problems and really Rovers should have scored at least another two.

The midfield of Everton was excellent with some lovely interchanges of play. They had a decent wide man on the left as well who looked a good prospect. They also seem to have found another good centre half who had a really good game.

Rovers central defence have the uncertainty of the first team but to be fair they restricted Everton to only a few chances and their goal even came from an unlucky slice of a clearance from a Rovers player.

All in all we were competitive for most of the match against what is always a good academy. Unfortunately the sending off distorted the game as I am sure Everton would have really tested the Rovers in the last 20 mins.

Well done to all down at Brockhall as I think youth is our only salvation now and we appear to be going in the right direction once more.. I am not sure how the under 21s are doing but at least at this level we seem to have found a decent bunch of players again.

[Iceman]

An excellent start for the Academy. Looks like the changes that Eric made in the summer are starting to pay off - not bad for what some would have us believe is a "dumbed down Academy"

Its by no means a dumbed down academy, still a top academy imo. But, its what happens to these kids when they get older, and how management and the club handle them. We have had so many promising kids, but never getting a proper chance.

As i said in another thread, if a previous academy coach wont give the kids a chance, then im afraid its going to be very difficult for them to step up into the 1st team.

[chris_h]

Its by no means a dumbed down academy, still a top academy imo. But, its what happens to these kids when they get older, and how management and the club handle them. We have had so many promising kids, but never getting a proper chance.

As i said in another thread, if a previous academy coach wont give the kids a chance, then im afraid its going to be very difficult for them to step up into the 1st team.

Who are these kids that don't get a chance? Who isn't getting a game that should and how do you know?

[Iceman]

Who are these kids that don't get a chance? Who isn't getting a game that should and how do you know?

I said we have HAD so many in the past Chris. I can think only of Henley that has done well to play regularly. How do i know? You can see for yourself Chris, i dont have to tell you, that we are not giving the young kids a chance. Did we not have a promising striker from the academy or U/21's, instead of signing Varney or Chris Brown?

[chris_h]

I said we have HAD so many in the past Chris. I can think only of Henley that has done well to play regularly. How do i know? You can see for yourself Chris, i dont have to tell you, that we are not giving the young kids a chance. Did we not have a promising striker from the academy or U/21's, instead of signing Varney or Chris Brown?

Well I'll ask you again, which of these young players isn't getting a chance who should?

[Iceman]

Im going to put my neck on the block here, but O Sullivan and Tomlinson should have been given more of a chance, especially off the bench.

Other players who should get a look in is Lavelle, Rittenberg and maybe Mansell.

Chris question for you, are you all about signing players or finding the next Duff, Dunn, etc? What is your view on the youth at the club, and when do you think it would be a good time to play them?

[chris_h]

Im going to put my neck on the block here, but O Sullivan and Tomlinson should have been given more of a chance, especially off the bench.

Other players who should get a look in is Lavelle, Rittenberg and maybe Mansell.

Chris question for you, are you all about signing players or finding the next Duff, Dunn, etc? What is your view on the youth at the club, and when do you think it would be a good time to play them?

When they are good enough.

Why do you say O'Sullivan and Tomlinson and the other players should be in the team? You haven't seen them on tv.

[Iceman]

When they are good enough.

Why do you say O'Sullivan and Tomlinson and the other players should be in the team? You haven't seen them on tv.

Here we go again about tv.

Chris in the last 5 years, how many of our acdemy and under 21's have made the step up to the 1st team? In fact over the last 8 to 10 years, we have had alot of promising youngsters. Some of them were loaned out, done well, came back and then loaned out again and eventually sold.

So how do we judge them as being good enough, when they are hardly given a consistent run in the team, if any chance at all?

[chris_h]

Here we go again about tv.

Chris in the last 5 years, how many of our acdemy and under 21's have made the step up to the 1st team? In fact over the last 8 to 10 years, we have had alot of promising youngsters. Some of them were loaned out, done well, came back and then loaned out again and eventually sold.

So how do we judge them as being good enough, when they are hardly given a consistent run in the team, if any chance at all?

TV isn't an issue. You haven't seen the players you put forward at all have you? Bowyer and his staff have, on a daily basis.

If you are going to bandy names of players around which you have little or no idea about as a stick to beat the manager with then it is fair enough that you get pulled up for it.

[Iceman]

TV isn't an issue. You haven't seen the players you put forward at all have you? Bowyer and his staff have, on a daily basis.

If you are going to bandy names of players around which you have little or no idea about as a stick to beat the manager with then it is fair enough that you get pulled up for it.

