It's great isn't it. A friend of ours does local scouting for Man City and travels to different games quite a lot. He was at the U18 game against Fulham recently I sat on the steps next to him for a chat and his first action was to put his hand over his notes . I am sure that night he was running the rule over a few of the Fulham kids, especially 7, 8, 9 & 11. It's something I would love to do, along with a scout, to see how much I can spot that they do - fascinating
I have a lot of respect for you doing the scouting role mate. I tried it in the past briefly and it was bloody hard work. Takes a hell of a lot of time as well. Need a hell of an eye for detail these days too. I was given a profile by a club of the type of holding midfielder they wanted and was asked to go and watch some u18 games. Part of the profile was height and I realised at one game there was really only 1 player to watch. Another lad would have been 3 or 4 inches smaller but I thought he had loads going for him so submitted him as an option instead but was told no immediately. I didnt bother much more after that. I know a couple of senior club scouts in the midlands and if I see a lad in grassroots I think has been missed, say age 12 upwards, I let them know and they always come and watch him. A few have gone into academy structures off the back of it. I still think there is a place in scouting for just spotting a natural ability and letting coaches build around that. I am running u18s football currently in a decent level non league club. I am judged on pushing players into reserves and first team. I have watched players develop through grassroots over the last 10 years, into this age group, but have really missed academies because they developed later. I went out and signed 3 lads at the start of the season who were 16 and to me can play. 2 of them already in our first team squad and 1 in particular is flying and attracting interest from higher level non league. If you were to look at his physical attributes lots of clubs would shy away but his technical ability is top level so he doesnt need to be 6 foot and strong. He will play league football in 2 years. Bit of a ramble I know but scouting is a hell of a job and you deserve loads of credit. If you are ever around the midlands let me know and we can go and watch academy games together. Be interesting to hear how you build up a judgement on a player.
Appreciate the post mate. Yeah it takes up a lot of time, especially when it isn't a full time job. Luckily the club I'm scouting for don't set stuff like that, they just have to be under a certain value and have EU passports. I used to coach at a highly rated youth team in Edinburgh (Hutchison Vale) and its tough going so hats off to you. I loved coaching but found it harder to commit as my shifts change every week. The worst part about youth coaching............the parents!
I am crystal clear with parents whose kids come to me from day one. They can talk to me anytime but dont tell me what I should be doing. Dont shout any instructions from the touchline because it will almost certainly be different to mine. I tell them clearly if you dont like it do your badges and stand on my side of the pitch, else go elsewhere. I dont really get any grief as a result. I do know coaches who get given the run around though and they make it too hard for themselves by trying to listen to parents advice.
I can totally understand that. When I'm watching the grandson I've got an idea of how I would like to see him play. For instance, last weekend he was playing centre half in a team of 5, the opposition didn't really get past the half way line at times and he was standing there freezing and I was thinking he could be involved better if he was taking free kicks instead of the midfielder, push up for corners but most of the time he was just standing watching and the coach didn't recognize this but he was in charge so I kept quiet
To be honest mate that wouldnt happen with me. 5v5 so he must be 7 or 8? I wouldnt even put them in a formation at that age. I would simply let them all play attack and defence. Kids that age chase the ball anyway, and that should be encouraged not discouraged in my opinion. Imagine telling a 7 year old to run away from the ball, utterly daft. Coaching really is about letting the kids make mistake after mistake so they learn. Preventing them them make mistakes stops them learning. I know why you would want to say something mate. I am not perfect by any means myself and make loads of mistakes. I am just a stubborn sod.
Some of the time at that age the coach may be just watching to see if the kids are just enjoying themselves. Some parents will push their kids into it and they dont really want to play football at all, it's the parents living out their missed opportunity almost. Best thing to do at that age in encourage them. My son is at u11 and 9 a side atm and not many lads who were at his team at 6/7 years old are still there now. Seen loads of them upset and want to be subbed off because of what is being shouted from the sidelines and its awful.
Would have loved Branthwaite from Everton but seen he is at psv now, think he could have been a Batth replacement down the line but would imagine he’ll be in Everton’s plans next season even if they stay up now
That's what happens in his football matches but the coach wants to try them to get into formations even though there has been discussions in a group after a match that there's no way it'll happen with kids that age but the grandson loves playing and that's the main thing
Bit surprised clubs are still demanding big blokes who can run all day, kick it eighty yards and tackle a horse. We'd only have half a team!
I actually sent the club a scouting report on him at the end of last season. I really like him, he struggled at psv to begin with but has been really good recently
I like josh coburn young lad at boro think he was in our academy too, similar build to Stewart and has a decent goal return for his age
Yunus Musah, 20 years old, U17 England international. Big lad -- won't break and no language barrier.
Was watching some youth football from Germany earlier - Stuttgart's U19s and they have a few impressive players 3 stand outs that we should be keeping a close eye on Dennis Seimen - GK - Unreal potential and I wouldn't be surprised if he's Germany's no1 at some point Max Wagner - LM/CF - Good movement and is a good finisher Samuele Di Benedetto - CDM/CM - smaller CM but reads play very well and he always looks to pass forward Stuttgart have a very good U19 team
Allan Wlk, Paraguayan striker plays for Olimpia - scored a couple of goals in the recent sub20 in South America and was player of the tournament when Paraguay won the South American Games football tournament last year. He has an insane youth scoring record, big lad. I used to live in Asuncion, have many Olimpia fans as friends, and they are really excited about this kid.
Thats the Steve Clarke mentallity.. The Ex Chelsea coach, WBA manager and Scotland boss. Give him an athlete, any athlete and he will make them into a footballer.. Skill doesn't matter with him.
