The All New Spurs U21, U18 & Other Youth News Thread

Totally bossed the first 26 min, Utd incredibly lucky to be level thanks to a very good free kick, although we haven't actually created much. Our work, approach play and pass and move is very good to watch.

First half done, that was so one sided in terms of football being played, we just struggled to create. Walkes at LB is a strange one, we could really do with some width that side and a proper overlapping FB like Ogilvie, also KWP is very involved but could maybe have hugged the touch line a bit better and offered better width on the right, especially baring in mind the lack of width on the left.

I like the look of Stylianides, he's a busy ****, but dynamic, technically good and can move with the ball too and Amos is doing OK too (not seen too much of him prior). Every time I see Onomah I think the same, you can see he has talent, but there are times when you just want him to show a bit more urgency or tempo to what he does. There's definitely something about Azzaoui, it's not just you can see he has talent, it's that he seems to have the right character, that hunger, tenacity and confidence, bit of impudence. Haven't seen much of Harrison.

OK, finished the 90 min of the ManU Cup game.

Just totally outplayed them. Really, really impressive performance. Got to give massive credit to our coaches, that was such a slick performance. I remember watching the FA Youth Cup game a few years back (Redknapp's time) when we played Arsenal (with Mason and Caulker) and the chasm in quality in how the teams were coached was visibly vast. I remember being very jealous, wishing our kids were learning similar lessons.

Well that was like the reverse tonight in many ways, although that ManU side clearly work hard and are decent enough, we just work harder, work smarter, move better, without the ball that was better than many EPL first teams, with the ball you can see the philosophy at work, it just falls down occasionally with young kids making individual decisions and execution errors at critical times, but there was also some wonderfully composed and mature stuff too and plenty of talent.

You can see how they have been tactically taught, FB's bomb on, CM's fill in, shape shifts over. CM bombs on, AM drops in etc etc. When they press they press cohesively so nobody gets left stranded.

Whenever I watch our development teams it's invariably this very evident quality of coaching that shines through and tickles my cockles more than the individuals, which is saying something because we've always got some talented individuals on show, but I just love they way we are teaching these kids how to be part of a team, making the years of training far more likely to yield a better footballer with a greater chance of becoming part of our/a team.

There really wasn't a weak link out there. But I don't get why Walkes is being played everywhere but CM ?I really like the look of him, his tenacious but has oodles of class on the ball. Maybe he doesn't zip it about quick enough for our style or something but I don't think he should be playing in the defence and especially not LB, I'd like to see him played alongside Stylianides or maybe in the middle of a CM3.

Every time I watch Onomah he frustrates me a little. So much talent, and he's not afraid to work for the team without the ball, but there are times when I wish he'd be more demonstrative, get hold of the game and influence it more. I've only seen him in about 6 or 7 full games, but everyone has been a bit like that.

KWP was lively as ever, would like to have seen him hug right and get in behind more. Stylianides I like, quietly goes about his job, tenacious, good energy and can play a bit too.

Azzaoui continues to look like a classy little fucker, that boys definitely got a future. Lovely goal. Edwards looks a real bag of tricks too.

Very, very impressed with Maghoma and CCV. Fuck off buying Reid when we have these two coming through. Amos looked neat and tidy and also had a good game.

Georgiou showed bursts of pace and skill and also scored a good goal. Harrison was a bit quiet but I've seen enough of him to know he's talented kid.

I thought Sterling showed up Harrison in the game when he came on, but I'm not sure how much that had to do with Sterling coming on against tired legs.

That was the first I saw of Sterling though and I liked what I saw, looked lively, athletic and fully capable of making his own chances.

Bus-Conductor said:

Walkes at LB is a strange one, we could really do with some width that side and a proper overlapping FB like Ogilvie,

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I believe we played Walkes at LB due to the fact he is strong and one of our most experienced players and they wanted that for this game. He has played LB quite a few times mainly last year. However the other option would have been to play Muscatt who has been playing LB more regularly for us. He likes go get forward and makes overlapping and underlappinhn runs with Azzaoui and they have built up a decent understanding. However as he isn't as good as KWP I think they may have thought he'd be the weak link. Though I do like Muscatt. I'm not sure if you know as you mentioned him, but Ogilvie is too old for this.

