Obika a shot in a first team game while Ade's off? Perhaps the FA Cup match between Brum/ Leeds? Or to even have on the bench as an option? Now before anyone says anything, no I do not think Obika is a wonderkid, nor do I think he has a real future at the club BUT, with Ade off to the AFCON, it leaves us with Defoe as the only out and out striker and ideally, after the QPR game, I think we need another striker on the bench to bring something different to the table. For those that haven't noticed, Obika has pretty much averaged a goal a game for the U-21's this season, possibly even more than that (can't find exact stats, Spurcat, any help here?) and has just literally finished the game vs Wolves with a brace. Now while we've all slated the guy at times for being pretty much useless, it seems as if this season he's playing with a point to prove. Admittedly the reserve league is a far cry from any first team game but surely players deserve a reward for good, consistent performances at that level and Obika is certainly bagging goals for fun at the moment. Ryan Mason too has been superb, laying on a number of assists and chipping in with a few goals too. Though he's not an out and out No 9. Another case could also be made for Shaq Coulthirst, who's been impressive for the U-19's, bagging a some what famous hat trick against the Barca youth not so long ago and has been in good form through out. Only thing that works against him is he's still very young and last I saw him, doesn't look physically strong enough for first team football yet, though many small frame players would make a great argument to say that's bullshit.
I haven't checked my records, but I reckon Obika has 10 goals in 11 appearances this season (including todays game). Again, I haven't double checked before posting, but I think Coulthirst has 6 in 10 games for the under 18's plus 4 in 6 games in the NextGen competition. .
Thanks Spurcat, what do you reckon about Obika's chances of a first team shot? Am I being a bit hopeful or do you think he's improved enough to deserve a cameo?
I wanna see Townsend get a proper go sometime, seems to be performing really well in the U21s from what I can tell from Twitter
Yeah definitely, I've always liked Andros since I saw him play a pre-season game at Leyton Orient - the season when we bough Bentley and Gio - and he impressed back then with his pace and dribbling skills. Was also impressive in the FA Youth game vs Arsenal before we shipped him to Yeovil on loan. It's just unfortunately for him he's got one of the best players in Europe and a rejuvenated England international ahead of him.
I'd actually like him to come in and score the winner v United...the look on one posters face would be well worth framing!
Well you make a reasonable enough case for giving him a go, I will grant you that. But I think we both know he is not good enough. I reckon he is probably just about good enough to earn decent money from football, but not good enough to ever get that long term contract on really good money to set himself up for life. But in the spirit of your article, I agree with the principle of rewarding players who are doing well beneath the first team and there are signs Obika has worked at his game, rediscovered his enthusiasm for it and is a better all round player than he was 12 months ago.
I know you are bit brilliant on photoshop notso but 'the look on one posters face' have you rigged up a one way skype system.
Thing is Spurf, I know there's more chance of me getting a photo of hbic, than Obika scoring against United!...and the first one's not happening!
Think its well worthwhile having at least three of our 'youngsters' in the squad for the next FA cup game - Carroll, Mason & Obika And I wouldn't be surprised if Falque and/or Townsend started either (more likely Townsend!)
Much like SC states, i like the idea of promoting youth players that progress and prove themselves at each level, as what is the point of having a youth system if players aren’t rewarded for their displays? If you think about all the players we have wasted cash on down the years and have offered next to nothing in terms of performance then we should be taking more of a chance on youth players. Obika could be our "shock factor" and a man for the big time, the reason he was average in the lower leagues, was because he was too talented for that league and never had any desire to perform, many would say it was because he's rather crap, but they are missing a trick here, and SOS, you have reminded us we have a rough diamond ready to be our next goal scoring hero.
At this rate, it can't do us any harm to give him a run! Coulibaly is in the same category for me too. - labelled as the next didier drogba... Well... Lets see him!
Ha I'd love that theory to be correct. Some players have unimpressed on loan though yet performed well/ admirably for the first team - Townsend and Livermore to name two. Like I said I don't expect Obika to be here next season but while he seems to be in a purple patch and with Defoe our only recognised striker, I don't think it'd do any harm to give him the odd cameo/ cup game just to see how he'd fair.
Judging from what I've heard, Coulibaly seems to have taken his foot off the gas lately, while evidently talented and a brilliant finisher, it looks like he may have taken a Bostock/ Parrett approach in terms of thinking he's made before he's... Well made it. Looked impressive in the cameo he had at Stevenage pre-season yet hasn't really caught too many headlines for the youth this season like he did last year, maybe a loan move to get some first team footy in the League 2/ League 1 could be beneficial for him at the moment.
seeing the trouble we are having trying to sign leandro,we might as well give Obika a go,he can't do any worse than what we have at the moment,can he?
That's what I'm thinking too Tots and while he's in a good run of form for the U-21s, now more than ever would be a time to give him a crack.
Obika it is! Why on earth did we let Harry Kane go? O yeah, i remember. - AVB's plans were to come in and play his formation. Soon after realizing that he didn't have good enough, dynamic, skillful players for it (as well as injuries), he had to switch up to a 442 to get the results. Now we continue to play that formation until he gets his own players. Hear that Mr Levy & co? get the man his own players. he's already having to make do, due to a poor summer window. let's not have it again this month.
He has had an injury which the club thought might need an operation, hence him not making as many appearances this season as might have been expected. Bearing this in mind, I think the way the coaches are nurturing him at the moment, spending time with him working on his game on the training ground, is probably the right approach. If his injury has gone away, and it sounds as if it has, then I hope we will see and hear more of him in this second half of the season.
Ah so that would suggest not grabbing headlines then. Any truth in what I heard RE his attitude though Spurcat? Has he adopted a big time charlie approach like Parrett did? Hoping it's not true.
Not that I am aware of SoS. I've not heard anything negative about his attitude. I think he may also have suffered a wee bit from seeing Jordan and Allen leave the club, as both spent a lot of time with him last season and I think he's missed their coaching and their guidance. That's only my personal view though.
