I've not seen him play but reports seem positive. Good he's prepared to commit for a few more years, hopefully the current shower will have gone soon and he can achieve his potential with us.
My impressions of George Lapslie are pretty positive ones.
He is young, he is inexperienced in mens football, but everybody has to start somewhere and he has potential.
His playing style is pretty much the run all day forward lying midfielder. His decision making is good and he has a decent understanding of the game. Good ball control, and quick thinking, he can nick a goal or two, but he does not look for that as his first option unless it's obviously on. Pretty tenacious in the challenge and a willing worker, his age and size make me think he still has to develop some more to hold his own over a consistent period in mens football.
George seems to enjoy the confidence and respect of his team mates, and he is a good leader at this level. He is able to be aware of the wider picture because his personal game is pretty assured, and I think he has a generous nature with his team mates, my impression is of an all round good guy.
Posters such as dickplum and bolloxbolder will be able to give a more knowledgeable description, but as a midfielder Lapslie is in the waspish, energetic mold rather than the languid genius mold, he is the sort of footballer found in every team.
It would be a shame if he is not managed well. I don't think players such as Piggott, Harriott, THD, KAG, Kennedy and RCC have been nurtured and brought on as they ought to have been (there are others too). It is all well and good looking to the academy, but young player development ought to be meshed into the U18's, the U21's and also the first team with great care, absolutely not as desperate measures like Lennon because there is no cover, or Lookman who was basically expected to save Charlton last season.
In regards to the amount of Midfield roles there are these days, would you say he was like the following;
Jordan Cousins; in the sense that he'll run all day from box to box Diego Poyet; in the sense that he'll sit in front of the back four picking out the passes to start attacks Astrit Ajdarevic; Playing further up the pitch yet being instrumental for our creativity etc.
In regards to the amount of Midfield roles there are these days, would you say he was like the following;
Jordan Cousins; in the sense that he'll run all day from box to box Diego Poyet; in the sense that he'll sit in front of the back four picking out the passes to start attacks Astrit Ajdarevic; Playing further up the pitch yet being instrumental for our creativity etc.
Of those three he is more like Cousins, but not the greatest comparison because Cousins is so much more developed, and to think George is a ready made replacement for Cousins to slot in would be a mistake. For me George and Jordan both think like footballers if you get my drift, and play accordingly, both very good team men and the kind of player needed to knit a team together.
Good news, have heard and read good things about him. Lucky chap, a professional football contract, it is what most of us would have one day dreamed of. I doubt he cares too much about the wider politics more a) how much he will be paid, b) what his coaching and facilties are like, c) what are his chances of getting in the first team.
In regards to the amount of Midfield roles there are these days, would you say he was like the following;
Jordan Cousins; in the sense that he'll run all day from box to box Diego Poyet; in the sense that he'll sit in front of the back four picking out the passes to start attacks Astrit Ajdarevic; Playing further up the pitch yet being instrumental for our creativity etc.
I watched most of the u18s stream the other night, they played a diamond midfield (which they generally have all season as far as I know). Lapslie was one of the two in the middle.
I'd agree Lapslie is more like Cousins but from the few games I've seen of Lapslie he's smaller, not as strong but perhaps a bit more technical and more likely to get a goal.
Of the other midfielders Bone was much more like Poyet. Played as the DM, talls and looks fairly strong, like Poyet he's not the quickest, likes to spray the ball about, tries the longer range passes. I hope we'll hear news of him signing a pro deal soon as well.
The more and more youngsters signing pro deals or "long term deals" suggests the limited transfer activity we will see this summer IMO... Recon it will be heavily reliant on the youngsters
It would be a shame if he is not managed well. I don't think players such as Piggott, Harriott, THD, KAG, Kennedy and RCC have been nurtured and brought on as they ought to have been (there are others too). It is all well and good looking to the academy, but young player development ought to be meshed into the U18's, the U21's and also the first team with great care, absolutely not as desperate measures like Lennon because there is no cover, or Lookman who was basically expected to save Charlton last season.