Bus-Conductor said:

There really wasn't a weak link out there. But I don't get why Walkes is being played everywhere but CM ?I really like the look of him, his tenacious but has oodles of class on the ball. Maybe he doesn't zip it about quick enough for our style or something but I don't think he should be playing in the defence and especially not LB, I'd like to see him played alongside Stylianides or maybe in the middle of a CM3.

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I think this is for various reasons. Firstly the coached really rate Walked I believe and last year with our midfield as good as it was there was no where for him to play. They probably looked at his side and that he was decent on the ball and started working him in at LB rotating with Ogilvie.

Secondly this season now with CCV either playing for u21s or USA we have missed one of our best CBs. we have about 3 DMs or players that sit excluding Walkes and at the time only had one CB who could play (JT) howver he was still developing in u16s. Therefore CB was the best and only place for him to fit him. The need for his size and experience was more urgently needed as then Maghoma got injured and we were playing 3 natural DMs (including him) across the back four or drafting Tanganga in.

Though I have criticised him quite a bit I do actually think he is decent on the ball and accept he is a developing CB however my main issue of him is he has too many Kaboul moments. He always seems like he thinks he is better than he I'd probably as he is decent on the ball and can be a decent pass so makes so many lazy passes and regularly gets us caught out as a result. Combined with his learning of a new position he can get exposed quite a bit and it can be frustrating to watch Howver he has put in some decent performances recently and his ability on the ball, tenacity plus physique (size and speed) make him a decent and potentially good CB. However as you have noticed with CCV and Maghoma there I doubt he will make it for us there especially as he is older than them.

Will he make it in DM like you suggest I doubt it again. He could potentially make a good one but he hasn't played there in ages, and you like Stylianides, Amos had been playing well and I really like Owens. He also wouldn't get moved there as we would be a CB short again and none of those would be as able as him. I believe he is 18 and Veljkovic is 19 and MV should be playing now and Walked is nowhere near so I think he'd struggle to find a route into the first team that way but we will see

Sweech said:

I thought Sterling showed up Harrison in the game when he came on, but I'm not sure how much that had to do with Sterling coming on against tired legs.

That was the first I saw of Sterling though and I liked what I saw, looked lively, athletic and fully capable of making his own chances.

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Sterling has looked really good when he came on. They are different players and I just think that was a game Harrison struggled to get in. He has been scoring well for us Harrison and has shown more than Sterling so far. I want to give Sterling a start up front to really see howbue gets on but he does seem able to create his own chances. I think he needs to develop like a trademark trick or something to shake off or gain a yard when the defender is tight to get off a shot.

IGSpur said:

I believe we played Walkes at LB due to the fact he is strong and one of our most experienced players and they wanted that for this game. He has played LB quite a few times mainly last year. However the other option would have been to play Muscatt who has been playing LB more regularly for us. He likes go get forward and makes overlapping and underlappinhn runs with Azzaoui and they have built up a decent understanding. However as he isn't as good as KWP I think they may have thought he'd be the weak link. Though I do like Muscatt. I'm not sure if you know as you mentioned him, but Ogilvie is too old for this.



I think this is for various reasons. Firstly the coached really rate Walked I believe and last year with our midfield as good as it was there was no where for him to play. They probably looked at his side and that he was decent on the ball and started working him in at LB rotating with Ogilvie.

Secondly this season now with CCV either playing for u21s or USA we have missed one of our best CBs. we have about 3 DMs or players that sit excluding Walkes and at the time only had one CB who could play (JT) howver he was still developing in u16s. Therefore CB was the best and only place for him to fit him. The need for his size and experience was more urgently needed as then Maghoma got injured and we were playing 3 natural DMs (including him) across the back four or drafting Tanganga in.

Though I have criticised him quite a bit I do actually think he is decent on the ball and accept he is a developing CB however my main issue of him is he has too many Kaboul moments. He always seems like he thinks he is better than he I'd probably as he is decent on the ball and can be a decent pass so makes so many lazy passes and regularly gets us caught out as a result. Combined with his learning of a new position he can get exposed quite a bit and it can be frustrating to watch Howver he has put in some decent performances recently and his ability on the ball, tenacity plus physique (size and speed) make him a decent and potentially good CB. However as you have noticed with CCV and Maghoma there I doubt he will make it for us there especially as he is older than them.

