As I'm an exile, I don't get to hear or see much of our younger players, so after seeing that our reserve team yesterday was full of academy players, I wanted to gauge some opinions from people that are in the know about how good our current academy players are. I see that we have recently lost one youngster in Sam Kelly, who has gone to Everton. I must confess I know nothing of the lad, so can anyone say if this is a big loss for us? Lastly, are there any real prospects that might be pushing for 1st team action next season?
I know both of Huckerby's boys are in the academy, if they grow up to have the talent of their old man then they'll be hot prospects.
the striker Loza keeps scoring, certainly from what i have read from afar he seems promising. i don't think anyone is close to first team action. Of the current bunch out on loan, you've got Korey Smith, George Francomb and Tom Adeyimi - should be considered in this question as well?
Matt Ball went on loan recently. Can't stop scoring in the reserves. Looks a prospect. The academy is improving and I think it's in the long term plans of the club to produce our own players. It really is what we need to be doing!
We have been here so many times before with what appears to be a dynasty rising out of the academy yet when they get to the first team the don't fulfil their promise. Unfortunately, they aren't given the time for a run in the team regardless of how well they play.
Matt Ball is definitely a prospect, his uncle is a good mate of mine and I've know about him since he was a kid and he's definitely got the right attitude as well as ability. Some first team action on loan at Macclesfield will be brilliant for him, hope he does well and gets himself into the first team. Not sure about many others, seems to be different names every time I look at the reserve line-up - why does Simon Lappin not even get a run out with them these days?
Josh Dawkin is on loan at cambride united. they are in Blue square prem. He scored for them the other night.
If I recall Matt Ball went to Germany with the first team at the beginning of last season and seems to be well regarded. I think he captained the Academy for quite a while. We know a lot about Korey in League One and the Championship and he capatained the reserves this season before he was injured. Seems to be doing okay at Barnsley. Tom Adeyemi is highly thought of at Oldham. George Francomb (up at Hibs) is definitely a possibility for the future as is Josh Dawkin at Cambridge. Richard Brindley is also another one. Had a great match against Blackburn Reserves at start of the season. Of the current Academy, I see Loza's name on the scoresheet a lot. Interesting that we now seem to play the Academy side as our reserve side rather than giving Lapps and some others a run out. I think Remi Matthews in goal also looks promising and may have to go onto the bench if we were to lose Jed or Ruddy as well as Rudd. The current academy squad are listed here... http://www.canaries.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10355,00.html Anyway, what do I know? Who can make it in the Premier, I've no idea. OTBC
