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

[DaSpurs]

So they reckon MV played in the morning at Reading and then traveled to Peterborough to play there. I assumed he just isn't as fit as anyone else it. He only came back what 2 or 3 days before Kane and Carroll returned, I haven't seen MV in any training pics either so just assume he was using the u21 game to get minutes.

Must add I'm so pleased for Oduwa at the moment. Sheiy Ojo was getting a Champ loan and Oduwa is as good as him, not surprised to hear he was giving Championship quality defenders trouble.

While it is one game, I think I was discussing this with @DaSpurs but it shows why we don't need Demarai Gray. It's the classic case of coming through a lesser club and getting chances and appearing better than players stuck top academies' u21s.

The thing is though buddy, you're still caught up on the notion of who's better, and that's not the point that was being made at the time. It was about specific attributes (Gray is faster than Oduwa, while Oduwa is more powerful), and specifically that we lacked that attribute of speed on our left side.

Only buying/promoting who is better can lead to an incompatible and unbalanced team. If the link to Gray was true at the time, then I suspect it was because we were lookin for young outright speed, not because we were looking for someone "better" than Oduwa.

 

[IGSpur]

Think Sterling (treble A rated striker - thanks) played as Coulthirst played for first team and Harrison/Sterling played for development squad as next in line. He must be rated highly by playing in last season's FAYC at 16.

Think Pritchard still out injured from E u21's - he tweeted recently that he should be back soon.

He will really benefit from the dearth of strikers though he should still be behind Loft who was on fire this time last year so good effort by him. Hopefully stands him in good stead for when they select the u17 World Cup team

Pritchard still injured isn't he?

Meant Joe Pritchard guys, wondering if he has recovered from his injury yet and made an appearance

 

[Blake Griffin]

First game back I won't complain. Ball has also been injured and I don't rate Hall that much so first game back settling in a not so strong defense isn't bad. Also, I assume Sterling would ahve left him a bit exposed.

Tbh I am probably just making excuses for him and I don't need to on his first game against a L1 side.

it was sonupe ahead of him, who did an ok job protecting him. tbh everyone was a 5 or 6 out of 10 imo bar goddard and azzaoui when he came on. sterling played up top but struggled on his own, which isn't exactly a surprise considering he's 16 playing against defenders probably 10+ years older than him.

 

[IGSpur]

The thing is though buddy, you're still caught up on the notion of who's better, and that's not the point that was being made at the time. It was about specific attributes (Gray is faster than Oduwa, while Oduwa is more powerful), and specifically that we lacked that attribute of speed on our left side.

Only buying/promoting who is better can lead to an incompatible and unbalanced team. If the link to Gray was true at the time, then I suspect it was because we were lookin for young outright speed, not because we were looking for someone "better" than Oduwa.

Oh ye, but I still don't think we should buy someone who is quick and ignore their skills. End product is essential, though I think you only wanted someone quick to stretch defenses. Though i think my argument at the time was that Oduwa could have provided that pace, instead of buying it so ye y fault for mentioning the better thing, was just that Oduwa could have provided the pace.

 

[spursfan77]

Sounds like he's made noise in all the closed door friendlies this year so far with plenty of goals and assists. Could definitely be this year's Mason. Doesn't register on many fan's team ideas, but simply plays his way into Poch's graces with strong performances in friendlies.

I agree. Makes all the links to Victor Moses all the more annoying/frustrating/short sighted/maddening etc etc etc.

 

[IGSpur]

Think the fact that we have 5 senior cbs means that it's difficult to give milos minutes in senior games.

I know I've said it before but it is a stupid situation unless we plan on using him in DM. Just hope he doesn't waste another year on a quesitonable loan

 

[edson]

So they reckon MV played in the morning at Reading and then traveled to Peterborough to play there. I assumed he just isn't as fit as anyone else it. He only came back what 2 or 3 days before Kane and Carroll returned, I haven't seen MV in any training pics either so just assume he was using the u21 game to get minutes.

Must add I'm so pleased for Oduwa at the moment. Sheiy Ojo was getting a Champ loan and Oduwa is as good as him, not surprised to hear he was giving Championship quality defenders trouble.

While it is one game, I think I was discussing this with @DaSpurs but it shows why we don't need Demarai Gray. It's the classic case of coming through a lesser club and getting chances and appearing better than players stuck top academies' u21s.

I know

I know I've said it before but it is a stupid situation unless we plan on using him in DM. Just hope he doesn't waste another year on a quesitonable loan

Did notice yesterday that Physically he has got bigger more Muscle that could help him play DM,

 

[newbie]

So they reckon MV played in the morning at Reading and then traveled to Peterborough to play there. I assumed he just isn't as fit as anyone else it. He only came back what 2 or 3 days before Kane and Carroll returned, I haven't seen MV in any training pics either so just assume he was using the u21 game to get minutes.

Must add I'm so pleased for Oduwa at the moment. Sheiy Ojo was getting a Champ loan and Oduwa is as good as him, not surprised to hear he was giving Championship quality defenders trouble.

