Thinking about it, that era of youth was probably one of the best collectives we've had for a while, give or take a year either side all would've likely played in the same youth/ reserve team at some point and known one another well: Kane - gone on to be a superstar, club legend and is currently our second highest goal scorer of all time. Mason - first teamer and international, would've had a decent career in the Prem if not for the head injury, now back at the club coaching and even temporarily managed us. Townsend - first teamer and international, has had a decent career in the Prem and going well so far at Everton. Caulker - had an impressive debut season but was too haste in chasing guaranteed first team football elsewhere, someone who should've had a good career but bad choices and some off-field issues have cost him, switched allegiance to Sierra Leone and is at the ACoN. Bentaleb - first teamer and international for Algeria, attitude has cost him what could've been a good career as well as seemingly his spot at ACoN this time around. Berchiche - had a pretty decent career, primarily in La Liga, though did spend a year at PSG where he won the league and cup and is now at Bilbao. Obika - made first team appearances and made a career in lower leagues/ Scotland. Mpoku - made a career for himself in Europe. Cox - made a career in the lower leagues/ conference but is also a youth coach at the club. Smith - will probably go down a Bournemouth legend, into his 7th or 8th year there and is close to playing 300 games for them. Luongo - made a career in the Championship, international for the Aussies. Byrne - made a career in the lower leagues, been in the PFA TOTY twice in League One. Pritchard - made a career in the lower leagues, had a spell in the Prem too, injuries probably prevented him from having a sustained career in the Prem. Bostock - made a career in lesser European leagues, currently at Doncaster. Parrett - made a career in the lower leagues but think he may retired since being released in Jan 2021. Butcher - made a career in the lower leagues and Scotland. Jansson - made a career in his native Sweden, playing over 200 games for Orebro primarily in the top tier. Left Orebro for Norrkoping after they got relegated and is first choice for them now. Might be a few others I've missed but good to see that many during that era have at least carved out some form of solid professional career for themselves.
Roma were 3-1 up against Juve in the 70th minute, only to lose with their manager blaming a psychological collapse Why does that sound familiar...?
The U23 class of 2012-3. I thought then at least Pritchard would make it to be a long-serving senior squad member like Mason/ Townsend/Kane, and maybe one or two others. Just goes to show how fine the lines of the combo of ability + attitude + chance are for all hopefuls.
Yeah Pritchard as well as Caulker were two players I had real high hopes for. If Caulker made a few smarter choices I think he could’ve gone on to be a fantastic CB for Spurs and England. Good luck to him at the ACoN though now, albeit I can’t see Sierra Leone getting too far if I’m being honest.
"When we allowed them back in for 3-2, a team with a strong mentality like Juventus, the fear set in. A psychological complex. 3-2 is not a problem for me but it is for my players... When you’re in the s**t, you get back on your feet. But some players in the locker room are a bit too nice." Yeah, you've used that one, mate. Get some new material.
Pritchard's supposed to be doing well at Sunderland now and looking at least a level above. Hopefully he can get past his injuries and leave a real mark.
Surprised to see no one has mentioned Defoe has left Glasgow Rangers. Hardly a surprise given his lack of playing time this season. If he intends to continue playing, and it sounds as if he does, then he’ll surely get plenty of offers.
Imho, he is the most important manager since Burkinshaw. He was the one who brought back consistently good foot all, reconnected the fans with the players, gave the club belief that it could get into the CL and got us into European football 2 seasons running for the first time since the Hysel disaster in 1985.
Was at his last game v Getaffe with my girls (they were 10 and 5 yrs old). Am very proud of the support that we as a crowd gave to him that night. My 10 Yr old cried when it was confirmed he was sacked. I still think it is a stain on our club's history that we treated him so badly from that summer til we sacked him in October. Legend is thrown around too easily but he is one.
Yeah remember it well. “Stand up, for Martin Jol!”. Was a shambolic move by the club, understandably things were on a downturn but doing it the way we did made us (Levy/ board) look like pure scum.
