Spurs U21’s, U18’s and other youth news – 2015/16 Edition

carpediem1906 said:

Before.

They are on the way here. 8pm Singapore time

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Great! Saw the other game highlights between Liverpool and Singapore Under 16. The Singapore under 16 no. 9 ran rings around Liverpool and scored a hat trick and nearly scored a few more. Looks to be a real talent. Have good size, skills and speed.

Really should have won at the end Loft put through Sterling and Shashoua who were running alongside each other down the the right with Sterling on the inside they were debating who should finish it but Shashoua too it as he could get his right foot around it and curl round gk but hit it straight at him. Shame hit didn't fall to Sterling properly he may have bee. Able to finish similar to how he did against Chelsea in the FAYC

@IGSpur hi mate, really enjoy this thread and reading your and others views on the different players coming through the academy, tricky question but what's your honest opinion on dominic ball, do you think he has the necessary tools to progress into spurs first team if he has a successful loan at rangers?

spurfetto said:

@IGSpur hi mate, really enjoy this thread and reading your and others views on the different players coming through the academy, tricky question but what's your honest opinion on dominic ball, do you think he has the necessary tools to progress into spurs first team if he has a successful loan at rangers?

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I think he has the ability to play EL football and he developed massively over the last couple of years, but I feel he will become one of the players who suffers due to the the competition of places. He will be at a minimum a Championship CB for me. He isn't quite as good at CB as Veljkovic and I think he is probably on a level with CCV atm but CCV's potential is a lot higher, so he will eventually make way. If he does well at Rangers though and they get promoted he may stay with them and end up playing regular European football with them.

Imnotacticalgenius said:

Great! Saw the other game highlights between Liverpool and Singapore Under 16. The Singapore under 16 no. 9 ran rings around Liverpool and scored a hat trick and nearly scored a few more. Looks to be a real talent. Have good size, skills and speed.

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Is that the guy that has been playing in Chile?

Kingkanoute said:

Quite liked the look of the number 6 in the u15 highlights. I'd heard of oakley-booth and Kirby from that age group as being the one's to look out for. Maybe he's another one to watch.

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Griffiths, I'm pretty sure is an attacking RB who appeared to start out at CB in that game. Lord knows what he was doing up there but clearly showed his ability and composure around the box with a lovely finish with his left peg

Skipp really looked to stick his head in during the cornres. Kirby was motm though,

Lameiras opens his account at Coventry. Good to see.

Looked like he was playing in the midfield from the highlights. Scored one and played a vital part in the other two, pretty good if he's naturally a fb.

IGSpur said:

Is that the guy that has been playing in Chile?

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Yes he is. Son of former Singapore national team striker the legend Fandi Ahmad. From a family of good footballing pedigree.

Kingkanoute said:

Looked like he was playing in the midfield from the highlights. Scored one and played a vital part in the other two, pretty good if he's naturally a fb.

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He's naturally an attacking player. Wing or AM, last time I remembered but again good to see another player doing well.

uerian said:

Yes he is. Son of former Singapore national team striker the legend Fandi Ahmad. From a family of good footballing pedigree.

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Are you from Singapore, if so are you going to go to the game tomorrow?

TottenhamLegend said:

Lameiras opens his account at Coventry. Good to see.

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my boy armstrong has 4 in 2 for them as well, he's one to watch over the next few years.

Blake Griffin said:

my boy armstrong has 4 in 2 for them as well, he's one to watch over the next few years.

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Was going to mention him and say how England u19s looking food for the year, but last time I mentioned other teams players I got negged lol.

Good to see young talented English players doing well in the leagues.

IGSpur said:

Really should have won at the end Loft put through Sterling and Shashoua who were running alongside each other down the the right with Sterling on the inside they were debating who should finish it but Shashoua too it as he could get his right foot around it and curl round gk but hit it straight at him. Shame hit didn't fall to Sterling properly he may have bee. Able to finish similar to how he did against Chelsea in the FAYC

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Thanks for the updates. How was Edwards performance?

IGSpur said:

Are you from Singapore, if so are you going to go to the game tomorrow?

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Yes I'll be there.

uerian said:

Yes I'll be there.

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Enjoy !

If you get a chance to post a report on the match and/or a couple of lines on each players performance we'd be delighted !

Romulus said:

Thanks for the updates. How was Edwards performance?

