Our young players.

[stemark44]

I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed,both here and in the stadium,with the attitude towards OUR young players coming into our first team.
These guys cost NOTHING,they have been here for years and they are SPURS through and through.
They are one of US!
GIVE THEM YOUR 100% SUPPORT...EVERY SINGLE MINUTE THEY PLAY!

They need to be encouraged,they need to be nurtured.

As Alan Hanson once said 'You will win nothing with kids'

LET'S GIVE IT A TRY.

 

[yankspurs]

Mason, Ceballos and Veljkovic all need to be given a shot now. Others like KWP, Onomah, Winks, and some other u21s should be bought through later in the season. As for the ones in the squad now, Dier and Kane are good and will only get better. Bentaleb very clearly has loads of potential but hasnt impressed this year.

I know this is unpopular here but the one i just dont see anything with is Townsend. He's essentially a poor mans aaron lennon but with a powerful shot(that never ends up on target anyway). Just very useless and dont add anything to the team. All pace, nothing else. I'd much rather Ceballos be given a shot over them right now.

 

[mill]

I'd love to see as many as possible brought through over the next few seasons, create a culture of it at the club, but it has to be a balancing act with experienced players to keep the team competitive or their development could suffer

 

[G Ron]

I couldn't agree more with the OP, in fact the bashing of our young English players really makes me want to avoid this site (although clearly difficult). Biggest problem is that people just take a dislike to players and then don't see past that and so can't give credit even when it's due. Probably the same people who would've sold Bale in the early years.

Having endured Dozzel, Howells, Fox, Sinton and Nethercott, I'm more appreciative of the Townsend's and Naughton's of the current squad.

Give it a few games and Mason and Kane will be vilified on here no doubt. Just shows you why the players have no loyalty towards clubs any more.

 

[Mr-T]

Poch has already said what a great academy we have - thats quite something considering he came from Southampton.

I too think we should look to integrate as many as possible over the next few seasons, think of all the expensive but average foreign players we've bought over the years - we'd save a fortune in transfer fees and wages which could be used to fund 2 or 3 genuine world class players, and it'd also be great to develop a reputation for nurturing the best young talent.

 

[Kiedis]

Developing youth is one of the things that we've been good at in the later seasons. Even if the players "only" end up being squadplayers, educating players that reach PL level is not to be sniffed at.

And as mentioned, they are somewhat cheap. Could you imagine what a guy like Harry Kane would cost us to buy? An english U21 player with a rather decent goal return in the PL? It would be way north of 10 mill.

 

[Bofbro]

I couldn't agree more with the OP, in fact the bashing of our young English players really makes me want to avoid this site (although clearly difficult). Biggest problem is that people just take a dislike to players and then don't see past that and so can't give credit even when it's due. Probably the same people who would've sold Bale in the early years.

Having endured Dozzel, Howells, Fox, Sinton and Nethercott, I'm more appreciative of the Townsend's and Naughton's of the current squad.

Give it a few games and Mason and Kane will be vilified on here no doubt. Just shows you why the players have no loyalty towards clubs any more.

Fucking lay off Howells you ****, he was our Roy Keane.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I couldn't agree more with the OP, in fact the bashing of our young English players really makes me want to avoid this site (although clearly difficult). Biggest problem is that people just take a dislike to players and then don't see past that and so can't give credit even when it's due. Probably the same people who would've sold Bale in the early years.

Having endured Dozzel, Howells, Fox, Sinton and Nethercott, I'm more appreciative of the Townsend's and Naughton's of the current squad.

Give it a few games and Mason and Kane will be vilified on here no doubt. Just shows you why the players have no loyalty towards clubs any more.

A few games?????? You will find plenty of posts with people completely writing Kane off and ready to put him on a crucifix.

It was the same with Livermore. People seem to moan and complain for youth players to get a chance, but when they do they moan and complain that they aren't beating 5 men and sticking it in the top corner.

 

[Bofbro]

Poch has already said what a great academy we have - thats quite something considering he came from Southampton.

I too think we should look to integrate as many as possible over the next few seasons, think of all the expensive but average foreign players we've bought over the years - we'd save a fortune in transfer fees and wages which could be used to fund 2 or 3 genuine world class players, and it'd also be great to develop a reputation for nurturing the best young talent.

Or go towards the Stadium. Anyway we all know Levy likes to stockpile by bringing in cheap to sell dear.

 

[SlickMongoose]

People seem to moan and complain for youth players to get a chance, but when they do they moan and complain that they aren't beating 5 men and sticking it in the top corner.

Different people to be fair.

 

[iluvsteffenfreund]

The problem we have as supporters is our lofty ambitions... If we believe that we should be in top four this season then throwing in mason, Kane , bentaleb and milos every week means it won't happen. Only the exceptional kids are playing week in week out for a top 4 side? Ie sterling and wilshere... So unless we do an Aston villa and say right the next few years are a transition then a lot of supporters will not accept us missing out on top 4-6 by trying the kids. I do think a few of these are good players but I don't think they are exceptional otherwise they would be a permanent fixture by now. A friend of mine played with mason at Doncaster where he hardly played but he said he has great ability but was far too weak and very injury prone. Hopefully we have addressed that.

 

[JimmyG2]

Loyalty, from fans and players is a rare commodity.
It breeds heart and commitment which is what everyone agrees
is seriously lacking from the squad at the moment.
Academy youngsters will show it
when foreign imports do not and cannot be expected to.
A core of young and own developed players
is as vital as a few expensive mercenaries.
The Bale/ Modric axis if you like.
We should be proud that we finished against Forest with four academy lads on the pitch.
One of whom turned the game and another that finished it off
with the help of the one young import, Lamela, that has shown some passion.
Lets build a new Lamela/Kane axis to replace the Bale/Modric one.

