Spurs Youth Thread 23/24

[Trix]

Paskotsi certainly, and yes Bowden were among those missing a big chunk of last season. Mathurin had had a terrible injury the previous season but was mostly available for selection. I was disappointed not to see more of him, but get that Mundle and Santiago were maybe seen as the better prospects.

But I just don’t buy that the sea change in performance at U21 is all about improved recruitment. Most of those who have featured this season were also available at least some of the time last season, and those who are no longer available, such as White, Mundle and Devine weren’t dragging us down.

One purely footballing factor that maybe didn’t help us the last couple of seasons was that in the absence of Parrott, Scarlett and Etete we lacked a focal point in attack. A lot of the time we were using a false nine. Lankshear and Soonsup-Bell were maybe brought into address that deficiency but promptly got injured, while I thought Donley at that age struggled to make the step up in that position. For me at least he has been a revelation playing as a 10.

I have no idea why you are focussing solely on recruitment when I said this in my original post ........."FP changed so much behind the scenes as far as recruitment, coaching and retaining our better players that often used to choose to go elsewhere at the first opportunity".

You also need to factor in that those players you've mentioned as available last season were a year younger, a year less experienced, and are now a year on with their training. You also need to take into account that opposition players that were a year older, a year more experienced and a year further on in their training have moved out of that age group. Youth football at u18 and u21 is very different to any other age group in how the sides change from season to season because of these factors.

 

[C0YS]

Anyone who watch this guy regularly reckon he’s a genuine generational talent? Or is that clip flattering?

Lots of kids at that level dribble well. Not necessarily a sign that they will make it to the top.

His decision making and even shooting hardly flatters him in this video either. We will see. Good luck to him.

 

[Trix]

I'd suggest anyone wanting to know what has been going on and what changes have been happening should watch this. It's on the money.

 

[luRRka]

Devine listed as assisting for Port Vale, only got text commentary though so it might be a Tom Carroll to Bale assist or it might be great

Complete Tom Carroll

Video - 519df4da

Video was uploaded to Streamin.me on Sep 27, 2023.

streamin.me

But he created a lot of other chances going by the stats

 

[dovahkiin]

 

[Dakes]

Silky smooth, throw him on the bench against Dippers

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

That kid has some skills! Lets hope he continues to progress.

 

[eddiebailey]

I have no idea why you are focussing solely on recruitment when I said this in my original post ........."FP changed so much behind the scenes as far as recruitment, coaching and retaining our better players that often used to choose to go elsewhere at the first opportunity".

You also need to factor in that those players you've mentioned as available last season were a year younger, a year less experienced, and are now a year on with their training. You also need to take into account that opposition players that were a year older, a year more experienced and a year further on in their training have moved out of that age group. Youth football at u18 and u21 is very different to any other age group in how the sides change from season to season because of these factors.

That’s true, but it was quite an experienced and not untalented side last season. I agree though that Donley and Dorrington who were the babies of the side have come on in leaps and bounds.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Well that is interesting. Maybe we will actually see him in the first team.

 

[Spurzinho]

Just wanted to give a little shout out to Kymani Thomas. He was on trial with our U18s from Dulwich Hamlet in the 19/20 season. He seemed to be doing well but for one reason or another the move never materialised. He's been out of football for the last seven months after a horrific, career threatening broken leg. Well, he came back in style for Ashford a couple of weeks ago. Came on in the 78th minute and scored an absolute belter.

 

[nicdic]

YES LETS DO IT

 

[littlewilly]

Cover for Madders?

 

[nicdic]

Cover for Madders?

EXACTLY

 

[mark87]

Cover for Madders?

This is what I'm hoping for. Despite a promising pre-season, I'm not at all convinced by Lo Celso fitness, ability or dedication-wise.

 

[Marty]

What worries me about Donley is that if he is to step up to Maddison understudy, it must not come at the expense of regular game time at the U21s. The worst thing that can happen is a promotion that just leads to him sitting on the bench with the odd cameo here and there.

We've lost loads of good talents through them simply not getting game time to develop and kick on and it would be terrible if we did that with Donley as well.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

What worries me about Donley is that if he is to step up to Maddison understudy, it must not come at the expense of regular game time at the U21s. The worst thing that can happen is a promotion that just leads to him sitting on the bench with the odd cameo here and there.

We've lost loads of good talents through them simply not getting game time to develop and kick on and it would be terrible if we did that with Donley as well.

Totally hear this but he has been dominating U21 so far this year. He looks like he has stepped up in the number 10 role as well. When Maddison had to come off against Arsenal we put Hojbjerg on, who did nothing wrong but also isn’t exactly a like for like creative replacement. Makes a lot of sense this week with Maddison not 100% to bring Donley in and see him with the first team squad and if he impressed I don’t think Ange would be scared to use him. Doesn’t mean it’s a long term thing, especially with Gil back and GLC soon too but I like the precedent it sets…perform well with U21’s and you get a chance.

 

[leffe186]

Yeah it’s a tough balancing act. On the other hand, was watching the Sunderland game last night and they have an incredibly young squad doing well in the Championship. Feels like a loan to that level would make a lot of sense.

 

[mark87]

 

[mark87]

1-0 down.

 

[eddiebailey]

What worries me about Donley is that if he is to step up to Maddison understudy, it must not come at the expense of regular game time at the U21s. The worst thing that can happen is a promotion that just leads to him sitting on the bench with the odd cameo here and there.

We've lost loads of good talents through them simply not getting game time to develop and kick on and it would be terrible if we did that with Donley as well.

Hopefully promising youngsters will get a healthy balance of first team squad training, U21 games and loans, as tended to happen under Redknapp.