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So, I'd been meaning to write up a report and ratings but haven't had time.

First half we didn't start like I thought we would and while we looked comfortable and dominated possession we were struggling to link up with the attackers and the attacks fell apart. 2nd half however,we dominated and I overheard a lot of complimentary but mainly begrudging comments, in that they were reluctant to praise, from the parents. West Ham picked up the performance late in the second half realising that they still can nick a win on the counter. However, we still had the best moments towards the end of the game which we failed to take. Also, there was one annoying parent who was essentially embarrassing his son, telling him what he should ahve done, and rightly so the boy was being very dismissive, telling him he had to concentrate on the game, Felt bad for the kid. Also, considering the level of football I wasn't sure about their keeper getting passed thee ball and telling everyone to go upfield before punting down to their striker. Expected better from the coaches, tells me their not wholly focusing on the development. Granted they were being outclassed but they aren't going to learn much from that. Happened about 3/4 times. The ref was quite lenient and letting a lot of challenges slide. The game was had that true derby feel and there were a lot of big challenges going in. Really impressed with our players not backing out of anything. Tbf we prob gave a more than them. Also it is really impressive the difference in class between how both teams keep teh ball. The way we pass it out of pressure in triangles is a testament to the great coaching. And the pressing was very evident todayAnyway, not going to give individual ratings as it's hard to label each performance but I'd say they were all 7-8s and you can make up who is what from what I've written.

Whiteman - Didn't have to do much but looked comfortable on the few times he was called upon. Starting position is very high up the field when we were in their half. Another thing is he looks a star, if that makes sense. You look at him and he looks like someone destined to be famous.

Paul - Had a good game i thought. Beat his man quite a lot and supported the RW very well. Received a lot of compliments about his play from around. His attacking runs generally kept their own very talented LB Neufville in his own half throughout the whole match

Marsh- I really like this kid. Don't know why. Very small at CB again and is normally a DM. Just does everything without a fuss and a great calmness about him. Their striker was Jahmal Hector-Ingram who was the main striker for Edwards England age group. Very quick and very strong, not to say he isn't talented, but Marsh...marshalled him well on the counter. Couple of times I think he was fouled which lead to JHI getting in behind but he was hard done by.

Brown - Looked very wiry next to JHI. He played well generally but got too tight a couple of tiems when the ball was knocked down field to their striker and he got rolled a couple of times but recovered well. One time their striker fouled Marsh and was attacking the goal Brown was catching up managed to slow him down and stopped a goal. His was also guiding Marsh. Loves to get forward. Went to LB towards the end of the match. He was a bit slow distributing the ball and due to being left forward and LCB he constantly missed an opporuntiy to pick out Muscatt or Bennetts who were making runs down the left. He'll learn

Muscatt - was tireless getting up and down the field for little reward. However, when he did get forward he constantly looked to drive into the box and put in some nice crosses.

Owens - Probably our MOTM. The boy looks classy and composed. The person easiest to compare him to and it will be intersting to see if others agree, is Carrick. I still believe he needs to be more expansive or take a few more risks with his passes, But his control of the ball when passing is impressive e.g. the amonut of spin he gets on it when he lays it off. Great game as our metronome, dominated West Ham. He is really influential and he doesn't seem it but I think is quite argumentative. Almost got booked for moving the ball forward for a freekick too which was quite funny. He really has grown.

Stylianides - 2nd MOTM. Still don't know what he does tbh, but whatever it is, he has convinced me, He is skillful and a tenacious bugger. Dropped a maradona on someone and involved in everything. Probably got the most praise from everyone around. He has really good feet. Can see why he has already played for the u21s and the 'first team' Thought he had a massive Kyle Walker moment. In the 2nd half we had so many players round their box. He was on the right and pinged a long ball back towards our own half right to their striker to start a counter. Don't know what he was thinking, but it came to nothing. Marsh mopped up

Edwards - This was the type of game that we show him that he isn't quite ready to just go straight into the u21s and keep him grounded. Don't get me wrong he is a master technician, but he was guilty of holding the ball for too long and maybe trying to go alone too much. His vision is exceptional and he got chipped a couple of lovely balls over the top. His freekick was excellently tipped onto the bar. Even though eh didn't have a great game you could tell he was a talent from hsi dribbling.

