Spurs under 21, under 18 Leagues and other youth news

[beats1]

Not a massive surprise I suppose. (Although you're right, we're already weak at the back). The club wasn't convinced enough to give him a proper contract last summer but extended his Academy status for a 3rd year instead.

If we get a million or with future fees we will be happy tbh

 

[rabbikeane]

Tottenham Hotspur ‏@SpursOfficial
Our Development Squad beat Peterborough 8-1 today. Match report & pics later! Goals: Pritchard (4) Ceballos (2), Luongo & Coulthirst #COYS

Another match for those who could not get into the u 21 match yesterday plus a few from the academy. probably similar to a NextGen team line up Be interesting to see the Peterborough line up too so as to see the quality of opposition - no doubt there will have been scouts at this match too looking for potential loanees.

Two assists as well from Pritchard, safe to say there'll be loan offers this month.

 

[Spursidol]

David Pleat was talking on talksport the other day, his knowledge is insane for someone out of work or is he? and he mentioned that issue with Luongo at ipswich was they had too many young players and needed experience players for dealing with relegation

Agreed - but that should have been known about before Luongo went there. The Ipswich fans forums seemed to be rating him very highly before he was droppen for more experienced players.

That was one of two bad loan placings this season - the other bad one being Fredericks to Brentford where thety wanted to play with a narrow diamond - and hence no room for a winger.

I'm not sure Spurs have learnt yet all the intricies of making successful loans (or alternatively the person doing it now was not the same person as say 2 years ago) - and that means players developoment is being stifled.

 

[Spursidol]

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD 8-1 PETERBOROUGH: PRITCHARD GRABS FOUR IN SUPERB WIN

Posted 15 January 2013 5:43pm

Alex Pritchard stole the show with four goals in 20 minutes in a relentless second-half performance as the Development Squad beat 8-1 against a Peterborough United side on Tuesday afternoon at Hotspur Way.

A Cristian Ceballos goal gave us a slender lead at the break despite dominating proceedings, but the lads showed the gulf in quality between the two sides with a superb second period that saw us hit the back of the net seven times.

Our high-pressing tactics saw Peterborough’s defence crumble as Pritchard grabbed an impressive four goals in quick succession and Ceballos completed his brace.

Peterborough managed a consolation before Luongo and Coulthirst completed the rout late on.

We took the lead in the 11th minute when Pritchard's shot from 25-yards forced a sprawling save from Peterborough’s keeper, with the onrushing Ceballos on hand to tuck home the rebound.

But despite dominating proceedings, that was as good as it got for Spurs before the break. Massimo Luongo controlled the midfield well, while Tomislav Gomelt and Dean Parrett linked up to good effect, repeatedly driving towards the opposition defence.

But a reinvigorated side emerged for the second-half and got straight in the faces of their opponents who subsequently retreated to the edge of their box.

The added space in midfield allowed Pritchard to take the game by the scruff of the neck in a sublime period of play.

Firstly, Gomelt worked some space on the left to send a looping ball onto Pritchard’s foot which the 19-year-old guided into the back of the net, and the diminutive winger grabbed his second just a few minutes later, lashing home after good work by Ceballos from the right-flank.

Pritchard, who joined our Academy in 2009, then grabbed his hat-trick by bending a right-footed free-kick around the wall into the bottom right corner from 20-yards.

And he did not stop there as he completed his personal tally with a brilliant fourth for 5-0 on 69 minutes.

A good spell of Spurs possession culminated in a mazy run from the left before he whipped home from the edge of the area.

'Boro grabbed a consolation goal three minutes later via Jonson Clarke-Harris' superb finish from 30-yards beating substitute goalkeeper Liam Priestley.

But soon after, a great save by our young 'keeper began the breakaway move which ended with Ceballos bending in his second goal of the day into the top left corner from 12-yards to re-establish the five-goal lead.

