Youth academy prospects

[mightymoyes]

I believe Moyes thought Neville was the more disciplined midfielder, not necessarily the better.

Anyways, hope to see Lundstram next, not really got high hopes for anyone in the U21s or U18s.

do you include the school boys who were playing for the u-21's towards the end of the season in that swisso?

 

[swisso]

do you include the school boys who were playing for the u-21's towards the end of the season in that swisso?

Nah, don't include the likes of Williams, Kenny, Ledson or Charsley in that

This Under 16 bunch coming through in July (hopefully the club announces them soon, but i'd rather not pre-empt their announcement!) is one of the better groups for a while and the next group after them is one of the better groups as well.

Co-incidentally, these are the groups that have benefited from 'growing up' at Finch Farm having joined when they were 10/11 years old. The products of Finch Farm if you will. Proof of the pudding and all that.

 

[catcherintherye]

Nah, don't include the likes of Williams, Kenny, Ledson or Charsley in that

This Under 16 bunch coming through in July (hopefully the club announces them soon, but i'd rather not pre-empt their announcement!) is one of the better groups for a while and the next group after them is one of the better groups as well.

Co-incidentally, these are the groups that have benefited from 'growing up' at Finch Farm having joined when they were 10/11 years old. The products of Finch Farm if you will. Proof of the pudding and all that.

Ledson is very highly thought of, but aren't he, Williams and Charsley all CM?
I have been told the under 15/16 year group, are considered to be significsntly better than the last few years we have had. Given we have just had 5 players in the under 20's, that bodes well.
I take it we'll see a lot of the lads you've mentioned in the U18's next season Swisso?

 

[Azzurri]

Nah, don't include the likes of Williams, Kenny, Ledson or Charsley in that

This Under 16 bunch coming through in July (hopefully the club announces them soon, but i'd rather not pre-empt their announcement!) is one of the better groups for a while and the next group after them is one of the better groups as well.

Co-incidentally, these are the groups that have benefited from 'growing up' at Finch Farm having joined when they were 10/11 years old. The products of Finch Farm if you will. Proof of the pudding and all that.

Got high hopes for that U16 group, they seem to be winning all sorts and have a few playing for their country.

 

[bluemangroup]

Nah, don't include the likes of Williams, Kenny, Ledson or Charsley in that

This Under 16 bunch coming through in July (hopefully the club announces them soon, but i'd rather not pre-empt their announcement!) is one of the better groups for a while and the next group after them is one of the better groups as well.

Co-incidentally, these are the groups that have benefited from 'growing up' at Finch Farm having joined when they were 10/11 years old. The products of Finch Farm if you will. Proof of the pudding and all that.

I know it's an impossible question to answer really but over the next 5 years, how many do you think will trouble the first team? Will we get a finch farm generation coming through?

 

[swisso]

Ledson is very highly thought of, but aren't he, Williams and Charsley all CM?
I have been told the under 15/16 year group, are considered to be significsntly better than the last few years we have had. Given we have just had 5 players in the under 20's, that bodes well.
I take it we'll see a lot of the lads you've mentioned in the U18's next season Swisso?

As far as i know, Ledson, Kenny, Williams and Charsley have been offered scholarships and will join full time in July

Ledson has played centrehalf for England U16s (bizarrely) and is more of a deeper playmaker in my eyes. Charsley (Ireland U17s) is more offensive and has played out right and left, but as you say, predominantly a centre-mid (has a Cahill-like knack of being in the box at the right time!) and Williams is a very composed all-rounder who lives down the road from me!

One thing that's clearly noticeable is their style of play. Previously we've had, let's be fair, some hoofers and some uncompromising players, but this lot seem to want to play their way out of everything. They're all small lads, especially Kenny, but their intelligence is beyond their years.

Whether we can attribute that to Finch Farm and perhaps to Moyes, remains to be seen, but the proof of the investment in infrastructure is certainly starting with these U16s and U15s and beyond. I saw some 9-10 year olds training last time i went to Finch Farm and they'll have the benefit of spending their entire footballing life up to professional years, at Finch Farm.

 

[swisso]

I know it's an impossible question to answer really but over the next 5 years, how many do you think will trouble the first team? Will we get a finch farm generation coming through?