Let me ask you again. How many academy or under 21 players have come through in the last 5 to 10 years.

Let me also ask you this. Is Chris Brown, Luke Varney any better than any of the younger local lads? Why do we sign so many rubbish players, who contribute very little, when we can give a local talented lad an opportunity to prove his worth.

We have spent a crap load of money on overseas dross, is that the type of players you are happy to see in blue and white? Or would you give a young lad a chance? Im big on giving youth a chance, because you can only judge them, if you give them a chance at the highest level even if its 10 or 15 mins off the bench.

Who has Bowyer given a proper chance on in the last 3 years he has been in charge? Are you telling me, that non of the under 21's are good enough? At their age, do we wait until they 24 or 25 before we see if they good enough?

Our local team Ajax Cape Town, they beat our top local team in Chiefs in the cup final with 18 and 19 year old kids. In fact, some of those kids are better than some of the Rovers 1st team players.

[chaddyrovers]

Im going to put my neck on the block here, but O Sullivan and Tomlinson should have been given more of a chance, especially off the bench.

Other players who should get a look in is Lavelle, Rittenberg and maybe Mansell.

Chris question for you, are you all about signing players or finding the next Duff, Dunn, etc? What is your view on the youth at the club, and when do you think it would be a good time to play them?

Mansell isnt ready for the 1st team yet as ParsonBlue said last season.

O'Sullivan was on the bench yesterday.

Rittenberg gone backwards I believe.

Is Lavelle ready for the 1st team and is he better than Duffy, Hanley, Kilgallon, Lenihan?

And are the youth going to be able to cope with the demands of Championship football?

I would like to see Mahoney go on loan to a league 1/2 club for 3 months and play regular.

How much of the Youth team have you see in the last 2 years?

[chris_h]

Let me ask you again. How many academy or under 21 players have come through in the last 5 to 10 years.

Let me also ask you this. Is Chris Brown, Luke Varney any better than any of the younger local lads? Why do we sign so many rubbish players, who contribute very little, when we can give a local talented lad an opportunity to prove his worth.

We have spent a crap load of money on overseas dross, is that the type of players you are happy to see in blue and white? Or would you give a young lad a chance? Im big on giving youth a chance, because you can only judge them, if you give them a chance at the highest level even if its 10 or 15 mins off the bench.

Who has Bowyer given a proper chance on in the last 3 years he has been in charge? Are you telling me, that non of the under 21's are good enough? At their age, do we wait until they 24 or 25 before we see if they good enough?

Our local team Ajax Cape Town, they beat our top local team in Chiefs in the cup final with 18 and 19 year old kids. In fact, some of those kids are better than some of the Rovers 1st team players.

White noise Iceman.

[roverzee]

Im going to put my neck on the block here, but O Sullivan and Tomlinson should have been given more of a chance, especially off the bench.

Other players who should get a look in is Lavelle, Rittenberg and maybe Mansell.

How you can make those statements with such authority from 10,000 miles away is ridiculous really.

How do you know those 5 are all ready to make the leap from U21 level to the second level of the English game?

[donnermeat]

Mansell isnt ready for the 1st team yet as ParsonBlue said last season.

O'Sullivan was on the bench yesterday.

Rittenberg gone backwards I believe.

Is Lavelle ready for the 1st team and is he better than Duffy, Hanley, Kilgallon, Lenihan?

And are the youth going to be able to cope with the demands of Championship football?

I would like to see Mahoney go on loan to a league 1/2 club for 3 months and play regular.

How much of the Youth team have you see in the last 2 years?

You've proposed to use Mansell and Mahoney in and around the first team a number of times in the past, and been saying use Nyambe all summer. Are they ready for the demands of Championship football? I personally don't think they are but it seems like you're trying to be a bit cute with that response Chaddy. Not having a go but come on.

[chaddyrovers]

Let me also ask you this. Is Chris Brown, Luke Varney any better than any of the younger local lads? Why do we sign so many rubbish players, who contribute very little, when we can give a local talented lad an opportunity to prove his worth.

Who has Bowyer given a proper chance on in the last 3 years he has been in charge?

Who is this youth striker you would like us to have played instead of Varney or Brown considering we signed these over 12 months ago? I'm not saying Brown or Varney were good signings btw.

He has given Raya, Lenihan(cos of injuries), O'Sullivan(a couple of games).

Maybe this is why Bowyer remove Phil Cannon as Academy chief and appointed Kinder as head of Rovers academy plus change the coaching staff. Cos he wanted us to start bringing through some quality academy players into the 1st team.