Luongo then added the seventh by prodding home after some neat interplay through the middle on 84 minutes and Coulthirst bundled home a Pritchard pull-back shortly before full-time to complete the scoring.

SPURS TEAM: Miles (Priestley, 63); Byrne; Barthram; Gallifuoco; Stewart; Luongo; Parrett (Bentaleb, 70); Gomelt; Coulibaly (Coulthirst, 82); Ceballos; Pritchard

Strong side, given that the u 21's played Wolves yesterday. lots of comments on Pritchard already so no need to repeat them. Good to see Gomelt back for his first 90 minutes this season. Was expecting to see the returning Cameron Lancaster and Jake Nicholson but guess they are not quite ready yet.

 

[eddiebailey]

Gomelt only seems to play in friendlies - are there still visa problems?

 

[mill]

I really don't see why has Sigs occasionally played wide this season when we've got the young attacking talents we have

 

[al_pacino]

Gomelt only seems to play in friendlies - are there still visa problems?

He played plenty of nextgen games last year.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Seen a lot of Pritchard here and there, will be gutted if Spurs lose him. Great technique, love how he strikes a ball.

 

[Lilbaz]

Are we certain we don't have an option on him? Year extension or whatever?

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

You know I am guilty as hell in spending so much of my time in the transfer itk forum but when you look at the quality and depth of our youth you cant help but believe Spurs are getting it right and I shouldn't worry too much if we don't buy a world class player every day of the window.

Time will tell I know but I would be bitterly disapointed if some of these lads dont break into the first team sometime soon. They are, I believe coached to play like the first team to allow them to fit neatly in when required.

The way the whole set up is working can only give us confidence for the future.

COYS

 

[knilly]

As others have said Pritchard looks a real prospect, would be a blow if we he were to leave. It's difficult in the position we are, but kids need a route to the first team to see if they can handle it. Hopefully the people responsible see it as well

 

[MattWilliams]

A query for those regular youth team watchers among you: are the likes of Pritchard and co anywhere near the likes of say a Raheem Sterling? Basically, do you firmly believe that, given the chance, any of these guys could make the step up now? Years back I used to watch our 'development' teams intently and so many apparent next big things went on to establish themselves in... the lower leagues, rather than making any impact at the top. This batch certainly seem to be performing amazing feats at their level but there's a lot of not-far-off-20-somethings who haven't even left a mark in say, the Championship, yet. Cheers for your thoughts.

 

[Spursidol]

Gomelt only seems to play in friendlies - are there still visa problems?

Came on as a sub in the last Spurs scheduled u 18 match - the day after his 18th birthday. Not sure if that timing is significant (maybe he couldn't sign a full binding contract until 18 or something ?) - or maybe injured in the first part of the season ? Either way before the u 18 game have not seen him play for Spurs even in freindlies since pre.-season.

Hopoefully any problems are now behind him.

 

[IGSpur]

A query for those regular youth team watchers among you: are the likes of Pritchard and co anywhere near the likes of say a Raheem Sterling? Basically, do you firmly believe that, given the chance, any of these guys could make the step up now? Years back I used to watch our 'development' teams intently and so many apparent next big things went on to establish themselves in... the lower leagues, rather than making any impact at the top. This batch certainly seem to be performing amazing feats at their level but there's a lot of not-far-off-20-somethings who haven't even left a mark in say, the Championship, yet. Cheers for your thoughts.

I paid close attention to our youngsters last year, watching NextGen highlights when I could, and watched us face Lpool in NextGen and went to the Barca match this year. For me against Lpool the playesr I remember most from them were Sterling as Id heard about him already Suso, Wisdom and some kid called Ngoo. Sterling had a rep he was reeking havoc but that was mainly because he was so quick. Suso just looked like he could play, Wisdom was decent, adn Ngoo was tall and appeared clumsy. Main reason I remember him. Yet despite that I still thought AP was with Raheem the most dangerous player on the park. He had the most skill and creativity. He also appeared to be the standout player despite the loss against Barca. I still remember his touch to bring down teh ball form Mcqueen when he hit the crossbar. That stays with me as well as when I saw rafa bring the ball down in the circle against Everton. Its simple moments of skill like that when you think to yourself "this boy can play". My brother was convinced by AP and he's not the type to buy into hype.

