Tom Davies

[Paulie]

"What did the gaffer say to you?"

"He said when you get the ball...pass it sideways then look for the ball again but this time pass it back and so on until it indirectly causes us to concede, enjoy"

 

[hetion]

Been watching his development closely for a while now and he has come along leaps and bounds in the last 12 months.

I always wondered who would make the first and biggest impression from that age group. While Ledson/Dowell did well it has to go to Davies.

The biggest thing for young players is the belief that they belong there. Connolly lacked that yesterday whereas Davies had it in abundance. He always wanted the ball and wanted to make an impression.

He is probably the most rounded central midfield we have (compared to Ledson, Walsh and Williams) and can really do a bit of every role. It says a lot about him yesterday he took over Gibsons role which is central for Martinez) and it wasn't Barkley or Besic put back into it. A huge vote of confidence.

The biggest compliment I can pay him, is he looks like he can play as a box to box midfielders, attacking or defensive midfielder. A great cameo yesterday and would happily see him playing some more.

Any idea where he might end up/what his strengths are? He looks like a bit of an all-rounder.

 

[Carlito]

Tidy on the ball, short socks and an Alice band. It's a big thumbs up from me.

Bonus points for the Manuel Fernandes-esque tackle, body swerve and sneaky pass to clear the danger.

 

[catcherintherye]

Any idea where he might end up/what his strengths are? He looks like a bit of an all-rounder.

I think a lot depends on the current management situation. Martinez for all his faults is generally favourable to young players and quite likes him. If we get a Mourinho/Pelligrini type manager that may have an impact negatively, but he may flourish with a De Boer in charge.

His strengths? I think his biggest standout attribute when I've seen him is how well rounded he is. He can beat a man, he can pick a pass, tackle, get around the pitch, score a goal and also take the ball in tight positions. He needs to keep filling out, as whole he looks physically imposing at under 21 he still looks lightweight in the first team.

It will be really interested to see how he gets on with Walsh and Ledson due back. If Martinez stays this summer it will be very interesting to see how we manage those 3, each with different strengths.

The biggest plus he had yesterday though, was he looked like he believed he belonged there. Compared to Galloway, Browning, Connolly and even Stones (to start with) all of them looked a little hesitant and played within themselves he went out onto the pitch and flourished. That really makes a huge difference for me. You see the under 21's and in honesty most could do a decent job in our team, but most will also shrink under the pressure. It looks like Davies rose to the occasion.

Whisper it, but I think he could be the number 8 we all want Barkley to be. A physically imposing lad, who can control the tempo.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

I think a lot depends on the current management situation. Martinez for all his faults is generally favourable to young players and quite likes him. If we get a Mourinho/Pelligrini type manager that may have an impact negatively, but he may flourish with a De Boer in charge.

His strengths? I think his biggest standout attribute when I've seen him is how well rounded he is. He can beat a man, he can pick a pass, tackle, get around the pitch, score a goal and also take the ball in tight positions. He needs to keep filling out, as whole he looks physically imposing at under 21 he still looks lightweight in the first team.

It will be really interested to see how he gets on with Walsh and Ledson due back. If Martinez stays this summer it will be very interesting to see how we manage those 3, each with different strengths.

The biggest plus he had yesterday though, was he looked like he believed he belonged there. Compared to Galloway, Browning, Connolly and even Stones (to start with) all of them looked a little hesitant and played with themselves he went out onto the pitch and flourished. That really makes a huge difference for me. You see the under 21's and in honesty most could do a decent job in our team, but most will also shrink under the pressure. It looks like Davies rose to the occasion.

Whisper it, but I think he could be the number 8 we all want Barkley to be. A physically imposing lad, who can control the tempo.

lollollol

 

[catcherintherye]

lollollol

Should be within, seems like it was an auto-correct!!

 

[Kever10]

"What did the gaffer say to you?"

