Academy thread 22/23

[Ghost of Clough]

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

 

[Jubbs]

33 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

I assumed Justin Oguntolu was part of our academy

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

[Stuniverse]

On 26/04/2023 at 18:36, Ghost of Clough said:

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.

Sorry to be pedantic but I think it’s Eliot Jenks.

[Guest]

Goal by Lennon Wheeldon from the spot puts the U18s 1-0 up in 31 minutes against Man. City.

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Brailsford Ram

[RoyMac5]

 

[Mick Harford]

See True Grant (Lee Grants lad) is in nets for them, was at Derby previously.

[angieram]

 

[Ghost of Clough]

5 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Sorry to be pedantic but I think it’s Eliot Jenks.

I think that was an autocorrect 😅

[IlsonDerby]

Is their reason for optimism surrounding our younger teams than the 21s??

[Black ('n' White) Sheep]

There is a lot of talent in the under-18s... and potentially even more so in the younger age groups (16s, 15s, 14s). Even after the last couple of years the future is bright. Even if it takes a few years for this to show at U21 level.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Black ('n' White) Sheep said:

There is a lot of talent in the under-18s... and potentially even more so in the younger age groups (16s, 15s, 14s). Even after the last couple of years the future is bright. Even if it takes a few years for this to show at U21 level.

The u21s already has the best u18s in it. Hawkins Robinson Evans have all been pretty much permanent fixtures in the u21s this year and next year Moore, Moloney, Fapetu, Richards will move up with them from this u18 group which will strengthen it. Then with the current first years and some of the boys moving up to u18s I would suggest they u18s will be stronger too. The current u14s will probably supply a few lads into the u16s so I would say all 3 age groups improve next year. 

[Bald Eagle's Barmy Army]

5 hours ago, Black ('n' White) Sheep said:

There is a lot of talent in the under-18s... and potentially even more so in the younger age groups (16s, 15s, 14s). Even after the last couple of years the future is bright. Even if it takes a few years for this to show at U21 level.

One for the diary but if anybody wants to see our current U14s play, they are playing Crystal Palace at Pride Park on Sunday 28th May at 5:30pm. 
 

I’ve watched these a couple of times this season and they are very good. 
 

Definitely worth watching and hopefully the day before we play in the play off final 🙏 🤞 

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Mick Harford said:

See True Grant (Lee Grants lad) is in nets for them, was at Derby previously.

I've watched Jack Thompson in our academy since he was in the under-9s. He was in awe of True Grant who was just a year older than Jack and when True moved to Man City, Jack said he aspired to be like him. Jack's 16 now and was in goal today for the U18s. I think Derby see Jack as being in the U21 side next season if we can hang on to him. I bumped into Jack today coming out of the Portsmouth game and he was well chuffed about the City result, urging me to get down to the U18 game against Middlesbrough on Friday at Pride Park. I just hope we can hold on to him because there's a lot of interest from elsewhere.

COYR

[Stuniverse]

8 hours ago, IlsonDerby said:

Is their reason for optimism surrounding our younger teams than the 21s??

Yes.

[Mick Harford]

1 hour ago, Brailsford Ram said:

I've watched Jack Thompson in our academy since he was in the under-9s. He was in awe of True Grant who was just a year older than Jack and when True moved to Man City, Jack said he aspired to be like him. Jack's 16 now and was in goal today for the U18s. I think Derby see Jack as being in the U21 side next season if we can hang on to him. I bumped into Jack today coming out of the Portsmouth game and he was well chuffed about the City result, urging me to get down to the U18 game against Middlesbrough on Friday at Pride Park. I just hope we can hold on to him because there's a lot of interest from elsewhere.

COYR

 

Not surprised, the lads a top prospect.

I want him promoted as high as possible, Eric Steele told me to behave when I suggested he should be our Number 2! 

PIckford and Richard Wright have done that and been 1st choice at 17 due to injuries, so maybe.

[Guest]

11 hours ago, Mick Harford said:

 

Not surprised, the lads a top prospect.

I want him promoted as high as possible, Eric Steele told me to behave when I suggested he should be our Number 2! 

PIckford and Richard Wright have done that and been 1st choice at 17 due to injuries, so maybe.

That's my view too. I can remember Leicester flying Peter Shilton to Southampton on a Saturday morning to make his debut in the first division when Gordon Banks was taken ill and I saw Colin Boulton make his Rams debut aged 19 in 1965. But the modern trend is to make keepers wait until they are in their 20s before going into the first team. James Trafford at Bolton is 20 and on loan from Man. City; he has played 44 from 45 games this season and has been a Stand-out player for them this season.

