http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/donovan-wilson-pro-contract-1565051.aspx Anyone know if he's any good?
Not me but Pirate49 goes to a lot of youth games and development games so I think he can give you some info
I see from the Post that five scholars that have been offered the opportunity to turn professional. It doesnt say who they all are though. Obviously Wilson must be one of them! Here is the rest of the U18's squad so 4 of these have been offered a pro deal: Aaron Bryan, Aaron Ward -Baptiste, Camen Harvey, Carlos Gonzalez, Chad Douglas, Dan Greenslade, Dominic Thomas, Harrison Trueman, Jamie Lucas, Jay Malpas, Kieran Preston, Laurent Davies Wilson, Louis Ezewele, Mitchel Palmer, Ryan Broom and Trey Anderson. My guess is Aaron Ward-Baptiste, Danny Greenslade, Dominic Thomas and Jamie Lucas! What is annoying though is the club should have come out and said 5 scholars have been offered deals to turn pro. That is news that we should know about from the club. We shouldnt have to read it as a passing comment at the bottom of an article about Smith in the Bristol Post! I have sent a tweet to Rovers asking who the other 4 players are.
I have received a reply back from the club with a link to who the other 4 scholars are who have been offered pro deals. The link from the club goes back to early last month in April! So I retract my statement moaning about the lack of info from the club about these players http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/youth-deals-1477475.aspx Quote - "Jamie Lucas and Aaron Ward-Baptiste had been offered deals for next season, and they will be joined by Dominic Thomas and Danny Greenslade."
Donovan Wilson is pacy and a very good finisher.Has real ability. I hope he keeps his head in the right place ! Domonic Thomas - composed central midfielder, rarely has a bad game. Dan Greenslade - best position in my view is Left back - has a sweet left foot and is best overlapping out wide as he has a very good shot on him, also good taking free kicks. Baptiste - bit surprised he got a deal - he's a forward - big unit -but is very hot and cold for me with his general play and finishing. Jamie Lucas - a real workhorse, good finisher with both feet needs to work on his heading ability . He will give 100 % every day. Mark Mark
Cheers for this Mark Do you think they will be around the 1st team much or out on loan? These 5 youths plus the youths like Santos, Lockyer and Clarke - 8 youths in total comes across pretty weak. Yes Lockyer and Clarke got plenty of games last season but they are still pretty young and inexperienced if that makes sense.
Hello CJS ! No problem. Donovan will be a second-year scholar next season so has time on his hand but perhaps towards the end of the season - would be good to give him mins on pitch if he continues to develop well. I hope Jamie Lucas gets to be on the bench more next season - see how he does in pre-season. Dan should be cover for Lee Brown or some other LB. Dom Thomas - could push for bench depends how many we have in midfield same for Aaron (but would have thought he will have a fair few CF in front of him in the pecking order. . Generally, thought Ollie and tom had fantastic seasons although Ollie's form really tailed off last 6/8 games. I would like to see tom Lockyer play right CB or RB and for Ollie to cement Central midfield - he should get a lot more goals next season - can finsh with both feet. All the BEst Mark
oh i wouldn't call Clarke - a youth . he must be 21 or 22 ! Same age group as Eliot Richards ! What did you think of Richards' departure ?
Great report. I dont know much about our youths not until they break into the 1st team. Im not sure but I think that in the conference we are only allowed 5 subs?? If so we may not have the luxery to have youths on the bench to get mins under their belt. We will hopefully have a strong bench.
Good point about 5 subs CJS ! You're right. guess some might go out on loan. Will there be development games next season (U21s)? This was run by M, stewart.
'Will there be development games next season (U21s)? This was run by M, stewart.' Very little mention of Stewart recently...could he be going????? MarkC........have sent you a PM.
Personally I'm worried for the future of our under 21's. If they are not good enough for the first team who are we going send them on loan too? Definitely not another conference side which leaves conference north or south or even lower. This will mean poorer quality of play and less improvement unless we keep them here for training then let them go and play for another team "on loan". Either way I believe this will have a detrimental effect on their development.
To quote Elton John "It's sad, so sad, it's a sad sad situation and it's getting more and more absurd"
Think I read that if we don't get back into the league straight away then the Academy will fold. Funding will keep us going this year...apparently.
