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

[Twizzle]

I thought Dom Ball was our next best DM

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

I thought Dom Ball was our next best DM

Was mainly a CB for our u21s last year, and a RB during his loan to league 2. Has performed well in a number of positions for Rangers, although recently it does sound like he's making that DM spot his own.

 

[littlewilly]

Was mainly a CB for our u21s last year, and a RB during his loan to league 2. Has performed well in a number of positions for Rangers, although recently it does sound like he's making that DM spot his own.

On the bench most recently.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

What's the opinion on Walkes. Saw an article yesterday that described him as the next Dier in the making. CB/DM, yet I know he's often been played out of position this year and has drawn criticism for not being at the level required. Is that a general observation, or just one on him when played in AM?

 

[newbie]

What's the opinion on Walkes. Saw an article yesterday that described him as the next Dier in the making. CB/DM, yet I know he's often been played out of position this year and has drawn criticism for not being at the level required. Is that a general observation, or just one on him when played in AM?

I am surprised personally I think Walkes is an ok left back, but I don't think he will make it as a midfielder, but you never know sometimes someone sees something everyone else's misses. Let's be honest there are a lot of players who make it who are not very talented. Robbie savage, lee catamole types.

 

[WindyCOYS]

What's the opinion on Walkes. Saw an article yesterday that described him as the next Dier in the making. CB/DM, yet I know he's often been played out of position this year and has drawn criticism for not being at the level required. Is that a general observation, or just one on him when played in AM?

This guy has written several bizarre articles, his is not an opinion I'd trust.

I always doubted that Walkes would make it in league football. Now maybe that was overly harsh and he will carve out some kind of career if he sticks to centre-back. But he has never been a player that has stood out, has played consistently well, or has shown that he has the technical ability to make it at any great level. I only need say one word, though: Livermore. So who knows.

 

[IGSpur]

U18s lost 1 nil to Boro today and the u16s 4-3. With our 2-1 loss against their u21s and them booting us out of the FAYC, they really have had our number this season

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Think he might make it with us- played in the post-season games (I think) and seems to have the work-rate Poch loves

rob fletcher ‏@Robbiefletch 2h2 hours ago
Thought @GrantWard_ was MOM today amongst some other massive performances #rufc

Charlotte ‏@78_Char_87 3h3 hours ago
All of them awesome today, but something special with @GrantWard_

Deano ‏@deano83rufc 3h3 hours ago
Nearly there! Grant Ward, absolutely heroic along with Halford. Kirky, absolute scenes in that bottom corner. Lets get walloped! #rufc

Mick Gulliver ‏@MickGulliver 1m1 minute ago
@GrantWard_ @OfficialRUFC Man of the Match today, caused them problems from the off and ran your socks off. Absolutely brilliant game.

Richard Brewin ‏@BrewinRichard 33m33 minutes ago
@GrantWard_ @OfficialRUFC midfield masterclass today absolute quality the work rate was incredible.

 

[IGSpur]

I'd be interested to see if he gets his chance and where. Seems we have Ward and Ball to be tried out at DM not to mention Poch apparentyl liking Amos

 

[IGSpur]

This guy has written several bizarre articles, his is not an opinion I'd trust.

I always doubted that Walkes would make it in league football. Now maybe that was overly harsh and he will carve out some kind of career if he sticks to centre-back. But he has never been a player that has stood out, has played consistently well, or has shown that he has the technical ability to make it at any great level. I only need say one word, though: Livermore. So who knows.

Tbh I still think he'd be better at DM than CB as I think he lacks any positional awareness at the back, he can get beat by the simplest of balls. At least at DM he can use his physique and has some experience in defence and some experience in attack. I just don't think he is good enough. Could be for another league but not for us. But as you say, workrate and determination seems to trump everything, and he has that, so who knows where he ends up.

