Loan Watch: Alfie Devine

[eddiebailey]

I'm not so sure. He plays passes exclusively to feet, never into space. We need more movement from players off the ball, but that won't happen unless the players on the ball regularly pass to runners, not to players standing still and facing them.

Not sure that’s true. Looking at his highlights from the Hearts game he’s picking out runs and delivering the ball into the runners path. What he isn’t doing is playing percentage balls into empty space in the hope/expectation that a runner will appear.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Not sure that’s true. Looking at his highlights from the Hearts game he’s picking out runs and delivering the ball into the runners path. What he isn’t doing is playing percentage balls into empty space in the hope/expectation that a runner will appear.

Fair play, the Hearts game showed a different passing style in some places, but the QPR highlights were almost entirely him ppassing to players' feet.

 

[ronzalo]

I didn’t see anything in the QPR friendly in the stands that made me think he will be an amazing player. Pretty steady and some decent passing, but nothing like what Bergvall looked like with 20 mins on the pitch. Equally of course, that’s a short time to judge a player.

 

[EQP]

I didn’t see anything in the QPR friendly in the stands that made me think he will be an amazing player. Pretty steady and some decent passing, but nothing like what Bergvall looked like with 20 mins on the pitch. Equally of course, that’s a short time to judge a player.

Would be more than thrilled if he became an effective player in this team.

Not every player needs to be amazing or dazzle with each touch or dribble, we need players who can consistently perform and be relied upon to do their job with no fuss.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Would be more than thrilled if he became an effective player in this team.

Not every player needs to be amazing or dazzle with each touch or dribble, we need players who can consistently perform and be relied upon to do their job with no fuss.

I think he could be Skippy+

But, not sure he ever gets to be a starter absent an injury crisis. If he is OK with that career path, then I think as a club-trained player - there is room for him on the roster - for now. In 2-3 years - probably not.

 

[eddiebailey]

Fair play, the Hearts game showed a different passing style in some places, but the QPR highlights were almost entirely him ppassing to players' feet.

Played a different role against QPR, sitting deepest of the midfield three. To the best of my knowledge he’s never played there before, so can be excused for being a bit safety conscious.

 

[Cochise]

I've only just had a chance to watch the QPR game and I liked him in that deep role. His passing was far from safe, he made quite a few line breaking passes and was a lot better in that role than Hall who tried to dribble through the press and was often dispossessed. It was like watching what Kroos did for Germany this summer. He dropped in to space received the ball and turned at the same time and passed it quickly forwards with accuracy.

 

[Hercules]

Would not be surprised to see him out on loan again

 

[taidgh]

Would not be surprised to see him out on loan again

Disappointing but makes sense if Eze comes in. Not many minutes available for Devine in a crowded midfield.

 

[Cochise]

Disappointing but makes sense if Eze comes in. Not many minutes available for Devine in a crowded midfield.

I agree. Although Eze coming in seems like a massive IF at this point (too quiet and City links).

 

[$hoguN]

Would not be surprised to see him out on loan again

That would be disappointing. Feels like we need to give the lad a chance

 

[mill]

That would be disappointing. Feels like we need to give the lad a chance

While I want to see all our kids get chances with the first team tbh we’re overloaded with cm’s at the same age so at least one will need to be loaned to get sufficient game time in order to develop.

 

[Coolpudge]

While I want to see all our kids get chances with the first team tbh we’re overloaded with cm’s at the same age so at least one will need to be loaned to get sufficient game time in order to develop.

I agree. Maybe because he went on loan last season but I think Devine stays this season and Donley is the one who goes out on loan this season. Assuming it’s only one of them that goes.

I think they’re both good enough to be in our squad this season and it depends on the level of the club they go but in the long term I think they would benefit more from playing regular first team football for a season.

 

[Danny1]

We have an awful lot of players in that central position at the minute, especially if we bring Eze in.

Bissouma / Gray / Skipp / Sarr / Bergvall / Bentancur / Maddison/ Eze.