While it is one game, I think I was discussing this with @DaSpurs but it shows why we don't need Demarai Gray. It's the classic case of coming through a lesser club and getting chances and appearing better than players stuck top academies' u21s.

Oduwa offers something we don't have currently, didn't he used to play right side with KWP ?

What is the biggest hope for Odwua, and coulhurst there gaps in our squad they can fill, both have pace I know it's a massive ask for Shaq but I have a feeling he could surprise a few people.

 

[newbie]

I agree. Makes all the links to Victor Moses all the more annoying/frustrating/short sighted/maddening etc etc etc.

Can Oduwa offer as much as mosses short term and can he be a far better player long term? Is more the question I hope the club start asking these questions for to long our academy and our first team have been to different entities.

 

[edson]

Oduwa offers something we don't have currently, didn't he used to play right side with KWP ?

What is the biggest hope for Odwua, and coulhurst there gaps in our squad they can fill, both have pace I know it's a massive ask for Shaq but I have a feeling he could surprise a few people.

Looking forward to seeing Shaq play because it has been a long time since i last watched him play, just want to see with my own eyes if he has improved or not.

 

[IGSpur]

Oduwa offers something we don't have currently, didn't he used to play right side with KWP ?

What is the biggest hope for Odwua, and coulhurst there gaps in our squad they can fill, both have pace I know it's a massive ask for Shaq but I have a feeling he could surprise a few people.

As far as I know he has always played left with Sonupe right, even when Georgiou played AG would play on the right.

I am not quite sure on Shaq, I haven't seen him in training and only saw him play a few u21s last year, but if he could improve his composure he'd be a very good option.

I think Oduwa could do a good job in the cups. Just to see how he ets on. If he performs well could work himself into the PL which is an outside chance at the moment, but don't see why he couldn't similar effect to Ibe for Liverpool. Direct, pacy, strong and skillful noone likes that. He also is a decent player round the box and a half decent finisher, with loads of confidence so isn't the type to panic infront of goal

 

[spursfan77]

Can Oduwa offer as much as mosses short term and can he be a far better player long term? Is more the question I hope the club start asking these questions for to long our academy and our first team have been to different entities.

I agree and I think as fans we can't really know as we don't see oduwa every day. What we can see though is that Moses is an average premier league player. Signing him sends out the wrong signals to the youngsters long term. By all means if we want a short term fix just buy a better player. But signing him just pushes Pritchard and Oduwa down the pecking order. The left and right hand side of our attacks (first choice and back up) have never been so up for grabs.

 

[IGSpur]

Can Oduwa offer as much as mosses short term and can he be a far better player long term? Is more the question I hope the club start asking these questions for to long our academy and our first team have been to different entities.

Hard to say without seeing him play, but I think he would do well in the Championship and EL then from there we'll see. Moses has the advantage of being seen in the PL which is easier to go with but in terms of cost and potential gain I'd go with Oduwa

 

[Romulus]

Never been oduwas biggest fan but would love to see what he could do in the first team environment, he has plenty of skill and pace which we lack

 

[newbie]

Looking forward to seeing Shaq play because it has been a long time since i last watched him play, just want to see with my own eyes if he has improved or not.

Why do you think his stumbled last couple of years?

 

[newbie]

Never been oduwas biggest fan but would love to see what he could do in the first team environment, he has plenty of skill and pace which we lack

What is it you do not like, I remember seeing him when he was really young and he was so tall compared to the other kids.

 

[edson]

Can someone tell Ray P

Why do you think his stumbled last couple of years?

Do not know because he has been out on loan for so long we have not seen a lot of him, but he was a player I liked hard working good pace and made good runs off the ball and was strong and had a very good understanding with Kane.Maybe the loans have not helped him but this is his chance to prove he can be a asset as long as he stays at Spurs and no more loans.
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/shaq-reading-pre-season-190715/

 

[newbie]

Can someone tell Ray P

Do not know because he has been out on loan for so long we have not seen a lot of him, but he was a player I liked hard working good pace and made good runs off the ball and was strong and had a very good understanding with Kane.Maybe the loans have not helped him but this is his chance to prove he can be a asset as long as he stays at Spurs and no more loans.

That's why I am hoping the confidence boost of home comforts, people he knows, and know him plus better player who suit his style will bring out the best in him. He would be a headline writers dream, cool hirst, Shaq attack, there must be sun writers who are begging for him to make.

 

[Romulus]

What is it you do not like, I remember seeing him when he was really young and he was so tall compared to the other kids.

I'm not sure he does enough consistently when he has the ball. Also I don't think his defensive work is good enough although that can be worked on.

I generally just feel he isn't sharp enough overall for the level we require although I have no doubt he could turn it on once in a while.

I'd compare him to azzaoui who would imo would give much better return per possession and generally a livelier performance

 

[edson]

That's why I am hoping the confidence boost of home comforts, people he knows, and know him plus better player who suit his style will bring out the best in him. He would be a headline writers dream, cool hirst, Shaq attack, there must be sun writers who are begging for him to make.

He will find u21s too easy but if he can impress he could have a outside chance of making a first team bench for the odd game,if we loan him out again i do not think he will make it at Spurs.