"He said when you get the ball...pass it sideways then look for the ball again but this time pass it back and so on until it indirectly causes us to concede, enjoy"

Because every mistake is Martinez fault and not the individuals.

Did you not see the interview were Davies said what Martinez told him?
"Ignore all those bellends out there, don't let the booing bother you, and just enjoy yourself"

 

[mightymoyes]

I think a lot depends on the current management situation. Martinez for all his faults is generally favourable to young players and quite likes him. If we get a Mourinho/Pelligrini type manager that may have an impact negatively, but he may flourish with a De Boer in charge.

His strengths? I think his biggest standout attribute when I've seen him is how well rounded he is. He can beat a man, he can pick a pass, tackle, get around the pitch, score a goal and also take the ball in tight positions. He needs to keep filling out, as whole he looks physically imposing at under 21 he still looks lightweight in the first team.

It will be really interested to see how he gets on with Walsh and Ledson due back. If Martinez stays this summer it will be very interesting to see how we manage those 3, each with different strengths.

The biggest plus he had yesterday though, was he looked like he believed he belonged there. Compared to Galloway, Browning, Connolly and even Stones (to start with) all of them looked a little hesitant and played within themselves he went out onto the pitch and flourished. That really makes a huge difference for me. You see the under 21's and in honesty most could do a decent job in our team, but most will also shrink under the pressure. It looks like Davies rose to the occasion.

Whisper it, but I think he could be the number 8 we all want Barkley to be. A physically imposing lad, who can control the tempo.

him and walsh as the number 4 could make a hell of a midfield duo in next few years if they both keep up their current progress.

 

[Mogwai]

He is going to be some player....excited about his future.

 

[kithnou]

Whisper it, but I think he could be the number 8 we all want Barkley to be. A physically imposing lad, who can control the tempo.

It would be great for us fans as well to see a young gun progressing and impacting the first team

 

[Raino85]

I think a lot depends on the current management situation. Martinez for all his faults is generally favourable to young players and quite likes him. If we get a Mourinho/Pelligrini type manager that may have an impact negatively, but he may flourish with a De Boer in charge.

His strengths? I think his biggest standout attribute when I've seen him is how well rounded he is. He can beat a man, he can pick a pass, tackle, get around the pitch, score a goal and also take the ball in tight positions. He needs to keep filling out, as whole he looks physically imposing at under 21 he still looks lightweight in the first team.

It will be really interested to see how he gets on with Walsh and Ledson due back. If Martinez stays this summer it will be very interesting to see how we manage those 3, each with different strengths.

The biggest plus he had yesterday though, was he looked like he believed he belonged there. Compared to Galloway, Browning, Connolly and even Stones (to start with) all of them looked a little hesitant and played within themselves he went out onto the pitch and flourished. That really makes a huge difference for me. You see the under 21's and in honesty most could do a decent job in our team, but most will also shrink under the pressure. It looks like Davies rose to the occasion.

Whisper it, but I think he could be the number 8 we all want Barkley to be. A physically imposing lad, who can control the tempo.

This is a myth!!!!!
Any manager on the earth would of given the likes of Barkley, Lukaku & Stones game time!
Garbutt & Browning should of been used more than they have
Apart from a dead rubber in europe he will always pick elder players over young players every time
Oviedo over Galloway even though he came in to the team and did well and Oviedo is injury prone and not very good
Barry over Besic all last season when Barry was stinking the gaff out on a regular occurance
Who can forget the Hibbert over Garbutt situation against West Ham last year
How someone like Kieran Dowell has not even got a spot on the bench with the recent comments about Naisse not being fit, Kone being turd and Miralllas being out of form is mad.
Saturday he could of rested Coleman and played Connolly from the start, but he didnt want to as he didnt trust his younger player, as a result Coleman pulls up and will miss the derby and the semi.
Osman, Gibson, Pienaar will all be leaving the club in the summer and got in the match day squad ahead of the likes of Dowell, Williams, Holgate, Duffus etc