Coming through the ranks are Abbott, Hall, Devine and Donley who all play that central role. Devine is the oldest of the lot and is still only 19 so there isn’t any need to rush him.

His development moved on well last year by playing for Plymouth so I think it could be a good idea for another loan to a better side and see him develop further.

Then Abbott and Hall to stay with the youth team and Donley to potentially go on loan too. It’s a nice problem to have with so many talented young players.

 

[joey55]

I'm really impressed with Devine, but I really don't want him around the 1st team next season. I love the loan system and unless a young player is going to get serious mins in our 1st team, then I much prefer it that they go out on loan. I think Devines future is in CM and you have to be a real unit to play there as a youngster. Gray is 6ft 2" and though younger, clearly much more physically ready. Most of the CM's we buy, with the idea they will be expected to start for us, are in their mid 20's, so I don't see why we should expect our youngsters to be any different. I'd give a player like Devine several more years before making a decision on him (unless it becomes clear one way or the other.)

I think the worst things that happened in the development of Skipp (who I still believe in) and Winks, was poor decisions regarding loans. Winks didn't get any and I think he missed out on so much development because of it. Imo he wasted two crucial seasons as a bit part player, whe he should have been playing every week on loan lower down the league system. Skippy had a great loan in the Championship at Norwich and I bet they would have happily kept him on the next season in the Premier League. But we lacked patience and kept him at the club. In the 3 seasons since his loan, he's played in total less mins than in his one season at Norwich. How is that good for his develoment? Our fans talk about Skipp like he's really average, but he should be playing for England by now imo.

I think, other than Gray, Bergvall and Moore, all our best youngsters are better off going on loan and playing as much as possible. 95% of our best ever Prem players spent their U21 careers at other clubs, so there is no reason our youngsters should be any different.

I'm probably missing someone really obvious, but I can't think of a single young player we've had, since King, who has gone on to be genuinely top class, that hadn't played at least 50 senior games for other clubs or for their country. Alli, Kane, Rose, Walker and Bale etc all played lots of senior games. Every now and again a Rooney or a King comes along and can go from academy to 1st team and we might have one with Moore. But most players seem to develop best by playing lots of games. Hence I think the likes of Devine, Donley, Lankshear and Hall etc shouldn't be sent out on loan, rather than kept around to train with the 1st team.

 

[matty74]

I'm really impressed with Devine, but I really don't want him around the 1st team next season. I love the loan system and unless a young player is going to get serious mins in our 1st team, then I much prefer it that they go out on loan. I think Devines future is in CM and you have to be a real unit to play there as a youngster. Gray is 6ft 2" and though younger, clearly much more physically ready. Most of the CM's we buy, with the idea they will be expected to start for us, are in their mid 20's, so I don't see why we should expect our youngsters to be any different. I'd give a player like Devine several more years before making a decision on him (unless it becomes clear one way or the other.)

I think the worst things that happened in the development of Skipp (who I still believe in) and Winks, was poor decisions regarding loans. Winks didn't get any and I think he missed out on so much development because of it. Imo he wasted two crucial seasons as a bit part player, whe he should have been playing every week on loan lower down the league system. Skippy had a great loan in the Championship at Norwich and I bet they would have happily kept him on the next season in the Premier League. But we lacked patience and kept him at the club. In the 3 seasons since his loan, he's played in total less mins than in his one season at Norwich. How is that good for his develoment? Our fans talk about Skipp like he's really average, but he should be playing for England by now imo.

I think, other than Gray, Bergvall and Moore, all our best youngsters are better off going on loan and playing as much as possible. 95% of our best ever Prem players spent their U21 careers at other clubs, so there is no reason our youngsters should be any different.

I'm probably missing someone really obvious, but I can't think of a single young player we've had, since King, who has gone on to be genuinely top class, that hadn't played at least 50 senior games for other clubs or for their country. Alli, Kane, Rose, Walker and Bale etc all played lots of senior games. Every now and again a Rooney or a King comes along and can go from academy to 1st team and we might have one with Moore. But most players seem to develop best by playing lots of games. Hence I think the likes of Devine, Donley, Lankshear and Hall etc shouldn't be sent out on loan, rather than kept around to train with the 1st team.