It's always the thing with young players though, when DO you blood them? Usually, it's due to desperation, sometimes they sink and and sometimes they float. If Man U had spent their money wiser, and had a couple of top quality strikers, would Rashford (18) have got a chance? Similarly Iheanacho (19) at City.
Lennon is 21 now, so at the age when he ought to be knocking on the door of the first team, while Lookman was doing so well for the U21s that it became impossible to leave him out.
I agree that many of the others were pushed into first team duty too soon, but in the case of Piggott you suspect that he's found his genuine level now.
There needs to be a balance which is somewhere between Pardew's oversized 07/08 Championship squad and Roland's undersized squads of the last two years.
Very impressed with what I have seen of him. Still plays for U18's but comfortable for U 21's where I would expect him to stay next year. Great potential but won't be ready for first team next year. Reminded me of an early Scott Parker type than a Cousins - as a Charlton player before he became a more of a holding player
The more and more youngsters signing pro deals or "long term deals" suggests the limited transfer activity we will see this summer IMO... Recon it will be heavily reliant on the youngsters
Comments
Hope it won't be a case of another one exploited and set back.
So, with no manager, no chief scout etc. etc. you know the drill... Who is making the decision to sign academy players on 3 year contracts?
A decent sounding player, though with his hair he's always going to stand out on the pitch, just like Barnsley Boris always used to.
Isnt Tom Lapslie (Colchester) his Brother?
He is young, he is inexperienced in mens football, but everybody has to start somewhere and he has potential.
His playing style is pretty much the run all day forward lying midfielder. His decision making is good and he has a decent understanding of the game. Good ball control, and quick thinking, he can nick a goal or two, but he does not look for that as his first option unless it's obviously on.
Pretty tenacious in the challenge and a willing worker, his age and size make me think he still has to develop some more to hold his own over a consistent period in mens football.
George seems to enjoy the confidence and respect of his team mates, and he is a good leader at this level. He is able to be aware of the wider picture because his personal game is pretty assured, and I think he has a generous nature with his team mates, my impression is of an all round good guy.
Posters such as dickplum and bolloxbolder will be able to give a more knowledgeable description, but as a midfielder Lapslie is in the waspish, energetic mold rather than the languid genius mold, he is the sort of footballer found in every team.
It would be a shame if he is not managed well. I don't think players such as Piggott, Harriott, THD, KAG, Kennedy and RCC have been nurtured and brought on as they ought to have been (there are others too). It is all well and good looking to the academy, but young player development ought to be meshed into the U18's, the U21's and also the first team with great care, absolutely not as desperate measures like Lennon because there is no cover, or Lookman who was basically expected to save Charlton last season.
Jordan Cousins; in the sense that he'll run all day from box to box
Diego Poyet; in the sense that he'll sit in front of the back four picking out the passes to start attacks
Astrit Ajdarevic; Playing further up the pitch yet being instrumental for our creativity etc.
;- )
For me George and Jordan both think like footballers if you get my drift, and play accordingly, both very good team men and the kind of player needed to knit a team together.
I'd agree Lapslie is more like Cousins but from the few games I've seen of Lapslie he's smaller, not as strong but perhaps a bit more technical and more likely to get a goal.
Of the other midfielders Bone was much more like Poyet. Played as the DM, talls and looks fairly strong, like Poyet he's not the quickest, likes to spray the ball about, tries the longer range passes. I hope we'll hear news of him signing a pro deal soon as well.
Recon it will be heavily reliant on the youngsters
Lennon is 21 now, so at the age when he ought to be knocking on the door of the first team, while Lookman was doing so well for the U21s that it became impossible to leave him out.
I agree that many of the others were pushed into first team duty too soon, but in the case of Piggott you suspect that he's found his genuine level now.
Reminded me of an early Scott Parker type than a Cousins - as a Charlton player before he became a more of a holding player
Well behind Regan Charles Cook in the midfield pecking order at this stage imo.