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Academy thread 23/24


IlsonDerby

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8 hours ago, ilkleyram said:

According to Radio Derby tonight he was actually at the match. Though I guess that doesn’t fit in with the ‘he hates the academy and young players’ mantra that some are trotting out.

David Clowes and the first-team coaches sat together near to where I was sitting. They also attended the previous tie at Mansfield. Matt Hamshaw and Andy Warrington watched the last 70 minutes of the U21 game against Arsenal on Friday. It's a very recent phenomenon and good to see. None of them joined Nigel Clough on the bench at the U21 game at Mansfield early in the month. Maybe it's not just a coincidence that this has come about since @Ghost of Clough and @Bald Eagle's Barmy Army raised their concerns. I hope so because it's very positive to think that those running the club will take notice of what they see as valid fan opinions.

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17 minutes ago, Banksy said:

David Clowes and the first-team coaches sat together near to where I was sitting. They also attended the previous tie at Mansfield. Matt Hamshaw and Andy Warrington watched the last 70 minutes of the U21 game against Arsenal on Friday. It's a very recent phenomenon and good to see. None of them joined Nigel Clough on the bench at the U21 game at Mansfield early in the month. Maybe it's not just a coincidence that this has come about since @Ghost of Clough and @Bald Eagle's Barmy Army raised their concerns. I hope so because it's very positive to think that those running the club will take notice of what they see as valid fan opinions.

A coincidence it all started visibly happening after DC and Warne's little 'rock on' chat? I think not. 

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35 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

A coincidence it all started visibly happening after DC and Warne's little 'rock on' chat? I think not. 

I know that Matt Hamshaw and Andy Warrington were taking a direct interest before this to be fair. Back in October the academy coaches had considered putting Jack Thompson into the U21 side. Discussions surrounded as to whether or not he was ready to step up at 16. Hamshaw and Warrington watched him in the U18 team and said they wanted to see him in the U21s because they thought he was ready and so he was put in. A friend of mine watched the game on the TV stream last night and he says that Bradley Johnson commented that having Thompson in goal is almost like having an extra defender because he is so good with the ball at his feet and the defence use him in passing out from the back.

In fairness to Warne and his staff this is the first time they have been at a club with an academy. Using the available resources at the right time may be a learning curve for them. The interviews I have seen with Matt Hale, Craig Fleming, Bucko and Danny Maye  are very encouraging for me and I think we may be seeing positive signs of a closer bonding between the first team and academy coaches. I hope so because it can only be for the greater good of the club.

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Having watched last night I can comfortably say that we have some absolute gems in that age group. Daj Brown looks an absolute beast up front and complements the natural finisher in Wheeldon who looks even more impressive. With the supporting cast of Cruz Allen and Niall McAndrew. I want to say that all of them that I’ve named will make the grade with ease. Those 4 there could be worth big money in 5-6 years time 

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28 minutes ago, Big Trav said:

Having watched last night I can comfortably say that we have some absolute gems in that age group. Daj Brown looks an absolute beast up front and complements the natural finisher in Wheeldon who looks even more impressive. With the supporting cast of Cruz Allen and Niall McAndrew. I want to say that all of them that I’ve named will make the grade with ease. Those 4 there could be worth big money in 5-6 years time 

I really like Hawkins and he reminds me a lot of Bird. He seemed completely at ease last night and never needed to get out of 2nd gear. 

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13 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

I really like Hawkins and he reminds me a lot of Bird. He seemed completely at ease last night and never needed to get out of 2nd gear. 

For me those 4 are the key u18 players. They are the best in that age group and I’d expect them to be the ones who make a real impact on the u21 side this season. Hawkins and Brown already have games under their belt of course and Allen and McAndrew are the best 2 out of all the first year scholars by far and both playing and performing well internationally is another bonus. 

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It’s always been my biggest gripe with Warne. If we’re not giving the academy lads a chance in this league, we’re hardly likely to risk them against better sides in the championship 

Perhaps we’ve been spoilt the last few years with 5-10 academy players debuting every season. It started the Lampard season tbf when he gave Bogle and Bird a proper go. 
 

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3 hours ago, Banksy said:

David Clowes and the first-team coaches sat together near to where I was sitting. They also attended the previous tie at Mansfield. Matt Hamshaw and Andy Warrington watched the last 70 minutes of the U21 game against Arsenal on Friday. It's a very recent phenomenon and good to see. None of them joined Nigel Clough on the bench at the U21 game at Mansfield early in the month. Maybe it's not just a coincidence that this has come about since @Ghost of Clough and @Bald Eagle's Barmy Army raised their concerns. I hope so because it's very positive to think that those running the club will take notice of what they see as valid fan opinions.

I think it's great they was there last night, especially the night before the first team have an away game too. I don't think this would have happened before "the talk" that sunny Sunday morning at Clowes pad though.

But, it's all good and well them sat in the stands, we need to see more action on the training pitch and appearances as a first team player. 

You don't produce Bellingham players by them playing U21's and below. 

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