Not sure if anyone knew it (couldn't get on Not606 at the time to tell people) but our U21s were live on Soton's YouTube channel earlier in our 0-0 draw at St Mary's. I watched from 20 minutes onwards on my phone, was a decent game. The first half from what I saw was very end to end, played at a high tempo, the second half we dominated possession for large periods but neither team created many clear cut chances. Harry Winks had a 20 yard effort tipped over and Soton blazed over the bar in the final minute but apart from that, McGee and Gazzaniga were barely tested. Walker-Peters was our best player in my opinion, marauded down the right flank all game until he was moved to LB at 75 mins when Ogilvie was subbed off for McQueen. The commentators thought Onomah was our best player, he made some smart runs and nice passes but tried a few wayward shots which is why I'd have given it to Walker-Peters as he didn't put a foot wrong from what I saw. Winks and Ward had a decent performance in centre midfield too. Carter-Vickers partnered the superstar Khumalo at the back and the pair were rarely tested as most of Soton's attacks came from wide areas, though Carter-Vickers looked composed on the ball for a young CB.
Spurs or sex I watched the game too and totally agree with your summary. Kyle Walker Peters was our best player, he really looks a talent, reminded me of Nathinel Clyne from Southampton's first team, excellent going forward, quick and skilful. Onomah looks a real talent too, tall, athletic and carries the ball forward brilliantly. Carter Vickers looks a beast at the back and plays with a great maturity. Young Winks has great ability too, great vision and an eye for a pass. I was very disappointed with Coulthirst, it seems he hasnt progressed as many had hoped. Akindayini looks decent nothing more. I know we have Sonupe and Oduwa out on loan but it looks like we are lacking in the striking department. As for the game itself, southampton just edged the first half, we were the better side in the 2nd. Defences were on top with either keeper barely tested. I dont get the chance to see the kids live so was very interesting to watch the live stream tonight. We have some very exciting players coming through and a manager who is willing to give our youth a chance. The way it should be.
Yeah the reference to Clyne is spot on, played very similar to how he likes to get forward. Admittedly I didn't know much of Walker-Peters' capabilities too well in comparison to how I've followed Onomah and Winks over the past season and a half but the lad really impressed me, I know it's only one game but I remember Onomah giving a recent interview and agreeing with the interviewer about how well Walker-Peters has been playing so it seems he's been one of our more stand out players this term. Coulthirst reminded me a little of Soldado in some ways, if he wasn't the lone striker leading the line you could argue and say he didn't play that bad as his link up play and movement was decent, but fact is he was our striker and you expect your striker to be the main goal threat in the side, something which he wasn't. Akindayini seems to have gone a bit quiet, he had a strong start to the season with a good number of goals to games ratio if I remember rightly but in recent months I've noticed he's been spending more time on the bench. Carter-Vickers was one of the players I mentioned in earlier posts on this thread whom I think has a bright future, does look a real unit for someone of his age, just hope England can persuade him to switch allegiance! He and Azzaoui are likely to be first teamers in years to come if they progress with their development. I haven't seen much of the younger lads lately either, I used to go to the games where they played at the Lane or at Orient's ground but I've been slacking of late so was good to watch the match last night too. Exciting future for us in my opinion.
Great comments buddy, as i said i cant get to the youth games so i try and read as much information about our youngsters as possible and it great to see that we are producing such talent now and we have a coach who believes in them and gives them a chance. Home grown youngsters have an affinity with the club, they are the heartbeat and i would rather prefer we give these kids a chance than sign the likes of Capoue, Paulinho etc. Next season i really hope Pritchard,Carroll and Veljkovic break into the first team squad. Get rid of the prima donnas and spend whatever money we have on strikers (as we havent got any of required quality in the youth set up) Although they havent come through our set up im really looking forward to seeing Yedlin and Alli next season. Exciting stuff.
Yeah the way Paulinho and Capoue have been (amongst others), it's a damn shame we spent what we did on them. In some ways it's been a blessing in disguise though as now we know that spending big bucks isn't necessarily the best form of success (unless you have similar to £helsea or £ity's resources) and with the academy graduates becoming key players plus with more on the horizon, it brings a smile to a Spurs fans' face. I can see Pritchard coming into the squad next season, his form for Brentford has been great and I reckon he'll be a contender for theirs' and possibly the Championship's player of the season. Carroll hasn't played much for Swansea at the moment but then Mason didn't have the best of loan spells either so I won't rule out a return to the squad, he's always impressed me when he featured for us so I definitely feel there's a chance for him. Veljkovic suffered a bad injury for Charlton and is ruled out for the season I think, so not sure if Poch feels he'd be ready to come into the first team just yet. I was hoping we'd see Yedlin this season, Walker has been ok but still doesn't look as good as what he was in first full season with us, which is a shame as he looked like he'd become one of the best RB's in Europe, so I was hoping Yedlin could get a chance somewhere and showcase what he's all about. Alli looks the real deal for someone so young, unfortunately just suffered a 6 week ankle injury but his form for MK has been awesome and I think he'll definitely feature for the first team next season, which I'm excited about.
The U18s have become the latest side to inflict a defeat on their Arsenal counterparts, winning 4-1 at the Goons' Enfield ground. Shayon Harrison scored a hat-trick and Ryan Loft came off the bench to add a fourth. That's 10 losses in the league at that level for them now and they were eliminated from the FA Youth Cup by Crewe the other day. Things don't really seem to be working out for them in that area at the moment. Their U21s were relegated last season, though they do seem to be doing ok in this campaign. Wonder what happened to their supposedly top-notch youth system?
By the sounds of it the current crop of U18's at Spurs is the best we have had in decades. Then we have Edwards, and Sterling who are 16/17 and are meant to be highly promising.
A major factor behind Arsenal's recent decline at youth level, was the retirement of Liam Brady, who was their Head of Development.
Also because Arsenal's approach to youth development involves poaching kids from other teams, be it the likes of Walcott or Ramsey when they stepped up to the first team, or Wilshere or Gibbs who were still academy players.
The U21s picked up a good result against an Everton side that's close to both them and the top of the league. The 4-0 victory at the training ground saw goals from Coulthirst (x2), Ogilvie and Lameiras.
I saw the game and this result means 3 consecutive clean sheets on the bounce and 4 clean sheets out of the last 5. The main influence on this run of form is the performance of Khumalo. He is never going to make it at Spurs, but at this level, can be very effective. Backed up by some very clinical finishing, this was a decent performance.
Interesting. Might be a future for him in England when his contract expires, then? I'm sure that his performances will be taken note of by the scouts and coaches that attend these games.
Got my tickets for tomorrow. Should be a great atmosphere as 1882 are turning up in numbers so 90 minutes (minimum ) of singing.
Hi guys, just a little precaution/ warning for people attending tomorrow night's U21s match against Chelsea at the Lane, word is going about that Chelsea are taking about 150-200 fans (possibly even more) down to the Lane and I'm not talking about the friendly banter type. It's unconfirmed and hopefully it proves false but just thought I'd post this so anyone that is attending is on alert and to be careful.
Maybe a bout of hooliganism will mean the racist stories take a backseat for a bit. A step forward is still a step forward
Those were my thoughts too. I'm hoping it's a load of bollocks - especially as my younger Cousin is going - but thought I'd just pass on what I've heard and make sure whoever's going just keeps an eye out for any potential trouble that they can avoid.
