Miscellaneous Reserve/Youth News

TwoSheds

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Which will get coached to them by the manager.
Not working so well this far. If Mourinho and Van Gaal can't teach it then I'd suggest it's a bit too late for some of those players to be trying to learn it.
 

AltiUn

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There's some very bitter Ajax fans in the Reddit thread about this lad, which leads me to believe we're signing a very good player. Here's what one of them had to say about the lad.
completely two-footed, really good close control and even better in front of goal. Can play cf, on the wings, and as a 10. Is quick. can pass. Only real downside is his height tbh.
 

AltiUn

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Our release list, not sad to see the back of any of them really.
 

SparkedIntoLife

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Willock, Dearnley, Whelan, Sang, Baars, Olosunde - not bothered, were never going to be good enough
Buffonge - surprised, always thought he seemed useful and perhaps could be an outside contender to become a first team player
Poole - came in with some hype, stagnated but seems to revitalise his career last season on loan. Too little, too late.
Warren - was spoken about glowingly a few years back. He never kicked on and I think he was stuck in no man's land between RB and CD (which I fear might happen to O'Connor)
Wilson - the biggest disappointment. I thought he looked incredible a few years ago and was nailed on. Very quick and a good finisher. However, injuries and allegedly a poor attitude have curtailed his development.

Hopefully we sort out our reserves and other development pathways such as the loan system. Far too many players lately have plateaued. I feel there's still some old school coaching mindsets in the club which don't always help (i.e. let's toughen you up in a shitty environment, stop doing tricks and skills - be productive, play in several positions to make you more well rounded). It leaves us with some unmotivated and underconfident players; though can be good for us producing players that stay in and around professional football.
 

KM

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Any truth in this?
 

limerickcitykid

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Any truth in this?
Yep JB said in another thread. Apparently doesn't see a way through with Mason being only a year older and obviously being the golden boy. Which is fair enough really. Mentioned interest from the Netherlands and Germany.

Ah see you've been shown the other post now.
 

KM

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Yep JB said in another thread. Apparently doesn't see a way through with Mason being only a year older and obviously being the golden boy. Which is fair enough really. Mentioned interest from the Netherlands and Germany.
Can't blame him. Really wanted to work him for us though, with him being poached from City(I think).
 

KM

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Our release list, not sad to see the back of any of them really.
Surprised no mention of Gribbin.
Also seems like Poole has been doing great for County. We still have an option for extending his contract. Seems like there could be a player there.
 

0le

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Can't blame him. Really wanted to work him for us though, with him being poached from City(I think).
I can understand his view to an extent, but surely you would want to surround yourself with good talent to improve your game? Its not like he is in the prime of his career and not getting games, he is still very young so there is plenty of time and a lot can happen.
 

Mark Pawelek

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Our release list, not sad to see the back of any of them really.
Those released were on contracts expiring this summer but not renewed. I think we have two more on contracts expiring this summer: Ethan Hamilton and Kieran O'Hara. Both Hamilton and O'Hara has very good loan spells. So: if they're not being released, I reckon they must've been given improved contracts after their excellent loans. The carrot approach to squad development.
 

limerickcitykid

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I can understand his view to an extent, but surely you would want to surround yourself with good talent to improve your game? Its not like he is in the prime of his career and not getting games, he is still very young so there is plenty of time and a lot can happen.
He will still be surrounded by good talent though, he isn't leaving to join a Sunday league team. Bundesliga clubs have talented academies too. He isn't in his prime but he is in the stage of his career that he needs to start looking for pathways to senior football. He deems there isn't a pathway here so what benefit is there to staying? He could stay another 2-3 years and then leave or he can leave now and find a club that will prioritize his development and have a club that has a legitimate path for him to succeed in the next 2-3 years.
 

Based Adnan

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What's going on with Gribbin? Hearing he's either on a temporary break from football or he's quit for good? Seems odd either way
 

Sassy Colin

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From the MEN:

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs revealed he consulted Nicky Butt when selecting United youngster Dylan Levitt for his Wales squad.

The 18-year-old United midfielder could be in line for his international debut when Wales face Croatia and Hungary after a first senior call-up.