I certainly think the percentage of possible first teamer's is higher than it's ever been.

I honestly do think we'll see a noticeable difference though between the 'Finch Farm generation' kids and the generation before. Not massive, because real talent doesn't need a hydrotherapy pool and relaxation spa's to shine, but every little bit helps!

 

[Christiffa25]

How olds George green now?

May we be seeing a bit of him this Pre-season?

 

[swisso]

Green is starting his second year in the U18's this coming season, so he's 17 going on 18 this season.

Definitely won't be seeing him anywhere near Martinez's squad anytime soon.

 

[bluemangroup]

I certainly think the percentage of possible first teamer's is higher than it's ever been.

I honestly do think we'll see a noticeable difference though between the 'Finch Farm generation' kids and the generation before. Not massive, because real talent doesn't need a hydrotherapy pool and relaxation spa's to shine, but every little bit helps!

I know it took a jacuzzi full of people for me to find my real talent.....would you say our youth teams then focus on technical aspects a lot more than they used to? It's an area I'm interested in but don't know enough about...

 

[swisso]

I know it took a jacuzzi full of people for me to find my real talent.....would you say our youth teams then focus on technical aspects a lot more than they used to? It's an area I'm interested in but don't know enough about...

It's an area that i suppose one would need insider knowledge of to be able to comment on, the only knowledge i really have is from watching the U18's every week and keeping track of who's who

I think we've come a long way since Moyes took over though; training methods, practice sessions, smaller 5v5 games on smaller pitches, training indoors (when our old Academy at Netherton was basically pitches and portacabins! > see it here on bingmaps)

The noticeable difference is evident in the mentalities of the players, their intelligence on the pitch. Better coaching and facilities allow you to offer the environment to improve their composure and decision making.

 

[bluemangroup]

It's an area that i suppose one would need insider knowledge of to be able to comment on, the only knowledge i really have is from watching the U18's every week and keeping track of who's who

I think we've come a long way since Moyes took over though; training methods, practice sessions, smaller 5v5 games on smaller pitches, training indoors (when our old Academy at Netherton was basically pitches and portacabins! > see it here on bingmaps)

The noticeable difference is evident in the mentalities of the players, their intelligence on the pitch. Better coaching and facilities allow you to offer the environment to improve their composure and decision making.

I'm all for giving Moyes credit and the like but could some of that progress be attributed to a general shift in attitude in the country towards youth development? I'd imagine given our facilities we have improved possibly faster than some, but do you know what I mean...?

 

[swisso]

Oh definitely, the attitude in England has changed in the last decade, I was more alluding to the fact that this has happened under Moyes' stewardship

 

[bluemangroup]

Oh definitely, the attitude in England has changed in the last decade, I was more alluding to the fact that this has happened under Moyes' stewardship

Fair enough. It's certainly a good thing that we are well positioned to promote youth. Just felt like picking your brain over a couple of things mate.

 

[catcherintherye]

As far as i know, Ledson, Kenny, Williams and Charsley have been offered scholarships and will join full time in July

Ledson has played centrehalf for England U16s (bizarrely) and is more of a deeper playmaker in my eyes. Charsley (Ireland U17s) is more offensive and has played out right and left, but as you say, predominantly a centre-mid (has a Cahill-like knack of being in the box at the right time!) and Williams is a very composed all-rounder who lives down the road from me!

One thing that's clearly noticeable is their style of play. Previously we've had, let's be fair, some hoofers and some uncompromising players, but this lot seem to want to play their way out of everything. They're all small lads, especially Kenny, but their intelligence is beyond their years.

Whether we can attribute that to Finch Farm and perhaps to Moyes, remains to be seen, but the proof of the investment in infrastructure is certainly starting with these U16s and U15s and beyond. I saw some 9-10 year olds training last time i went to Finch Farm and they'll have the benefit of spending their entire footballing life up to professional years, at Finch Farm.

I thought Kenny was a right back/centre back? Also in the year below Walsh appears to be a very talented player with quick feet.
Difficult question I know, but how do those 4 central midfielders compare to what Barkley was like at the same age?