[cite]Posted By: Henry Irving[/cite]Solly appears to have both the aggression and the positional sense although he may be the exception that proves the rule.
Agree I think Solly may have it, shame he got injured at the same time he'd have got a few starts. Also would have done him good to go out on loan, but because he's now (well, when fit he was) second choice right back that couldn't happen.
All the young players that have won pro contracts are the ones that have worked hard for it, maybe they lack a bit of aggression and a physical side, but they have to have some determination to an extent to even win a contract. Wagstaff for example you can see he tries, but he's neither physical or aggressive (though as a winger they're hardly the important areas of his game). He also appeared to struggle with confidence last season, and that can make a player working hard look worse than he really is.
I get the impression McGinty who went to Man Utd has that mixture of drive, a physical presence and positional sense, but then that's why Man Utd were after him and not the other young players here.
[cite]Posted By: Scoham[/cite]
I get the impression McGinty who went to Man Utd has that mixture of drive, a physical presence and positional sense, but then that's why Man Utd were after him and not the other young players here.
With Shelvey I mainly meant a player so well balanced, but not blazing in pace needs to be inside to go out. Not hugging the touch line, unless the full back is under severe pressure. Slower players need to be tight centrally, and looking to go out or drift defend. To not have been made aware of that from a young age, or indeed moved around to learn positions seems like they've relied too much on his outstanding natural talent.
it's worth noting that there is long term injury risks associated with trying to build the strength/bulk of youngster. Essentially the stress on still growing bones can cause problems with bones not growing properly. If players do not naturally have a large build then this are limits to what you can do to improve things until they are into the very late teens and early twenties. That shouldn't deflect from the need to work with the limits of safety on the young players strength and also the competitiveness.
I am sure if you look at the vast majority of 16-18 players coming into first team action around the leagues you will find a lot of players that look physically out of their depth. Players like rooney and to a lesser extent Agbonlahor are exceptions to this, in that they were physically ready to compete with far more mature players at a young age.
With Shelvey I mainly meant a player so well balanced, but not blazing in pace needs to be inside to go out. Not hugging the touch line, unless the full back is under severe pressure. Slower players need to be tight centrally, and looking to go out or drift defend. To not have been made aware of that from a young age, or indeed moved around to learn positions seems like they've relied too much on his outstanding natural talent.
Yeah he is, though he might have been born in England or be half English, not sure.
Fair point, I know what you mean, but to be fair it was his first game (in the first team at least), I think if he played there a few more games he'd get more comfortable and used to the position.
McGinty isn't Irish, hes mum or dad isn't Irish either. I believe it goes a way back to great Grandad etc. England youth didn't show a sniff to him and when he singed for United they suddenly wanted him to come down with the squad.
Pretty much any football related television work, you can be sure Andy Ansah is involved somewhere. Got a bit of a monopoly on the football TV market.
A mate I know worked as an extra on a few of the adverts for Nike and Adidas, and I went up to the Emirates to watch them filming, and Andy was there. Caught a few words with him, personally I don't remember him playing but seemed a nice guy. Also refereed his son, nothing too memorable other than his name though tbh......
But going back to topic...I thought Cousins looked good when I've seen him play. Let's not rush him or build him too soon though. So often young players are built up and don't live up to the hype. Just like with Jonjo, he's still got much to learn, let's not expect him to be the next Gerrard at age 16...
[cite]Posted By: allez les addicks[/cite]But going back to topic...I thought Cousins looked good when I've seen him play. Let's not rush him or build him too soon though. So often young players are built up and don't live up to the hype. Just like with Jonjo, he's still got much to learn, let's not expect him to be the next Gerrard at age 16...
Even more so considering no one is probably completely sure about his best position. Played central midfield, centre back and right back for England, centre back for us in the youth cup (and probably right back & central midfield in other u18 games).
In fact that's probably still the case for Basey now, and most of the other young players have played in 2 or 3 positions.
If I remember right Gerrard came into the Liverpool side intermittently at 18 & 19. When he came in he was seen as more of a defensive midfielder, and was a nutter for tackles. He looked lithe and physically immature, but didn't yield to anyone. Middlesborough seem to pack their youth academy with competent players but also very driven players. I'd just like to see more of this character trait. Maybe it's because of the area we're in, whereby it's not in our local character. Who knows? However other clubs achieve it through a variety of means.