Bennetts - First time I've seen him live. He was victime of not being passed to enough so it is really hard to make a comment. The rare time he got the ball he would have to lay it off. Or if it had been a while he would try to force the issue as he was being starved. However, he did come into life on the edge of the box with a lovely piece of skill and I think he slipped Sterling through.

Hayford - Sadly, didn't do much. He was essentially a defensive no.10 just harrassing players and getting around. Didn't see much if anything of him on the ball considering we had it so much. Though he got an assist.

Sterling - When taking into account he was playing in the better team I'd say it was just about even between him and JHI who will be one of his competitors to make the u17 World Cup. If there were any scouts there I think they would have been satisfied. He finished excellently from an offside position and has a good shot on him. He is a real feisty character and doesn't shy from a challenge. Actually none of our players do.

Subs

Shashoua - when he came on he didn't have the impact I had hoped especially after his recent call up. I feel he should have started over Hayford as he would have been on a high but as @edson says it's fair that he gets a chance and there will be plenty of games. Shashoua missed a massive chance to win it last kick of the game.

Daly - a real showboater with the ball rolling but looked good on the RW. I also remember at half time him frustrating Mukena while they were having a kick about but constantly trying skills.

Loft - made a difference near the end with some flick ons and etc. As we know from that US match he is feisty and he has a short fuse. Cheekily kicked one of their players in a melee to win the ball.

Also saw my mate today and asked him a few questions. I told him about the Azzaoui tweet any news of him potentially leaving is news to him and he essentially dismissed it. Told him about the recent Yahaya article saying he is still apparently still signing, he said don't believe everything you read and is still fairly sure he isn't joining. As you'd expect a players have egos but he said that apparently Edwards and Sterling had been helping out coaching the u9s which shows a good attitude and he told me that Sterling was helpful in showing a young lost Cambridge player where he needed to go at the training centre.

He confirmed Tanganga has been injured for a while and believe he has one more scan next week, and if it is clear he should start training soon i.e. in the next week or so. He told me that Miller is injured and was lucky to get a new contract as while he also rates him highly doubts he'll come through with us due to the high level of competition, which is no surprise but sad. He doesn't expect CCV to go on loan but says we are trying to get as many loans as possible so we can move some u18s up. Onomah and Winks are staying but we all knew that.

Was a good game to watch and see the new intake. COYS

IGSpur said:

[brilliant write up cut]

[itk stuff cut]

As you'd expect a players have egos but he said that apparently Edwards and Sterling had been helping out coaching the u9s which shows a good attitude and he told me that Sterling was helpful in showing a young lost Cambridge player where he needed to go at the training centre.

He told me that Miller is injured and was lucky to get a new contract as while he also rates him highly doubts he'll come through with us due to the high level of competition, which is no surprise but sad. He doesn't expect CCV to go on loan but says we are trying to get as many loans as possible so we can move some u18s up. Onomah and Winks are staying but we all knew that.

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Really good to hear that the youth players are showing such a great attitude. I don't want us turning into Chelsea, with dirty players like Costa.

I think Miller is a decent player at U21 level, and is quite underrated by our fans. It'd be good to see him succeed, but there is lots of competition. I'm glad we're giving him a chance and new contract, though.

Looks like we might be going the Ledley King route to loans for our top three - skipping them. If a player is good enough, let's bring them straight through. Make them true one club players.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.871433382952878.1073741852.122395327856691&type=3

Singapore Spurs' Facebook page and photo album of last night's live match screening

Gutted about result, but happy that the boys only stayed till halftime, when we were 2-0 up.

It was around 1050pm SG time then, and they had to be chaperoned back to hotel.

A number of us had opportunities to speak to the 4 backroom staff and it was indeed an illuminating experience.

The 4 were
1) John McDermott - Academy Manager and Head of Coaching
2) Will Antwi - Coach
3) Adam Paxton - Physio
4) Sam (didn't get his last name) - Sports Scientist

*just in: our committee got a whatsapp text from John McDermott thanking us for the experience yesterday*

Especially enjoyed the philosophy of the club in terms of leading the academy

"we want to develop people, not just football players. how to speak to people, conduct interviews, conduct themselves etc"

And how a 5 to 6 days overseas trip in competitive settings / the media / PR aspect will develop them both as a footballer and individual more than 5 to 6 weeks of work back in England will ever do.