 

[chrisd2k]

I would play some of our younger players this season to get them ready for next as it looks like we will have another transitional season. I'm tired of giving players like Naughton and Paulinho, who will never be at the level we require playing when younger players with more potential dont. Players like Walker-Peters, Oglivie, CCV (maybe too young), Mason, Bentaleb, Oduwa, etc.

Not all at the same time possibly and probably a lot of sub appearances but you get the idea

 

[DaSpurs]

The problem we have as supporters is our lofty ambitions... If we believe that we should be in top four this season then throwing in mason, Kane , bentaleb and milos every week means it won't happen. Only the exceptional kids are playing week in week out for a top 4 side? Ie sterling and wilshere... So unless we do an Aston villa and say right the next few years are a transition then a lot of supporters will not accept us missing out on top 4-6 by trying the kids. I do think a few of these are good players but I don't think they are exceptional otherwise they would be a permanent fixture by now. A friend of mine played with mason at Doncaster where he hardly played but he said he has great ability but was far too weak and very injury prone. Hopefully we have addressed that.

I agree with your core point here, as we certainly can't have things both ways, but just wanted to point out that Mason was 19 at the time of his Doncaster move. It's true a lot of guys who get to this level have filled out by such an age, but you have to remember the average human male hasn't at that point. So yes, let's hope he's added a bit more protection since then, both in terms of genetically and upon getting at some weights a bit.

Although... he did pick up a knock during preseason so I may be entirely wrong here.

As for the rest of the thread and individuals mentioned, I'm not sure why Ceballos deserves the patience but Townsend doesn't. Did you folks not see Ceballos in preseason? I get the frustration with Townsend, especially since he's had more chances, but from those games in preseason I think it's rather abundantly clear why Townsend still gets first team minutes and Ceballos is on the fringes. Really think we should have lined up another loan for him, and hope we will in January. We could use the squad place.

 

[mpickard2087]

I agree with your core point here, as we certainly can't have things both ways, but just wanted to point out that Mason was 19 at the time of his Doncaster move. It's true a lot of guys who get to this point have filled out by such an age, but you have to remember the average human male hasn't at that point. So yes, let's hope he's added a bit more protection since then, both in terms of genetically and upon getting at some weights a bit.

Although... he did pick up a knock during preseason so I may be entirely wrong here.

As for the rest of the thread and individuals mentioned, I'm not sure why Ceballos deserves the patience but Townsend doesn't. Did you folks not see Ceballos in preseason? I get the frustration with Townsend, especially since he's had more chances, but from those games in preseason I think it's rather abundantly clear why Townsend still gets first team minutes and Ceballos is on the fringes. Really think we should have lined up another loan for him, and hope we will in January. We could use the squad place.

He has. Mason is someone the club has had to handle carefully and have been prepared to be patient with him. They knew the talent he had. At the age of 18/19 he was still absolutely tiny, about 5ft 8 max. I would guess and just a bag of bones. That, plus being injury prone, meant his body wasn't up to it. The talent wasn't in doubt, but he's been held back physically. Youtube some old Spurs youth videos from about '09 and you can see the difference between him then and now at 23, where he has had a growth spurt and filled out a bit.

 

[PT]

I was looking at the review of last season the other week and the stat which caught me by surprise was the average age of the team we put out week on week. It fluctuated but was sat around the 24 yr to 25 yr band. That to me, suggests we do give young players a chance and temper it with older and more widely established players. That's how it should be.

 

[DaSpurs]

He has. Mason is someone the club has had to handle carefully and have been prepared to be patient with him. They knew the talent he had. At the age of 18/19 he was still absolutely tiny, about 5ft 8 max. I would guess and just a bag of bones. That, plus being injury prone, meant his body wasn't up to it. The talent wasn't in doubt, but he's been held back physically. Youtube some old Spurs youth videos from about '09 and you can see the difference between him then and now at 23, where he has had a growth spurt and filled out a bit.

I'd say he's about 5'10-5'11 now? Good dynamic footballer's height, and yes he does appear to have put on significant "filling" since pictures of him from even a few years ago.

 

[mpickard2087]

I'd say he's about 5'10-5'11 now? Good dynamic footballer's height, and yes he does appear to have put on significant "filling" since pictures of him from even a few years ago.

Yep much nearer 6ft now. He's been patient, hopefully now he grabs the opportunities he gets. Wednesday was a great start.

 

[midspur]

Mason, Ceballos and Veljkovic all need to be given a shot now. Others like KWP, Onomah, Winks, and some other u21s should be bought through later in the season. As for the ones in the squad now, Dier and Kane are good and will only get better. Bentaleb very clearly has loads of potential but hasnt impressed this year.

I know this is unpopular here but the one i just dont see anything with is Townsend. He's essentially a poor mans aaron lennon but with a powerful shot(that never ends up on target anyway). Just very useless and dont add anything to the team. All pace, nothing else. I'd much rather Ceballos be given a shot over them right now.

I think the problem with Townsend is his stature within the club. He was seen as the next Bale and as a result probably believes himself to be better than he is. There is no doubt there is talent there he just needs to allow Poch & the training staff to bring it out and to recognise opportunities for the team rather than self-glory I.e. play someone in rather than go for row z.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

I dont get how saying Townsend is shit = "you hate all young British spurs players".

Fans in here love players coming through the ranks, and their only complaint is more aren't given a chance.

However, coming through the youth ranks should not make you immune to criticism.

Some posters on here are just closet xenophobes with the "durr we need more English heart durr", even though English players in recent years have possibly been the most apathetic prima donnas in football.