I disagree with young players attempting to bulk up in their teens. I was mainly talking about fitness and weight issues. Taking differences of body type into account, youth players like Basey and Elliott shouldn't really be carrying obvious excess weight when the academy has unprecedented access to them from a young age.
[cite]Posted By: ColinTat[/cite]Taking differences of body type into account, youth players like Basey and Elliott shouldn't really be carrying obvious excess weight when the academy has unprecedented access to them from a young age.
Not saying it's right, but to be fair Elliot didn't join us until he was 16/17, and they did say he lost some weight in the summer.
Middlesbrough have done very well, even if the players don't make the first team, there's plenty about in the Football League.
Cousins is playing for England U16s tonight v Belgium. Not 16 for another month, saw him play for the U18s on Saturday and certainly looks our best prospect coming though.
Played centre half and reads the game fantastically for his age.
Cousins is playing for England U16s tonight v Belgium. Not 16 for another month, saw him play for the U18s on Saturday and certainly looks our best prospect coming though.
Played centre half and reads the game fantastically for his age.
Cousins is playing for England U16s tonight v Belgium. Not 16 for another month, saw him play for the U18s on Saturday and certainly looks our best prospect coming though.
Played centre half and reads the game fantastically for his age.
I watched the Victory Shield games on Sky (where he captained England), have to agree he's an intelligent and composed player for his age, a good prospect. Not sure he has a best position yet, can play CB, RB and CM.
Comments
All the young players that have won pro contracts are the ones that have worked hard for it, maybe they lack a bit of aggression and a physical side, but they have to have some determination to an extent to even win a contract. Wagstaff for example you can see he tries, but he's neither physical or aggressive (though as a winger they're hardly the important areas of his game). He also appeared to struggle with confidence last season, and that can make a player working hard look worse than he really is.
I get the impression McGinty who went to Man Utd has that mixture of drive, a physical presence and positional sense, but then that's why Man Utd were after him and not the other young players here.
Good observation, Sco.
With Shelvey I mainly meant a player so well balanced, but not blazing in pace needs to be inside to go out. Not hugging the touch line, unless the full back is under severe pressure. Slower players need to be tight centrally, and looking to go out or drift defend. To not have been made aware of that from a young age, or indeed moved around to learn positions seems like they've relied too much on his outstanding natural talent.
I am sure if you look at the vast majority of 16-18 players coming into first team action around the leagues you will find a lot of players that look physically out of their depth. Players like rooney and to a lesser extent Agbonlahor are exceptions to this, in that they were physically ready to compete with far more mature players at a young age.
Fair point, I know what you mean, but to be fair it was his first game (in the first team at least), I think if he played there a few more games he'd get more comfortable and used to the position.
As I said before had Mooney's arse been a bit smaller we wouldn't be having this conversation as all real or imagined shortcomings would be forgotten
:-)
He even dived into the box and conned a penalty out of our old loony mate Kelvin Morton.
Saw him at the training ground last year. . . not my cup of tea to say the least.
A mate I know worked as an extra on a few of the adverts for Nike and Adidas, and I went up to the Emirates to watch them filming, and Andy was there. Caught a few words with him, personally I don't remember him playing but seemed a nice guy. Also refereed his son, nothing too memorable other than his name though tbh......
;o)
In fact that's probably still the case for Basey now, and most of the other young players have played in 2 or 3 positions.
I disagree with young players attempting to bulk up in their teens. I was mainly talking about fitness and weight issues. Taking differences of body type into account, youth players like Basey and Elliott shouldn't really be carrying obvious excess weight when the academy has unprecedented access to them from a young age.
Middlesbrough have done very well, even if the players don't make the first team, there's plenty about in the Football League.
Cousins is playing for England U16s tonight v Belgium. Not 16 for another month, saw him play for the U18s on Saturday and certainly looks our best prospect coming though.
Played centre half and reads the game fantastically for his age.
Is it on TV?
They drew 1-1, with Andy Ansah's son showing good teckers to net an equaliser
'Tekkers'
Keep it real.
They rather annoyingly say this all the time on Soccer AM.
When Ray Winstone was on they said "tekkers" to him and he said "What?". They sheepishly had to explain that is was short for technique.
Good on Ray for being a proper football fan and not buying into this Sky Sport/Soccer AM language.
The kids have been saying "tekkers" for ages ;o) Sky just caught on late and have jumped on it!
Seems a real try-hard of a programme.
Agree.