He joins United transfer target Daniel James and Man City's Matt Smith in the 28-man squad, with Giggs revealing the thought process behind selecting Levitt.

"I mean I know more about Dylan because he is at United," revealed Giggs.

"I have spoken to Butt about him a few times, seen him a few times live on TV and in person. He is similar to Matty Smith: he wants to get the ball down, wants to pass, get in different positions. He impressed me last week, and that is why he is in the squad."
https://www.manchestereveningnews.c.../manchester-united-levitt-giggs-butt-16347289
 

Beaucoup

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That's a good list of clubs that he's been linked to. How good is he?
Difficult to say, I've only seen him play a handful of times, he didn't stand out but City have got a strong group of players around the same age.
 

KM

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Josh Bohui being released is very surprising.
 

AltiUn

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Josh Bohui being released is very surprising.
I’m not entirely surprised, he’s got talent but he’s very inconsistent. Seems to have a lot more bad games than good too.
 

Mickson

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Josh Bohui being released is very surprising.
I'm not. He's 20 years old and scored what, 2 goals for the U23 last season? He's a striker who can't score goals - even at U23 level. Then you know you have a problem.
 

In Rainbows

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I'm not. He's 20 years old and scored what, 2 goals for the U23 last season? He's a striker who can't score goals - even at U23 level. Then you know you have a problem.
Plus Mellor is a similar player and I like Mellor as a talent more.
 

Mickson

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Surprised Kieran O'Hara, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Demi Mitchell and Ethan Hamilton weren't on the released list.
We could get decent money for all of them. Also, I'm not entirely sure we should give up on Mitchell. I'd like to see him in a Championship-team.
 

Stobzilla

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Surprised Kieran O'Hara, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Demi Mitchell and Ethan Hamilton weren't on the released list.
From what I remember, O'Hara and Hamilton both had good spells out on loan. CBJ had a bit of a time it at Scunthorpe, 33 appearances though, most of what I read was that he was good going forward but left exposed when defending owing to Scunthorpe playing an extremely narrow diamond in midfield.

Mitchell had a less impressive season at Hearts. But as ever, it is what they learn and bring back with them that is the most important thing.
 

Class of 63

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From what I remember, O'Hara and Hamilton both had good spells out on loan. CBJ had a bit of a time it at Scunthorpe, 33 appearances though, most of what I read was that he was good going forward but left exposed when defending owing to Scunthorpe playing an extremely narrow diamond in midfield.

Mitchell had a less impressive season at Hearts. But as ever, it is what they learn and bring back with them that is the most important thing.
Had high hopes for Demi when he was 15/16 but he hasn't really kicked on, though in fairness a lot of that is down to injuries, I just feel we've got players in the younger ages groups better in their positions than all four of them. We could send them all out on loan again but we'd have to pay the bulk if not all their wages, it's fine if it works out, but if it doesn't we might get less than we'd get now after reasonably good loan deals. Better to cut our loses now, and if need be insert buy-back clauses.
 

limerickcitykid

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Bohui was average at best, where do people get the idea he is good from? He's basically Zak Dearnley level.

And why do I always see people talking about Baars? He is complete shite.
 

Mickson

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Not to be sniffed at, but we'd be lucky to get £10m for the four combined.
I would call that decent money but maybe not in the footballing world :D

Bohui was average at best, where do people get the idea he is good from? He's basically Zak Dearnley level.

And why do I always see people talking about Baars? He is complete shite.
Baars was an interesting one. So much hype, but I thought he was below average even at U18 and U23-level. Wonder what happened.
 

OohAahMartial

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I assume we are loaning out Laird if we are in for AWB or Max Aarons. Seems he's not really rated highly I guess, seems surprising to me as he looks very talented. Is it just his age that's an issue? Seems as big as Max Aarons already.
 

Class of 63

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I assume we are loaning out Laird if we are in for AWB or Max Aarons. Seems he's not really rated highly I guess, seems surprising to me as he looks very talented. Is it just his age that's an issue? Seems as big as Max Aarons already.
There's more chance of us loaning Ole Gunnar out next season. Laird missed virtually the whole of last season with injuries and needs to get back on the pitch, and he's still only 17
 

KM

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Simon Peach says in his QandA that the club is looking for strategic partnerships with club for loaning players.