A good championship loan to a top team that challenges for play offs would be a good move for him . Someone like Norwich

 

[WiganSpur]

I'm really impressed with Devine, but I really don't want him around the 1st team next season. I love the loan system and unless a young player is going to get serious mins in our 1st team, then I much prefer it that they go out on loan. I think Devines future is in CM and you have to be a real unit to play there as a youngster. Gray is 6ft 2" and though younger, clearly much more physically ready. Most of the CM's we buy, with the idea they will be expected to start for us, are in their mid 20's, so I don't see why we should expect our youngsters to be any different. I'd give a player like Devine several more years before making a decision on him (unless it becomes clear one way or the other.)

I think the worst things that happened in the development of Skipp (who I still believe in) and Winks, was poor decisions regarding loans. Winks didn't get any and I think he missed out on so much development because of it. Imo he wasted two crucial seasons as a bit part player, whe he should have been playing every week on loan lower down the league system. Skippy had a great loan in the Championship at Norwich and I bet they would have happily kept him on the next season in the Premier League. But we lacked patience and kept him at the club. In the 3 seasons since his loan, he's played in total less mins than in his one season at Norwich. How is that good for his develoment? Our fans talk about Skipp like he's really average, but he should be playing for England by now imo.

I think, other than Gray, Bergvall and Moore, all our best youngsters are better off going on loan and playing as much as possible. 95% of our best ever Prem players spent their U21 careers at other clubs, so there is no reason our youngsters should be any different.

I'm probably missing someone really obvious, but I can't think of a single young player we've had, since King, who has gone on to be genuinely top class, that hadn't played at least 50 senior games for other clubs or for their country. Alli, Kane, Rose, Walker and Bale etc all played lots of senior games. Every now and again a Rooney or a King comes along and can go from academy to 1st team and we might have one with Moore. But most players seem to develop best by playing lots of games. Hence I think the likes of Devine, Donley, Lankshear and Hall etc shouldn't be sent out on loan, rather than kept around to train with the 1st team.

Winks was clearly talented as a kid but I always felt he was a bit coddled by us. Think he would have benefitted from a couple of loans to the lower leagues. I never felt that about Skipp, that Norwich loan was super for him.

It seems bleeding obvious that Moore should stick around but personally I would keep Alfie around at least for this season and then re-assess it in the summer if he's not played enough. We are going to be playing up to 60 matches this season. The only exception i'd give to that is if there was Premier League interest in him as that would do him the world of good.

I think Donley is perhaps the one who could benefit from a loan to the Championship.

 

[vegassd]

I'm really impressed with Devine, but I really don't want him around the 1st team next season. I love the loan system and unless a young player is going to get serious mins in our 1st team, then I much prefer it that they go out on loan. I think Devines future is in CM and you have to be a real unit to play there as a youngster.

I agree, although I think the fly in the ointment is that we do sacrifice a bit of control. It's great to think he slots in to a team at the top of the Championship, but like you say there is a physical element to the game, and if the loan manager decides to favour a more rough and tumble style CM over Alfie as their season unfolds, it can end up being a lose-lose situation.

This pre-season has been the first where I personally have felt that Alfie could have what it takes at the top level. In years past I've had the impression that he is a bit too lightweight - totally understandable of course due to his age - and there wasn't enough to compensate for that. But he continues to improve his game.

The only way Alfie would get decent minutes with us this season is probably if Bergvall went out on loan, and I can't see that happening. So him getting not just a loan, but a loan to a club that suits him will hopefully keep his development ongoing.

 

[mark87]

 

[BorjeSpurs]

If it's League 1, I'd honestly rather keep him here and look to give him minutes in the League Cup and Europa League (a minimum of 9 games before the end of Jan window) and then find him a Championship loan over the winter.