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The Spurs Youth Thread - 2017/2018

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
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i think he's fine where he is for now. not meaning to play him down here but it is only two months of good form, it's not like he's been knocking on the door for the past couple of years - he's shown flashes in that time but has been far too inconsistent and frustrating. i'm glad he's now putting his talent together but i don't think he's at the point yet where he should be thrust into the first team picture, granted i think you can make a case for him considering tob is there but then i think tob himself has been pushed up prematurely.

While Bennetts is the topic of conversation I'll say my piece and bounce off this post. I largely agree with you about not hyping him up too soon but he is definitely one I would bring on as a sub for LC minutes to see how he does but as we got West Ham that is unlikely. It would useful if we had EL football at this point.

I think you're being slightly harsh on him and you make a good point comparing him to TOB. As an u16 and in academy Bennetts was very very good and exciting. I was looking forward to seeing how he translated it to u18s. I mentioned before that he would make good runs and get into good position but get ignored, so when he eventually got on the ball he always felt he had to do something, and would lose the ball. Consequently his confidence waned and he got dropped and eventually moved to LB And generally didn't play very well for u18s for the rest of the season, however as you said he played a few games for u23s and actually performed really well, he also was playing well for England before he was dropped.

Last year I thought he played decently and actually had a good 2nd half of the season. I was pelased for him as he started to show what I had seen at u16s. Skill, pace, power and impressive 2 footedness. This season he has gone to another level and is playing with incredible confidence again. I'd argue he could be rewarded for his perofrmances but don't see him as being ready to contribute regularly atm, though, who knows if he performed well.

Re: TOB, I actually think Bennetts had a better first year than TOB. Which when you see how TOB is still considered either means people are really harsh on Bennetts or going off the understandable hype for TOB. They both put in underwhelming performances for the u18s, both played well for England however, Bennetts actually also played well for the u23s whereas TOB didn't.

I hope Bennetts does go back to being a winger, I'm not happy with a player of his skill at LB. I remember when Rose was moved to LB it made sense as he never did anything as a winger, but by comparison Bennetts is doing very well, and his decision making and final ball has really improved. Either way he is developing well and I'd like to see him rewarded, especially if TOB has been bumped up. I'm interested to know if Poch goes off talent, match performances or how well they train when considering them to bring into the first team
 

Hercules

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Jul 23, 2014
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Bennetts is expected to be a quiet big plus coming through. I can confirm that much. Not sure if putting us off Sess, but would make sense.
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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You can't compare at this point sessengon is going well at a much higher level than Bennett

I can. I can judge their ability from what I have seen. I saw them both when they were in the same age group, and played in their academies and international football. Bennetts was a better winger than Sessegnon at u16s. Sessegnon has definitely kicked on more and ahead of Bennett's development wise at the moment, as he is able to play at a Championship club and putting displays on there, while Bennetts struggled in his first year. However, Bennetts has kicked on and played really well against a League One club last night also.

I can tell you before Winks ever made an appearance for our first team he was better than Lee Cattermole and Livermore. Just because someone is playing in a different league or first team it doesn't stop me being able to compare their ability to a youth player.

Sessegnon is very talented but as I've said many times he is one of many talented 00 players who is getting his chance in adult football and now grabbing headlines. He is very talented, but isn't the best youth player around
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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Agree Bennetts looked good in those highlights as a creative force, not much involvement in the Wimbledon goals so cant judge his defensive duties. Austin (GK) looked poor and at fault for 3 of the goals. Very difficult though to field an U21 goalkeeper when keepers don't tend to mature until their mid twenties, always means you'll concede goals.

I'll jump in to defend Austin. I think Austin is a really good keeper and again is a perfect example of how strong this age group is. Whiteman stays with the first team but Austin for the last couple of years has put in assured no nonsense performances. He is isn't flashy but he is very good.

He has great reaction and is very composed. He actually pulled off some quality saves yesterday and an outrageous double save if it was him who blocked the volley.

I admit he was at fault for the 3rd goal as he should have got a better hand on it. The first was scruffy and is anyones fault and more down to the experience of facing men.

I thought he fumbled the last goal into his net yesterday but it looks like Parret got his head there just before Austin. He might have had a ropey game others may disagree with me, but I thought I should point out that he is a very good keeper and potentially promising.

