David Stockdale - already has 1st team experience Matthew Briggs - couple of games Alex Smith Dan Burn Christian Marquez-Sanchez - impressive under 18 right back Alex Kacaniklic - left mid from Liverpool Rob Milsom Courtney Harris Keanu Marsh Brown - on loan at MK Dons, England youth international Kerim Frei - qualith winger Lauri Dalla Valle - on loan at Bournemouth Marcello Trotta - goal machine in reserves Danny Hoeson - scores a lot of goals I would love to see some of these boys making it onto the bench to get some experience of match days and hopefully making some game time in the first team. What do you think ? Off to play some footie myself, rock hard ground, aging legs, hoping for an injury free game !!
Not sure about most of them, but I'd like to see Keanu Brown out there playing. Sounds like a real prospect for us. Good luck with the game ... I miss playing. Had to give it up last fall - arthritis in the knees. I can't even go and watch my old team play. Breaks my heart.
I see all but Courtney Harris, Rob Milsom and Alex Smith (Maybe Dalla Valle too) not making it. But I think the others have a very good chance. We do have a very good academy. One that is top of our league. Ahead of the likes of Southampton, Arsenal and Chelsea.
I think Stocky will come through next season and I think eventually will be very good. He may have a toughish season or two to start - hope we keep the faith. I'd also like to see a few of the others get a run out even if only 15 min+ slots
Our academy has been good for years, but because we never seem to give these youngsters a shot, no-one notices us. Wayne Brown for example, did fantastic in the under 18's and reserves, even won player of the year over in Finland when he was out on loan, yet we shipped him off quicker than you can say "Bristol". I would love to see some of these guys given a chance, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
At 5ft 5 Brown probably doesn't have the physique for the Premier League. I personally think Trotta should be given a good run next season. I think he is something quite special.
I can see Rob Milson doing well in Scotland, maybe even playing in cup semi-finals up there. Wait a minute - he did! We released him in January, and he has signed for Aberdeen. He's been a regular first teamer there and was part of the side that lost 4-0 to Celtic yesterday, after having a man sent off very early in the game. As far as I can tell, he's doing well there. We've lost him, though. I don't know what we should do about Schwarzer and Stockdale. I think MS is still the better keeper, but wouldn't like to see us lose Stockdale because he can't get into the team. I doubt that either of them are going to be happy to be number 2 next season, so there are tough decisions to be made by Mark Hughes. Reading between the lines of reports from the development squad, they seem to think Trotta is further behind Dalla Valle and Hoeson, with his target being to establish himself in the ds rather than break into the firsts. I saw Dalla Valle play for Bournemouth last weekend. To be honest, he was okay in a poor Bournemouth performance so it wasn't really conclusive. I'm seeing them again on Easter Monday so I'll report back on what he was like. He's made a big impression down here, so maybe next season could be the time for him to start making sub appearances for us. Marsh-Brown seems to be doing well at MK Dons, so maybe he might be worth a go at right back (although he's been playing in midfield for them, I think). As for Kaciniklic, I'd like to see him given a chance but have no idea whether he's actually good enough or not. To be honest, most of the other names are just names to me at the moment - I've got no idea whether they are good enough or how long they are going to need to develop. I would hope that several of them will make it through to the first team, but I suspect that for most of them that isn't going to be next season. We shall see.
Milsom was here for quite a few years so Cookie, Sanchez, Hodgson and Hughes will have all had a look at the boy, and if he can't do enough to impress even one of those then I have no doubts we made the right decision to let him go.
Maybe by releasing players like Paintsil and Gera we are letting players like Christian Marquez-Sanchez and Marsh Brown a way through? Both Gera and Paintsil are getting into the 30's
Hmm you could be right there. Keanu's natural position is right back, so he could be a like for like replacement for Pantsil. But his form for MK Dons playing in midfield may lead Hughes to follow suit and play him there instead.
Frei is also quite a decent player. A replacement for Gera? If these players are good enough I see no reason why we should invest too heavily in the summer. A couple of players to add a bit of depth should be sufficient. These younger players will be eager to impress. Could work in our favour.
I don't think we need to go crazy in the summer but two signings for the first team are essential (striker, attacking midfield) we will need to bring youngsters forward if we qualify for Europa again anyways.
If Norwich miss out on promotion, Wes Hoolahan would be an excellent signing as the attacking midfielder.
There are definitely a lot of young potential stars in the Championship. The two boys at Ipswich would be great signings.