 

[blueblue]

This is a myth!!!!!
Any manager on the earth would of given the likes of Barkley, Lukaku & Stones game time!
Garbutt & Browning should of been used more than they have
Apart from a dead rubber in europe he will always pick elder players over young players every time
Oviedo over Galloway even though he came in to the team and did well and Oviedo is injury prone and not very good
Barry over Besic all last season when Barry was stinking the gaff out on a regular occurance
Who can forget the Hibbert over Garbutt situation against West Ham last year
How someone like Kieran Dowell has not even got a spot on the bench with the recent comments about Naisse not being fit, Kone being turd and Miralllas being out of form is mad.
Saturday he could of rested Coleman and played Connolly from the start, but he didnt want to as he didnt trust his younger player, as a result Coleman pulls up and will miss the derby and the semi.
Osman, Gibson, Pienaar will all be leaving the club in the summer and got in the match day squad ahead of the likes of Dowell, Williams, Holgate, Duffus etc

It is not a myth and RM has certainly helped promote youth in the club.

The premiership is an unforgiving place and only a tiny fraction of lads at any academy ever become premiership footballers.
Realistically if we bring one through per year we are doing fantastically well.
The gulf between academy football and the premiership is so wide it is difficult to imagine.
Nobody in their right mind will keep putting youngsters into premiership football until they are ready.
Ready , is so much more than physically being able to hold your own against men. It has to do with positioning, responsibility , awareness and mental toughness.
I don't know if RM will stay on as manager next season, but what cannot be denied is that during his tenure the standard of academy players has risen enormously and certainly a number of them appear to have a chance of making a career for themselves... in time.

 

[Raino85]

It is not a myth and RM has certainly helped promote youth in the club.

The premiership is an unforgiving place and only a tiny fraction of lads at any academy ever become premiership footballers.
Realistically if we bring one through per year we are doing fantastically well.
The gulf between academy football and the premiership is so wide it is difficult to imagine.
Nobody in their right mind will keep putting youngsters into premiership football until they are ready.
Ready , is so much more than physically being able to hold your own against men. It has to do with positioning, responsibility , awareness and mental toughness.
I don't know if RM will stay on as manager next season, but what cannot be denied is that during his tenure the standard of academy players has risen enormously and certainly a number of them appear to have a chance of making a career for themselves... in time.

And that is why Bilic put faith in 16 year old Reece Oxford against Arsenal 1st day of the season
Connor Randel, Jordan Ibe, Kevin Stewart, Cammeron Brannagan have all proved to be able to cut it when Klopp has trusted them.
Pochetino uses the kids as his squad players at saints and now at spurs and the ones that are good enough break through into the first team.
Rashford, Borthwick Jackson & the other fullback at Utd have all shown that they are fearless and are atleast worth persisting with.
The same can be said with Bellerin and Iwobi at Arsenal
All these are big premier league clubs and the managers have put there faith in the kids and it has paid off

 

[neil999]

why not start him in a 3 with mcarthy and barry in the derby? lets rest barkley for fa cup

 

[mightymoyes]

It is not a myth and RM has certainly helped promote youth in the club.

The premiership is an unforgiving place and only a tiny fraction of lads at any academy ever become premiership footballers.
Realistically if we bring one through per year we are doing fantastically well.
The gulf between academy football and the premiership is so wide it is difficult to imagine.
Nobody in their right mind will keep putting youngsters into premiership football until they are ready.
Ready , is so much more than physically being able to hold your own against men. It has to do with positioning, responsibility , awareness and mental toughness.
I don't know if RM will stay on as manager next season, but what cannot be denied is that during his tenure the standard of academy players has risen enormously and certainly a number of them appear to have a chance of making a career for themselves... in time.

it is a myth, name one player apart from mcmanaman that martinez has brought through from a clubs youth set up in near 10 years as a manager.