Also doesn't seem to have been mentioned but Thorpe has been called up the Wales u19s, so playing up a year. Don't know where he has been for us though. Hopefullly will see him Saturday
 

WindyCOYS

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Feb 24, 2016
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Myself and @IGSpur discussed this last night: I actually prefer Bennetts at LB/LWB where he has space to attack, as I think he sometimes struggles to find those Shashoua-like movements and cute passes when he's boxed in, whereas if he has space to move into he can build momentum.
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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Here is a preview to the u17 World Cup and a look at the England squad. So much talent and reading the different opinions from the other youth watchers I think it speaks volumes that there are so many different choices for the 'one to watch'.

https://kaibarrettfootball.wordpres...ands-u17s-and-a-preview-of-the-u17-world-cup/

There are some quality ommisions and I think it's fair to say that Skipp was possibly the unluckiest to miss out on this squad, and Matt O'Riley. Nice to see Lyons-Foster also get a mention in it. England currently have a lot of quality age groups, the year above for example are also quality, but this group has so many individually gifted players that work so well as a time, that it will be a crime if none get opporuntites in the future. The positive about this age group are there are 4 completely different teams you could make with the players in this age group, that I'd back to go far or do really well in Euros, so it means there are options available and that doesn't take into account any late developers.

I must say it's been so interesting watching this team come together, and they've only just started. From first seeing Skipp, Kirby, TOB and Eyoma as u14s and thinking 'Wow' these guys are quality and best age group I've seen, ably supported by others talents in that side, I thought this is like our 'golden generation'. Then to find out it had coincided with Man City produced their GG, Chelsea another strong age group, United producing their best youngster and Fulham producing their best youngsters, it has made for a really good watch and great group. They have a lot of hype, and there's every possibility they could just flop at the WC, but I have no doubt that if given the chance these guys could do great things in the future

Anyway a couple of other interesting points I'll add that isn't in this article. In 2015 the Dutch coach said this when he came up against this side at u16 level said

Under 16's coach was full of praise for the English team. "England actually has a top team. In this age group, I have rarely seen a team that was so good. The players were individually very good, technically proficient and physically very strong. Although we have had a few chances, we were talking with particularly difficult time for rest. We really had to get used to the level. "

And the Norwegian coach who faced them later that season said

"They have a lot of good ball players and combine well. We were pressed back from the start. The plan was to stand tall against them, but they came up out of it every time we did it. In the years I've been coach, this is the best team I've seen, says Erland Johnsen"

"Colin Rösler was good against former teammates, says Johnsen. Tomorrow is the training and rest before Italy await Thursday. 12:00. - I saw Italy against the Czech Republic earlier in the day and they did not impress as much as England. They play more directly and have two good strikers as they turn a lot on, but they have not the same individual skills that England has."

Anyway I'll stop, go read the article
 
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allpaths

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Oct 31, 2014
3,174
8,381
Totally agree with @WindyCOYS , think as a WB/FB is the role that Keanon can maximize his effectiveness at, due to his skill set. Would still hope we're still interested in Sessegnon as I see him as someone who is very good in between the half spaces as an attacking midfielder, where I think we are still light in both in the academy and first team.
 

coys200

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May 22, 2017
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17,403
I think Bennetts is more explosive and stronger than Sessegnon.But given he is a year older.Sessegnon is a bit more silky.But in all honesty I was slightly underwhelmed by him in the summer was expecting more.Its weird I’m suddenly more excited about Bennetts than Edwards.Bennetts is the kind of player that instantly gets fans on his side,we love someone that takes on a player and makes things happen.My overiding feeling when I watch Edwards is Just you’re so little.I know he has fantastic moments,but that size niggle is always there.
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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29,659
Bennetts is expected to be a quiet big plus coming through. I can confirm that much. Not sure if putting us off Sess, but would make sense.

Good stuff! I think Sess is pretty versatile, I believe he played as a FW for the u19's in the summer IIRC.
 

dondo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2006
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14,091
I can. I can judge their ability from what I have seen. I saw them both when they were in the same age group, and played in their academies and international football. Bennetts was a better winger than Sessegnon at u16s. Sessegnon has definitely kicked on more and ahead of Bennett's development wise at the moment, as he is able to play at a Championship club and putting displays on there, while Bennetts struggled in his first year. However, Bennetts has kicked on and played really well against a League One club last night also.

I can tell you before Winks ever made an appearance for our first team he was better than Lee Cattermole and Livermore. Just because someone is playing in a different league or first team it doesn't stop me being able to compare their ability to a youth player.

Sessegnon is very talented but as I've said many times he is one of many talented 00 players who is getting his chance in adult football and now grabbing headlines. He is very talented, but isn't the best youth player around


It's not a fair comparison is what I meant
 

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
14,133
38,225
edwards scored, i think ..

[translated]
GOOOOOOOOOOL ENGLISH !!! Ugbo, having stolen a ball in the midfield, leaves a central ball percussion to the foot and, on the 20m, serves with a right-sided exterior, the cunning Edwards, who, having checked in the race, leaves the spot on the spot, dribbles on the right, the defending blue blue, Zaccagno, and, by the right-hand side of the small opposing area, achieves the winning tap with a right-handed right-handed cross.

edit: yep

1-2 5' Buckley-Ricketts (Inghilterra U20), 15' Panico (Italia U20), 22' Edwards (Inghilterra U20).
 
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