Stuniverse

😂
It's all down to David Clowes and Stephen Pearce. 

It wasn't a secret, it was in the minutes and I said so at the time.
It's not my fault if folks can't be bothered to read the bloody things! 😂

Bit of hearsay so might be wrong, but I've heard that the academy have had loads of ex Prem academy trialists in at all age groups. Then for the impressive ones when contracts/scholarships are discussed, they demand first team level money so conversations die very quickly.
Sure things haven't worked out for Nunn or Lo-Everton but for the likes of Ebiowei or Plange, big rewards. 

Roberts - With first team backup being in the first team squad most weeks, I can see the club keeping Roberts for an extra year to provide cover for the U21s. Especially since I expect Foulkes to leave and it would be in the best interests of Evans' development to go out on loan. Isn't he also a 1st year pro, with most youngsters typically getting 2 year deals?
Brailsford, Ibrahim, and Kelly - aren't they also 1st year pros, so likely to have 1 more year with us? They were three of our most used U21s this season too, so it's not as if they're out of favour. I suppose Ibrahim is most at risk due to not pushing on since he first joined us and depth at CM.
Aideyan - Currently 2nd year scholars, so I would expect him to be given a pro deal, even if for only 1 season due to our limited squad depth.
Sebagabo - Similar to Aideyan with being a 2nd year scholar. Competition at CM is tough though and he hasn't pushed on much since stepping up to the U18s, but has struggled with injuries.
Solomon and WGP - I would also include Bardell in this group based on age. Tough one due to promising youngsters coming through, but at the same time we still need to have a squad. We also don't want to repeat the last couple of seasons of struggles, so a bit of 'experience' could be useful at guiding some of the youngsters. Injuries to Bardell and Solomon over the past 2 seasons have held them back, whilst WGP would also be cover at LWB. Probably comes down to budget and/or if they think they are ready to go play men's football elsewhere.

Squads for next season (with the view to getting all players used to 3 at the back)? Not necessity what I would do, but what I thin we'll do.
U21s
GK :  Evans, Roberts
CB :  Bardell, Solomon, Grewal-Pollard, Moore, Aideyan, Cox*
WB :  Oduroh, Brailsford, Moloney, Burton
CM :  Bates, DRobinson, Ibrahim, Hawkins, Sebagabo, Fapetu
W :  Kelly, Richards, Davidson*
CF : Nunn, Oseni, DBrown*, Wheeldon*
* = still scholars
Possible outs :  Foulkes, CDixon, Aghatise, Lo-Everton, Cybulski, Taylor-Hart, Vigar
 
U18s
GK :  JThompson, Shattell, Price
CB :  KRobinson, Osayande, IGordon, Banks
WB :  Perry, Gough, Gill
CM :  Simons, Ashia, McAndrew, Eames, Allen
W :  Osong, Augustien, Oguntulu, Irefin
CF : 
Possible outs :  ZDixon

What an evening that was! 

I watched him last week against Man City and he was very good. 

Good. Put in one crunching tackle though that rightly earned him a yellow. 
Didn't look out of place at the higher level.

No, I don't think so yet. Darren Robinson probably the closest in terms of strength and aggression. I think Dujaune Brown needs a season with under 21s. There was a left winger Davidson very quick and scored a fantastic goal, and good to see two taller centrebacks, one of whom interestingly was taking the corner kicks. 
I like the look of the under 18s, a well balanced squad, unlike the 21s this season. Need to see some of those lads playing in a stronger side next year, see what they are capable of as it's hard to judge them on this season's performance. 
Two great young goalkeppers, too. Promising and I've not given up on the Academy yet! 

Stopped posting as no-one reading. We won 3-0, two clear penalties and the referee didn't hesitate in giving them. 
The final scoreline was more reflective of the dominance of Derby. Jack was a spectator most of the game but came out with a great save when he needed to.
Good to see the under 18s finish the season strongly.
Fapetu was my MOTM.

I really wish they’d televise these games again on Rams Tv ☹️

I don't know whether it will influence anyone to attend, but we can go to watch the under 18s play against Middlesbrough tonight at Pride Park , 6 pm kickoff.
@Brailsford Ram mentioned it a few days ago, but there has been nothing official put out by the Club. Anyway, a friend has rung and we can attend. I'm assuming East Stand as usual. 
It's a nice evening and young Jack Thompson will be playing in goal, hopefully Lennon Wheeldon up front too.
I've not had chance to see the under 18s this season, but they are playing well. 
If you do go, be kind to the young team. It will be the first time for many of them playing at Pride Park.

Yes.

I think that was an autocorrect 😅

The following players are all under contract until the summer of 2024:
Goalkeeper: Joe Wildsmith.
Defenders: Eiran Cashin, Jake Rooney, Kwaku Oduroh.
Midfield: Max Bird, Conor Hourihane, Jason Knight*, Korey Smith, Louie Sibley, Liam Thompson, Krystian Bielik.
Wingers: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Tom Barkhuizen.
Strikers: James Collins.
* = Derby to exercise one year extension option.
So a squad of 14 players (effectively 12 if you discount Oduroh and Bielik).
Source: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gallery/derby-county-contracted-players-transfers-8396251
 

Me too considering they named him rather than calling him "trialist" so perhaps he's signed?

I assumed Justin Oguntolu was part of our academy. Scored in the last 2 U18 games, played in the last 4 games.
https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=47216
 

Lorenzo Saponara - 17 year old CB from Leyton Orient. Was also at Palace for a short trial.
Eliot Henks - 18 year old CM from Brighton. Been in and out of their U18 squad this season, but has 1 goal and 3 assists in 11 games.

Nice extended highlights from the u18s win vs Liverpool. 
 

Bamfords auction place, chequers road, 10 min walk.£5.

Thanks everybody. I’ve given him options and he says thank you.