I probably agree in the long term, but i think he's on the left at the moment for a few reasons: 1. To improve his left foot and combat this need to go onto his right 2. As a few of the coaches and staff has said, we want to make all youth and reserves players accustomed to the formations and style of the first team, and that evidently demands being able to play in several positions. Was great the other day seeing Downing do damage on both wings, and will be even beter if we can get this into Sterling from a young age. 3. To challenge him? He's so far ahead of those he's playing against, if you put him up against youth/reserve right backs every week he might find it easy and stagnate. Playing him on his 'wrong side' Think we've lacked pace on the wings for so long that we're desperate for that out-and-out winger, but in the meantime maybe its good for his development at least
If you want him to have first team games, we'll take him back on loan if you like.... Always thought he'd go on to great things when he was in the QPR youth team, shame it's not at Loftus Road though. Be good to see him break through and play to his potential (as long as it's not against us, in which games I hope he falls on his arse!)
Skrtels Nips. I believe you're right. I believe that even when Raheem Sterling was 15 they believed that he was too good for the under 18s. So they challenged him by playing him on the wrong side, however it didn't matter, he excelled on both sides. I believe his next test will be the reserves where defenders will force him onto his weaker side and he will have to learn how to switch feet in one movement. I reckon they could possibly show him DVD's on Fernando Torres whom in my opinion was one of the best at switching feet in one movement when forced onto his weaker left foot. He could switch to his right in one movement and then accelerate.
[video=youtube;gbDxiKM0c8M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbDxiKM0c8M[/video] Good vid, shows what he's all about.
In this match he was unstoppable... [video=youtube;ER6S2tCkY0M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER6S2tCkY0M[/video]
That is awesome. He looks a real player. It's been a while since we have had a real stunner of a player come through. It would be nice if he could be.
first he must sign a pro contract, so you won't see him until he is at least 17. second he's got that great asset, no not the pace, the trickery or the goals... its wanting to be involved, wanting the ball wanting to be the star. finally i think the next gneration tournament will be a big thing for him so i really hope we get him signed up when he turns 17 and keep him progressing. Lads like flanagan and robinson prove its possible, guys like amoo also prove you can look good but plateau.
Have you seen that Hull City have put in an offer for Dani Ayala, hope we don't sell him, the lads got potential
Thought he had signed a pro contract this summer? maybe i'm wrong Don't think we should push him to early though as he's not massive physically and it could reck his career if he picks up a serious injury so young. Would be nice to see him in a couple of cup games though!!!
I was under impression he signed a contract also but maybe im mixed up with another of the upcoming youngsters.Sterling looks mobile and versatile for sure, however my first impressions when i seen the clips was that hes quite greedy on the ball.Thats not necessarily a bad thing of course especially when you can go past people and create chances, just hoping he has the eye for a clinical pass if theres no chance of a shot on goal. Age aside theres no reason not to bring him on later in games when we are a few goals ahead and make an impression.Could be an effective super sub
He can only sign professional in December after his 17th birthday. So I reckon thats when he'll progress within the first team squad,he'll probably train with them up until then and play with the reserves. I reckon his progression will depend on how he adapts to the reserves,if he struggles which seems unlikely,then he won't make it, if he flourishes which seems more likely he'll make the step up. I believe that he's one of these ones that takes progression like a duck to water and doesn't feel out of place at different levels.
