As everyone knows we now have Cat 1 status and now play the elite clubs at U23, U18 and kids levels so a massive bonus for the club and the exceptional work done by Radz and Orta with recruitment and then Carlos Corberan from 2017 and much boosted and directed by Bielsa from 2018. You may have noticed a lot of stories around potential signings from UK and World clubs as we try and bring in even more quality to enhance what we already have. To do this though will mean some established names may need moving on. Will Huffer for example is no longer mentioned on the clubs web site? Goalkeepers need looking at as Miazek out of contract, is it being renewed? Meslier is now first team either starter or understudy to a new first team keeper. If Meslier gets the nod I believe Miazek will be given a new deal, but the Aussie Cooper Skerry is on the scene and pushing plus Ellia Caprille so maybe not. Another problem area seems to be striker as Edmondson seems to be not to Bielsas liking? and after a nightmare loan in Spain Rapha Mujica was sent to another side in January and has smashed it so Bielsa will need to look at him this month too. We then have the problem of replacing Corberan with another Bielsa type coach for the U23s unless the U18s coach is promoted?.... Listed are players of both U23 and U18 and many of this seasons U23s are actually U18s from last season. Some will be released/sold in the next few weeks though. Bold font used on potential stars. Good luck to all who leave Miazek GK Caprille GK Skerry GK Turner GK Cresswell Casey Struijk Stanley Shergill Hosannah kamwa Jenkins Gotts McCalmont - Worried about Alfie as Bielsa said he spent 19 hours watching videos of him during lock-down and he wasn't once on he bench in the run in? Hudson Kun Huggins Edmondson Mujica McCarron McKinstrey Stevens Bogusz Worried about this lad even though he played off the bench the other night, he seems to have gone backwards this season? Lyons Howell-Jones Pilkington Thornton Moore Jones Rubie Hughes Fewster Bray Kenneh Galloway Kumwanda McMillan Spencer Amissah
I could see a few of our brightest spending a year with Carlos at the Botherers Doc -Casey, McCalmont, Bogusz maybe?
Think a couple had some injury issues this season and think maybe Bogusz was one of them. He played against Charlton but looked a shadow of himself so maybe he goes? Stevens has been given a lot of care since his ban and put in a couple if really good U23 performances but he also was a shadow the other night. Edmondson got himself into Bielsa shape in mind and body and then needed an operation so will he make it? Mujica since January been outstanding I fear he may be gone along with Grot whos had a mare
I can't help thinking that Bielsa is not the kind of Manager to give youth a chance. Meslier would not have got a look in if Casilla had not been suspended. Look at what Shacklton and Poveda have done in the last couple of games. Easily good enough to rotate the team. I fear for our youth not being given the opportunity
how many clubs do you know that can have 6 Academy players on the pitch at one time? How many clubs do you know that have at least 6 academy players as part of the first team squad and train with the first team? i think Bielsa watches and if he thinks they’re good enough he puts them in. With kids many go backwards and need nurturing. McCalmont, Gotts, Davies, Bogusz, Stevens all been given a chance but spurned it..... for now
Chapecoense McCalmont, Gotts, Davies, Bogusz and Stevens not given enough opportunity. Meslier only played due to suspension. We would not have known how good he was. He's only playing the youngsters in the last two games. Many of them should have have 30 mins here and there.
The thing is elland that he works with a small set of senior players and relies on the youth squad to fill the gaps as and when needed. Therefore the youngsters will always get a chance through suspensions and injuries in Bielsa's squads. They just have to perform in training and take their chance when it comes along.
Oh Ell, you're so right. Bielsa should have played the u23s more, then we could smugly see them more experienced, ready for the next mid-table finish in the 20-21 Championship. Ok, a bit sarky, but why have you got this problem with Bielsa, Ell? All through the season you've had a dig at him on a variety of topics. Fortunately, he's not listened to you & we've won the Championship. More than that - he's rid us of 16 years of pain, developed & played youngsters,& given us a team that could - just could - survive in the PL without additions. That good. And that's before the inevitable comings & goings. I think he knows how to manage a squad, & if he chooses not to play our kids more, it's perhaps more of a reflection of our kids than him.
You’re right. As the saying goes, if you’re good enough you’re old enough. Likewise, if you’re not good enough you’re not in because you’re young (okay not as catchy but hopefully you see what I mean)
Pretty young squad in any case... White 22 Phillips 24 Roberts 21 Harrison 23 I thought Shackleton looked great when given the chance but drop Klich or Phillips? Yes give the u23s a chance but I’d question for who, like you point out, we won the league, record number of points, Bielsa got it spot on
Agreed, and yet we still have people moaning. At least the Eddie lovers have shut up. No doubt if we'd played him we'd have won the Champions League & the World Cup before lockdown.
Have we got the coaches that will be able to compete at this level. Is anyone likely to replace Carlos alongside Bielsa in the first team setup?
Looks like we are about to sign another kid from Brighton for the U23s. To be confirmed but looks like a goer, Haydon Roberts an 18 year old striker who has played for the England set up?
