FibreOpticJesus
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- Aug 14, 2005
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That's what I have been thinking. Or has he been instructed to play in a certain system for the long term benifit? Only thin is I cannot see it at the moment. Very confusing
Spurs U21’s, U18’s and other youth news – 2015/16 Edition
- Thread starter Spursidol
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That's what I have been thinking. Or has he been instructed to play in a certain system for the long term benifit? Only thin is I cannot see it at the moment. Very confusing
L-man
Misplaced pass from Dier
- Dec 31, 2008
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The team has a few decent players in Veljkovic, CCV, Walker-Peters but for U21s we are a very young side with undeveloped players, like Miller, Goddard, Pritchard, who physically are going to lose out against some of the bigger players in this league, especially against a team like Chelsea whose players pretty much dwarfed ours in every position tonight.
I don't think Ehiogu is doing a very good job and there's a definitely an issue with him not playing players in their strongest positions. Although, admittedly it must be tough as he doesn't have any older players except Veljkovic and Townsend until recently and is managing a very young squad for that level. Most of our 18-21 year olds train and are involved with the first team.
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Bus-Conductor
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- Oct 19, 2004
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I've been quite concerned about the performances, individual and collectively from the U21's under Ehiogu but I'm starting to think we need to take a step back and take a view on this. This is without doubt the weakest bunch we've had at U21 for quite some time (a couple of players excepted obviously, CCV, Veljkovic, KWP, Amos, Lesniak, Harrison when fit) not because they are all bad but because they are young and not as strong creatively or as bright as some of the CM's and forwards we've had recently.
I don't understand why players like Onomah & Winks aren't being given the odd game on the U21's just to keep them match sharp, it would also help educate the younger kids playing with them, and I don't understand why other LB's aren't being used. I don't understand why Loft isn't being given games instead of playing others clearly less suitable for the role. I have come to the conclusion that Walkes isn't great anywhere, especially not as a AM or forward, he's got ability but he's careless.
I think some odd decisions are being made but I also don't think Ehiogu is working with a full deck. I'm not sure who's making all the above decisions, and until we know we need be careful blaming Ehiogu for everything.
I don't understand why players like Onomah & Winks aren't being given the odd game on the U21's just to keep them match sharp, it would also help educate the younger kids playing with them, and I don't understand why other LB's aren't being used. I don't understand why Loft isn't being given games instead of playing others clearly less suitable for the role. I have come to the conclusion that Walkes isn't great anywhere, especially not as a AM or forward, he's got ability but he's careless.
I think some odd decisions are being made but I also don't think Ehiogu is working with a full deck. I'm not sure who's making all the above decisions, and until we know we need be careful blaming Ehiogu for everything.
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EQP
EQP
- Sep 1, 2013
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This. Ugo answers to John McDermott and probably Poch on some level. If John felt Ugo's decisions were hampering the players development there is no reason we wouldn't see some obvious changes.
Bus-Conductor
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I'm not absolving Ehiogu from all or any blame, certainly not for some of the poor tactical performances, the lack of coherent pressing and work off the ball, but he's clearly working with a less talented squad than the previous two generations and without knowing who's responsible for all the decisions being made I'm going to reserve some judgement.
spurs9
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- Aug 31, 2012
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Winks has played in the odd game (5 out of 15) and funnily enough, we lost 4 and drew the other. Onomah also played in one of those loses.
I think our issue is balance, any team will struggle when you only have about 5 outfield players playing their natural/trained positions. We seem to always have at least 1 player playing out of position at FB (sometimes 2), #10, Striker, and at least 1 of the wide positions and sometimes even CB. Whether this will help the players progress individually by experiencing other positions remains to be seen, but I'm doubtful.
spurs9
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We lost to Sunderland with this team
McGee
KWP Veljkovic CCV Walkes
Lesniak Winks
Sonupe Pritchard Onomah
Harrison
KWP Veljkovic CCV Walkes
Lesniak Winks
Sonupe Pritchard Onomah
Harrison
Let's also not forget that Ehiogu can also pick Sterling (an actual striker), Edwards (an actual #10), Muscatt (LB).
This is a team available to him that would have much better balance and gives younger players game time at a higher level than current (left Oduwa out due to just returning form injury).
Glover
KWP Maghoma Veljkovic Muscatt
Lesniak Owens
Sonupe Edwards Miller
Sterling
KWP Maghoma Veljkovic Muscatt
Lesniak Owens
Sonupe Edwards Miller
Sterling
beats1
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- Feb 22, 2010
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Bar onomah on the wing that is probably our most balanced team(a well balanced team) this season unless that is Alex in the hole
spurs9
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That is Alex in the #10.
beats1
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That is weird since Onomah imo will never be great as a wide player whereas he can as a CM/AM. His issue as a LW is that he spends the games running lines and moving like a hockey player on those mechanical hockey tables
Whereas in the middle he has the ability to influence the passing game whilst get out of trouble. I haven't been impressed with Barkleys development in the last 2 seasons and I hope playing him out wide wont lead to the same thing as barkley
Also Pritchard spent most of his career at LW or AM why not just play him out wide. This whole pritchard thing is weird
I said that was balanced but walkes and Onomah on the left wing is horrible
Bus-Conductor
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You make valid points that most of us acknowledge, I just wonder if not playing people like Sterling, Muscatt, Edwards, Winks, Onomah etc is always Ehiogu's decision or if these aren't decisions taken by committee?
Blake Griffin
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in fairness the u18s have only just come back from mexico so probably weren't available for selection. our next u21 game is against southampton which is likely to be streamed via their youtube channel, hopefully the likes of edwards and sterling will be involved. also think it's time we ceballos'd veljkovic assuming he's still here after the window, he's not going to sign so no point him taking game time away from maghoma and co, even if it does weaken us.
Dharmabum
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- Aug 16, 2003
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Aren't Spurs eligible a transfer fee for Milos even if his contract runs out due to his age?
Blake Griffin
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probably, doubt it would be much though. don't think we'd be due anything if he went abroad? not sure how all of this works tbh.
Bus-Conductor
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Prompted by the sale of Townsend, is he the biggest fee we've ever achieved for our own academy player ? Who is the record fee by any English club for an academy player ? Rooney by Everton ? What about worldwide ? Neymar from Santos to Barca £79.5 ?
Blake Griffin
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sterling(49m) from liverpool to city, not sure if he really counts though considering liverpool signed him for 5m+ as a 15 year old. next biggest is carroll to liverpool for 35m.
Dharmabum
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Are aren't Spurs due an academy fee?
I can't remember the age limit for that right now.
Spursidol
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- Sep 15, 2007
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As a player aged under 23 the answer is yes we will get a development fee for Veljkovic, but it will not be that much, under £1m even to a UK club (mainly as he's only made 2 first team appearances) and less if he goes to a European club
Spursidol
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Yes Townsend is the highest fee we've received for an academy fee, previously it was from the sale of Stephen Caulker.
I'd imagine that both fees will be in the top 20 or so fees that Spurs have ever received for the sale of any player, to put another spin on the numbers