Will he make it in DM like you suggest I doubt it again. He could potentially make a good one but he hasn't played there in ages, and you like Stylianides, Amos had been playing well and I really like Owens. He also wouldn't get moved there as we would be a CB short again and none of those would be as able as him. I believe he is 18 and Veljkovic is 19 and MV should be playing now and Walked is nowhere near so I think he'd struggle to find a route into the first team that way but we will see

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Walkes appears to be the player they look to when it comes to organising the defensive side of the team out on the pitch. He played a lot last season in midfield even though he was a 1st year in the Academy. He's a big, strong lad and even when he's made mistakes, they keep using that experience to help the younger players, so it's a matter of fitting him in in CD or at LB. He's in CD today against Reading, alongside Maghoma.

As you say he has too many 'Kaboul' moments, giving the ball away when playing it out of defence but recently has shown greater consistency with fewer mistakes.

tonyc said:

y MOM though was our # 4 which I gather was Luke Amos: won everything it seemed and was everywhere in the 2nd half. Brilliant stuff and my pal with me late on then started to comment on the # 4 winning everything. Great performance I thought.

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It's quite interesting how I thought the same when I was there that Amos was everywhere. However even when I watched the recorded match Stylianides looked better, as most said. Strange how perspective can influence your decision. Didn't even notice Stylianides there.

tonyc said:

Also, and I don't know him and it was my first time of seeing him play, but to me Marcus seemed not quite 'connected' to the other lads, he seemed a little distant.

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I wouldn't 've worried about this. I think that'd just how he is. He clearly gets on well with the other u16 players as they were having a laugh when they warmed up. Some people just like to be alone. He even did an interview saying he is only happy when he is playing football.

wlhatwhl said:

Walkes appears to be the player they look to when it comes to organising the defensive side of the team out on the pitch. He played a lot last season in midfield even though he was a 1st year in the Academy.

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I definitely think CCV is more of the organiser than Walkes. He always seems to be shouting and you can really hear him when you are there. Plus he has more experience at CB and has already captained the u21s. Also I'd imagine Maghoma is more senior at CB. Walkes will organise and take the lead when neither are there.

Spurs U18s (v Reading): Glover, Paul, Muscatt, Amos, Maghoma, Walkes, Ross, Stylianides, Loft, Azzaoui, Harrison #COYS

Glover
Paul, Maghoma, Walkes, Muscatt
Amos, Stylianides
Ross, Harrison, Azzaoui
Loft

Also George Marsh u16 on bench. Let's hope he gets a run out. 1 nil down

Tottenham Hotspur‏@SpursOfficial
U18s HT: Reading 2-0 Spurs - Walkes and Muscatt forced into goal-line clearances after hosts' second goal. Work to do after break #COYS

Tottenham Hotspur‏@SpursOfficial
U18s: GOAL! Harrison swings the ball in from the left, it sails over the keeper and Ross scores at the back post. 3-1, 54mins #COYS

FT 3-1 loss.

Conceded twice in opening 15 minutes.

Brandon Austin (GK) and George Marsh (DM) on u18 bench for the first time

Bus-Conductor said:

Very, very impressed with Maghoma and CCV. Fuck off buying Reid when we have these two coming through. Amos looked neat and tidy and also had a good game.

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Thought Reid was a free? Plus the FUTS factor...jobsaGoodun

Chris Miller (Windy) tweeted earlier :
Luongo confirms #Spurs have a buy-back clause: “They could buy me for what they sold me for." Surprised we didn't in Jan with that in mind.

Short term that could have been a very good idea - Luongo was certainly a standout player in the Asian cup. But not sure how we regard him longer term versus the likes of Winks, Onomah et al

StartingPrice said:

Thought Reid was a free? Plus the FUTS factor...jobsaGoodun

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The term 'free' can be misleading. Big sign on fee and higher that usiual wages are often what happens

Spursidol said:

Chris Miller (Windy) tweeted earlier :
Luongo confirms #Spurs have a buy-back clause: “They could buy me for what they sold me for." Surprised we didn't in Jan with that in mind.

