mightymoyes
Player Valuation: £70m
i meant could it be this younger fella evans rather than either of those 2.
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i meant could it be this younger fella evans rather than either of those 2.
johnnydawg68
Chairperson, People's Front of Saint Domingo
Could you see Dowell developing into a withdrawn striker, with Walsh playing as more of a true attacking mid? From what has been written Dowell excels in the final third where Walsh is more box to box...of course how they would fit with Barkley in the side is a conundrum. Seems Ledson might be a defensive mid with sharp passing skills a la a young Gareth Barry. Am I way off base?
Lids1978
Banned
Not good to hear..this the kid signed from Bradford a few years ago ?
AdamEFC
Player Valuation: £35m
Yeah that's him.
Barkley won't be here by the time they're in the first XI. Ledson is more of a McCarthy type of player than a Barry from what I've seen, offers more attacking presence but is diligent on the ball. Dowell could play just off the striker quite easily I think.
catcherintherye
Player Valuation: £80m
When I first saw Walsh he did play in a more advanced role, but I think he suits playing deeper. He has a very good long and short passing range with both feet. He gets forward and scores, but I see him more as a deep lying player.
Dowell I think probably will be a withdrawn striker/number 10. I don't see him having the strength to play in Central midfield. He might play in wide areas, but lacks a bit of pace.
Ledson as stated above is more of a McCarthy type player. When I first saw him he reminded me of a young Rodwell. The closest comparison (in style) is someone like a Gerrard. He is box to box, tackles well, tall, athletic, good passer. A bit of an allrounder.
As for Barkley, if we can keep him I think he will probably have to be a number 8.
Just on the younger players, who do you think - if any - we will get rid of this season?
Personally wouldn't be surprised to see McAleny, Duffus, Junior & Lundstrum go at the very least. They're into their early 20's now and haven't really seriously flirted with the first team. Any others?
Personally wouldn't be surprised to see McAleny, Duffus, Junior & Lundstrum go at the very least. They're into their early 20's now and haven't really seriously flirted with the first team. Any others?
messymascot
Player Valuation: £35m
I think Junior and Lundstram will go. Think McAleny will stay as he is only 1 year into 3 year contract. Duffus is injured so I hope they give him a year so we can see what he's like when he gets fit. I think Green might go as he hasn't really progressed as might have been expected.
I agree with 3 of those
I think McAleny has more to offer, and might get loaned out as opposed to outright sold
I think he has potential. He's impetuous and isn't afraid to take on defenders. His Europa League game performance could have gone better in some ways. That being said, if Deulofeu had played the same game, he'd have been excused by his army of fan boys/girls. All the negatives would have been forgotten in favour of the positives. There were definate positives from McAleny in that match. I just think he needs to be refined into a better overall player and a loan spell could help with that. He's at a crucial point in his development and requires patience and assistance from the club and fan base if he's to reach his full potential
Duffus, Junior and Lundstrum are probably on their way in the near future
It's a shame about Junior, as I really did feel he was capable of turning into a good player for us. It just hasn't happened though and I think the dreaded David Moyes "attitude issues" may in fact be relevant in this case
Lundstram just had his confidence knocked by never really getting a chance I think. He didn't play well at Blackpool, but who really did this season? It was a mad house there. I saw him on a couple of occasions for us and he was okay.
toffeejack
Player Valuation: £100m
interesting about anichebe actually, does anyone think if martinez was manager he would have got given as much of a chance in the first team? personally don't think he would have had as much games anywhere. where it seems martinez likes to keep an eye on the talent aspect, moyes was more focused on the physicality aspects of players hence my question.
love this thread though and his ideas on youth are why i have such a soft spot for martinez. hence why i wasn't calling for his head this season, i see people's reasoning because they're looking more short term, but when i look long term i see a coach who is putting a lot of focus and thought into the whole youth system. the sad fact is that we can't compete with our rivals financially so we MUST have a great youth system and a manager willing to use it to it's maximum potential.
i would have found it a great shame if we got rid of martinez and got someone else in who pays a vague interest to the system but can only really work when given finances to buy 1st team players.
I feel similarly, in that I love what Martinez says about the academy, and think it's the best way forward.
I'm just hopeful he'll follow through with what he preaches. He has a bit of a habit of saying one thing and either doing another or changing his mind in rapid order. Browning not getting a real opportunity was a bit of surprise, as is the continued saga of Garbutt's contract (although it's tough to judge Martinez on that particular situation alone).
Galloway and Henen will be the next real test. The squad isn't exactly overflowing with CBs and wingers.
One of the 18 year olds rarely mentioned here is Harry Charsley, he appears to have done well at U18 level for us and I noticed he was an unused sub for Ireland u21 in the friendly with England u21 the other day. That's a nice pointer at his age. Any views from those who've seen him live?
Not sure I agree. Too many kids get over hyped these days and it can work against them. Kissock, Baxter and George Green are 3 names that spring to mind.
This thread has become my favourite on the forum. I love reading about how we seem to be producing kids who are going to be capable of contributing to the first team in years to come. From what I gather, there's plenty to be excited about with the group we've got in our youth teams without fans putting added pressure on any one individual to become the next Rooney etc. Leave the first team players to be responsible for getting the fan base excited!
kithnou
Player Valuation: £70m
I would love the excitement of another Jeffers, Rooney, Vaughn or Barkley coming through. Local lad that loves the club can only add to the excitement when they break into the first team.