[chaddyrovers]

You've proposed to use Mansell and Mahoney in and around the first team a number of times in the past, and been saying use Nyambe all summer. Are they ready for the demands of Championship football? I personally don't think they are but it seems like you're trying to be a bit cute with that response Chaddy. Not having a go but come on.

Yes I have.

Nyambe has a back up right back. But not as a regular in the 1st team at this stage.

I think Mahoney needs regular football to improve his game. Thats why I suggest a loan to a league 1/2 club like Oldham.

Mansell did well last season/this season for the under 18/21 level but I dont think he is ready physical demands of Championship.

[Iceman]

How you can make those statements with such authority from 10,000 miles away is ridiculous really.

How do you know those 5 are all ready to make the leap from U21 level to the second level of the English game?

You give them a proper chance in the 1st team? Or how would you know if they ready? You see its rubbish like this, and then we moan when we sign players like Brown, Varney, Petshi and all those Portuguese lads.

You've proposed to use Mansell and Mahoney in and around the first team a number of times in the past, and been saying use Nyambe all summer. Are they ready for the demands of Championship football? I personally don't think they are but it seems like you're trying to be a bit cute with that response Chaddy. Not having a go but come on.

I keep on repeating myself, but if you dont give them a chance, how do you know, that they are not ready? Everybody saying they not ready, but they have never played or given a chance.

White noise Iceman.

Okay

[Mercer]

An excellent start for the Academy. Looks like the changes that Eric made in the summer are starting to pay off - not bad for what some would have us believe is a "dumbed down Academy"

Yes, results help with confidence and development, however, are only part of the story.

Proof of the pudding is in the eating. For example, where are any of that lot who got us to the FA Youth Cup Final in 2012 ? Disappeared without trace in 3 short years ?

The key performance indicator is how many in the Academy graduate to regular 1st team action.

Since Bowyer joined our youth set-up some 10 or 11 years ago, I think only one 'star' has emerged - Phil Jones.

Similarly, if you look at the present Rovers' side, how many regulars are 'home grown' ? There is only Hanley. This is probably a key season for Henley but you couldn't say he's nailed down a spot. Then there is Lowe, enough said.

Looking further afield, I can't think of any other Rovers' Academy graduates plying their trade in the PL and there is only a handful in the Championship and I guess many posters on here would struggle to name them !

I think our Academy set-up has been devoid of inspiration for an awful long time and, IMV, Bowyer has been very much part of that problem and his recruitment of 'pals' like Eric and an anonymous goalkeeping coach from Carlisle are hardly likely to act as catalysts in the turnaround of our stagnating Academy.

I have always thought that Bowyer's contribution to youth development at Rovers was grossly overhyped and, IMV, the hard facts confirm it.

[Parsonblue]

Im going to put my neck on the block here, but O Sullivan and Tomlinson should have been given more of a chance, especially off the bench.

Other players who should get a look in is Lavelle, Rittenberg and maybe Mansell.

Chris question for you, are you all about signing players or finding the next Duff, Dunn, etc? What is your view on the youth at the club, and when do you think it would be a good time to play them?

You clearly haven't seen Rittenberg or wouldn't be advocating for the first team. Mansell is only just starting out at Under-18 level and has struggled when pushed to Under-21's. He has potential but needs a season playing Under-18 football under his belt. Pushing him too quickly could destroy him. Lavelle is certainly not ready for the first team. Tomlinson is only finding his way at Under-21 level and has had good games and indifferent ones thus far. The development of these players needs to be done carefully as in the past we have had players with potential who haven't made the grade. Every promising Under-16/Under-18 player doesn't always make it for a variety of reasons.

[Iceman]

In your opinion Parson, do you see any of these players making the 1st team? In the past, there were alot better players in the youth set up, under the guidance of Bowyer. We have not had any young player break through, well Henley apart, whose actually done much or consistently played in the 1st team for more than 5 years now. You cant say we have an under 21 squad, then say well we need to wait until they are 24 or 25 to play a game here and there. How do you know when these players are ready for 1st team football, when you are too afraid to give 1 or 2 a few mins off the bench. Again my question is this, if Chris Brown hasnt contributed anything, what difference would a chance for a young guy from the u/21 squad have made compared to him. We brought in youngsters from Portugal, who did nothing. You will be surprised how comfortable a youngster can fit into a 1st team after a few mins here and there, but on a consistent basis. Not the same i know, but when i was 15 i played in our senior team with guys 5 or 6 years my senior, and it made me much tougher. We sometimes are too afraid when it comes to giving youth a chance, because we some how think it will hamper their development.