Short term that could have been a very good idea - Luongo was certainly a standout player in the Asian cup. But not sure how we regard him longer term versus the likes of Winks, Onomah et al

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Doesn't surprise me...always thought it was a possibility.

If he was let go in the first place because of who was ahead and who was behind him, the way Bentaleb and Mason have stepped up to the plate would hardly help his cause. If we kept Stambouli and excluded Dembélé from the list as it looks like he will be playing further up-field for the foreseeable but got rid of the rest, he could make a fourth midfield option until we see which of those behind him can break through. It would be a bit inexperienced. And I'm not sure he would want to come back to what would probably be a bench role and may be only short term (depending on whether there are any break-through players from younger age group).

That said, I always liked him - think he has quality.

Spursidol said:

Chris Miller (Windy) tweeted earlier :
Luongo confirms #Spurs have a buy-back clause: “They could buy me for what they sold me for." Surprised we didn't in Jan with that in mind.

Short term that could have been a very good idea - Luongo was certainly a standout player in the Asian cup. But not sure how we regard him longer term versus the likes of Winks, Onomah et al

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Does such a clause have a date by which it must be activated? It would be great if he could stay with the team if they manage to get promoted to the Championship. We would have a better idea of what kind of player we have on our hands and it would give us more time to shift out the players that aren't in the plans anymore.

npearl4spurs said:

Does such a clause have a date by which it must be activated? It would be great if he could stay with the team if they manage to get promoted to the Championship. We would have a better idea of what kind of player we have on our hands and it would give us more time to shift out the players that aren't in the plans anymore.

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Depends on how the clause was written - but likely to be valid foir as long as he is at Swindon.

IMO he'd boss the Championship sides, and indeed lower PL sides, so no point in waiting to get him back if we wanted him - our need for him is really this season ( he would be ideal to give Mason or Bentaleb a rest) or as an alternative next season as I think we will need to buy or loan in one CM next season whilst we develop Winks or Onomah.

However Luongo is not proven at higher levels at PL (or indeed lower PL) so would be a risk to bring back for next season - arguanbly we would want a more experienced alternative. But if one was not available we could do a lot worse than Luongo who would fit in without any delays.

Spursidol said:

The term 'free' can be misleading. Big sign on fee and higher that usiual wages are often what happens

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Yes, I know

BC didn't say: Why bother acquiring Reid, what with the incremental costs associated with even a free transfer.
He said: Fuck off buying Reid...

He may have meant the former, he said the latter and it doesn't read ambiguously

Spursidol said:

Depends on how the clause was written - but likely to be valid foir as long as he is at Swindon.

IMO he'd boss the Championship sides, and indeed lower PL sides, so no point in waiting to get him back if we wanted him - our need for him is really this season ( he would be ideal to give Mason or Bentaleb a rest) or as an alternative next season as I think we will need to buy or loan in one CM next season whilst we develop Winks or Onomah.

However Luongo is not proven at higher levels at PL (or indeed lower PL) so would be a risk to bring back for next season - arguanbly we would want a more experienced alternative. But if one was not available we could do a lot worse than Luongo who would fit in without any delays.

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Good to hear. I did learn that he had had a loan at Ipswich and did well there. I guess we could loan him to a promoted PL side next season if we needed to, but you are right in that he would be settled here and would do fine.
We would most definitely need to move Paulinho and Capoue on if we bring back Pritchard, bring in Alli, and potentially add Luongo.

StartingPrice said:

Yes, I know

BC didn't say: Why bother acquiring Reid, what with the incremental costs associated with even a free transfer.
He said: Fuck off buying Reid...

He may have meant the former, he said the latter and it doesn't read ambiguously

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I had forgotten he was on a free, but there is no such thing as free anyway, as @Spursidol points out, less fee inevitably means bigger sign on an much bigger wages. More to the point, I don't want any more average footballers blocking the conveyor belt for our own development players. If they turn out to be average, that's fine, but it will be much economically viable for them to be turn out average than for players we have to pay fees/big wages to be average.