I don't think Jack should be the number two at this stage because that would mean him sitting on the first-team bench all season when he needs game time for his development but he should be pushed to the highest sensible level over the next couple of seasons to maximise his development. The bigger clubs will soon be calling, waving their cheque books. If the club wants to keep him it can only be by offering him the opportunity of a pathway to the first-team quicker than a Premier League club can.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Brailsford Ram said:

That's my view too. I can remember Leicester flying Peter Shilton to Southampton on a Saturday morning to make his debut in the first division when Gordon Banks was taken ill and I saw Colin Boulton make his Rams debut aged 19 in 1965. But the modern trend is to make keepers wait until they are in their 20s before going into the first team. James Trafford at Bolton is 20 and on loan from Man. City; he has played 44 from 45 games this season and has been a Stand-out player for them this season.

I don't think Jack should be the number two at this stage because that would mean him sitting on the first-team bench all season when he needs game time for his development but he should be pushed to the highest sensible level over the next couple of seasons to maximise his development. The bigger clubs will soon be calling, waving their cheque books. If the club wants to keep him it can only be by offering him the opportunity of a pathway to the first-team quicker than a Premier League club can.

What do you do with Evans then who has also proven to be a quality goalkeeper as well? Same pathway early scholarship, pro at 17 and regular u21 since 17 as well as a successful loan spell in mens football. He has been outstanding for the u21s this year behind a makeshift defence. There has been at least one bid for him too.

Then there is the lad in the u14s who I won’t name due to his age who is also attracting big clubs interest where does he fit?

The club is blessed with a production line of high quality goalkeepers at the minute and long may that continue. 

I think that Thompson has to adjust to being a full time footballer on his scholarship next year (as they all do, it is a massive step schoolboy to scholar) and will play u18s to start with time on u21 bench and PL Cup games at u21. That is the next stage in his development, probably like Evans did he will move into the u21s around Xmas.

Evans will go out on loan again next year this time to step 3 or 4 and for the full season. This may have an impact on Thompson and when he goes into u21.

I think the lad who is currently u14s going into u15s will play u16s next year for his development. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, ExiledinDerby said:

What do you do with Evans then who has also proven to be a quality goalkeeper as well? Same pathway early scholarship, pro at 17 and regular u21 since 17 as well as a successful loan spell in mens football. He has been outstanding for the u21s this year behind a makeshift defence. There has been at least one bid for him too.

Then there is the lad in the u14s who I won’t name due to his age who is also attracting big clubs interest where does he fit?

The club is blessed with a production line of high quality goalkeepers at the minute and long may that continue. 

I think that Thompson has to adjust to being a full time footballer on his scholarship next year (as they all do, it is a massive step schoolboy to scholar) and will play u18s to start with time on u21 bench and PL Cup games at u21. That is the next stage in his development, probably like Evans did he will move into the u21s around Xmas.

Evans will go out on loan again next year this time to step 3 or 4 and for the full season. This may have an impact on Thompson and when he goes into u21.

I think the lad who is currently u14s going into u15s will play u16s next year for his development. 

Jack Thompson's been offered a four year pro-contract to coincide with the start of his scholarship in the summer. The fact that Derby have made the offer means they can negotiate a transfer fee beyond his academy costs compensation if he moves elsewhere. I think that he is likely to attract bigger wage offers from Premier League offers than Derby can afford to pay in the summer. The PL clubs are concentrating on acquiring British youngsters because Brexit has limited the previous supply from Europe. If he moves on, we will still hopefully retain Evans for the future.

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, Brailsford Ram said:

Jack Thompson's been offered a four year pro-contract to coincide with the start of his scholarship in the summer. The fact that Derby have made the offer means they can negotiate a transfer fee beyond his academy costs compensation if he moves elsewhere. I think that he is likely to attract bigger wage offers from Premier League offers than Derby can afford to pay in the summer. The PL clubs are concentrating on acquiring British youngsters because Brexit has limited the previous supply from Europe. If he moves on, we will still hopefully retain Evans for the future.

Thompson has a pro starting at the day he turns 17 until 2026 he can’t turn pro until his 17th birthday that’s the rules. Evans pro started at the end of his first year scholar and runs until 2025 so both deals are similar. 
 

Both were offered to protect the club and Derby rejected an offer for a premier league club for Evans. I know the situation with regards to transfers and Brexit which is why Derby offer scholarships and pros early to those who gain interest.

Thompson still needs to develop and is not ready for u21s yet. He’s a good young goalkeeper but has to go through the process. The same as Evans is not ready for first team yet he needs more time in the mens game on loan.

Both are good keepers and I’d honestly say that young keepers moving Cat 1 to Cat 1 at these ages are very rare because of values involved. The big boys generally snap up Cat 2 keepers because they are cheaper and plenty of them are good enough. 

Both Evans and Thompson will be here for a while because of their contracts so both need nurturing and developed in the right way at the right time. 

[angieram]

Jack is a big Derby fan, too, isn't he? That might help us to keep him here.

I don't know about Harry, but his dad is Plymouth Argyle!