 

[Spurzinho]

Surprised to hear you mention Walkes alongside workrate & determination, IG. Walkes has always struck me as frustratingly languid for a player who's main job is supposed to be putting himself about and breaking up play. I've never noticed him move at anything above a jog and he certainly doesn't go in for the tackle with much determination. He doesn't read the game when in defence and doesn't possess the finesse to impact the game in the attacking third. I'm sure the club has a reason for keeping him around but it can't be based on skill, footballing intelligence or physical strengths. I remember John McDermott being a big fan of a very similar player; Sam Cox. No discernible footballing ability, very little mobility or athleticism and didn't read the game at all but his attitude and professionalism were first class. He lead which ever group he was part of and could always be trusted as a captain and leader. We stuck with him far longer than his footballing ability justified. I don't and never have got the same sense with Walkes, who seems a quiet and reserved lad. Again, maybe they know something that we don't but from the outside Walkes has very, very little going for him. Then again I didn't think Grant Ward would have a professional career and he looks like he could end up having a surprisingly good one, if not here then certainly at a top Championship/Lower Prem side, so what do I know.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

It's a funny one with Walkes. When I watched him as an U18/U19 I quite liked facets of his game. In that age group he was tall and rangy but had decent technique and quite a good engine. I think he definitely displayed some ability playing in CM. At that stage he reminded me a bit of Michael Mancienne, who when coming through the ranks at Chelsea a few years ago looked quite promising in similar roles (CB or footballing DCM). But Walkes always made mistakes, often seemed to suffer with lapses in concentration.

He ended playing LB for the semi final youth cup team, and put in good effort but not really looking comfortable out there. Then this season, for some really hard to fathom reason, he's been played as an ACM and even striker. I have absolutely no idea what the thinking has been with that, because, although he's bagged the odd goal he's been awful up there and a contributory factor to the incoherent stuff we've seen from the U21's most of the season.

I personally think the boy has some ability, but the most of the kids that make it to the U21 phase have some ability, whether he has enough or the mentality to succeed is very questionable based on the last two years.

 

[rabbikeane]

Kevin Stewart in the starting line up for Liverpool today, impressive development from our former academy boy

 

[Doomchicken]

Ward and Ball to be tried out at DM

Ward played out wide for Rotherham last time I saw them play.

 

[DanielCHillier]

Ward played out wide for Rotherham last time I saw them play.

Same, pretty sure he's a winger.

 

[Spurzinho]

Ward is pretty versatile. He was behind Alexander McQueen, Jack Barthram, Kevin Stewart at right back and Kenny McEvoy, Roman Michael-Percil & Emmanuel Sonupe on the wing during his time with the U18s, that forced him onto the left where he wasn't going to get into the side infront of Oduwa on the wing so he made his name as a make-shift left back. From there he got a chance, due to injuries, in central midfield and that was when he started raising eyebrows. Everyone had him pegged as one that would be released after his scholarship, and I have a vague memory of his posting a cryptic message on twitter suggesting he'd been let go. I seem to remember WindyCoys saying that he'd heard Ward was leaving. Ward wasn't released and has gone from strength to strength, playing as a box to box midfielder for Chicago Fire and Coventry, as well as playing from the right as well as a floating no.10 from where he has scored a few goals for Rotherham. Everywhere he has been the fans have been extremely impressed. Coventry, and their manager Tony Mowbray were desperate to keep him.

 

[edson]

Question to Skysports how hard is it to get a picture of Stewart in a Liverpool shirt.
http://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-stoke/teams/341509

 

[CornerPinDreamer]

Question to Skyports how hard is it to get a picture of Stewart in a Liverpool shirt.
http://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-stoke/teams/341509

Ojo looks like he has some sort of wasting disease..

oh wait, his photo is missing....

 

[IGSpur]

Same, pretty sure he's a winger.

I wouldn't say I'm sure with any position he plays. He has played everywhere for Rotherham and if he was to find his way into our first team it would most likely be through DM. I don't think he is good enough for our AM 3 BUT he could be an option there as a utility man.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

I wouldn't say I'm sure with any position he plays. He has played everywhere for Rotherham and if he was to find his way into our first team it would most likely be through DM. I don't think he is good enough for our AM 3 BUT he could be an option there as a utility man.

Could be our Milner...?

Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing lol.