Despite the loss we then went to Barca and beat them 4-1 with AP scoring and getting 2 assists or something. He can play!

On a separate note I remember last summer talking to someone from Spurs about our club. He works with the youth and I asked about what they thought of AP and apparently that didnt really rate him iirc. But then the same person said to me that they rated Livermore higher than Sandro so take that how you want. haha

 

[Spursidol]

A query for those regular youth team watchers among you: are the likes of Pritchard and co anywhere near the likes of say a Raheem Sterling? Basically, do you firmly believe that, given the chance, any of these guys could make the step up now? Years back I used to watch our 'development' teams intently and so many apparent next big things went on to establish themselves in... the lower leagues, rather than making any impact at the top. This batch certainly seem to be performing amazing feats at their level but there's a lot of not-far-off-20-somethings who haven't even left a mark in say, the Championship, yet. Cheers for your thoughts.

Personally do not like comparing our players to say a Raheem Sterling. When Spurs played Liverpool in last season's NextGen series, Sterling looked a real handful, possibly the best player on the pitch, but overall Spurs team were well and truly head ansd shoulders above theirs in terms of techunique and general playing, even though Liverpool side was full of bigger guys.

Again when Spurs u 21's played ManU u 21's Man U had either 4 ior 5 players with CL experience captained by Fletcher. Spurs did not out of place and nor were they outplayed but lost 2-1. A number of the ManU side are regular fringe players for themn this season.

Coming back to whether our players can make, the answerr is yes, if they get the chance at Spurs or another PL side they will make it. But even at this stage there is a risk factor that only say half or two thirds will make it as good PL players (others may be at bottom PL sides or Championship sides) of our best prospoects which I would suggest are :

Andros Townsend
Tom Carroll
Ryan Mason
Adam Smith
Alex Pritchard
Massimo Luongp
Harry Kane
(Zeki Fryers - on reputatioon, not seen enough personally)

There are a number of players with a lower probability of making it, mainly through lack of experience (eg Dean Parrett Jordan Archer, Ryan Fredericks, Cristian Ceballos) or at this point in time look fantastic prospects but are younger (eg Milos Veljkovic, Tomislav Gomelt, Kevin Stewart, Diominic Balll, Nabil Bentelab, Shaq Coulthirst, Souleymane Coulibaly, Kenneth McEvoy....I will have missed some out of this list).

We really do seem to have a lot of very talented players coming through. However the big problem seems to be to move players from youth football through to the first team - you will see a number of posts earlier in this thread on the subject).

But if we could overcome that problem we could have half Spurs squad being 'club trained' in 5 - 10 years.

 

[IGSpur]

Although I championed for a change of managers and was one of the ones that wanted AVB to come in while obviously thinking it is/was a good decision I think it has negatively impacted upon our youngsters.

Im not suggesting that Harry would have played any of them, as he had his separate EL squad which consisted of youngsters. I dont believe that was integrating them, but I think it has been difficult for AVB this season to play them.

We have to keep in mind that at the start of the year he had to win over half of the Spurs fans let alone the media that were ready to have his guts for garter. Therefore experimenting and integrating the youngsters would have been nigh on suicide. The difference between BR and AVB was that Lpool have a lot less options on the wing and midfield than us, hence Raheem getting his early chance. Same can be said of Suso who is comparable to Joe Allen and prob already better than Henderson. Added to the fact that Lpool at their rock bottom and they all wanted or were happy to have BR it made his job a lot easier and they would have been more patient and understanding of him playing the kids.

AVB would simply not have been afforded the time if we're honest. I do feel though with Mason, AP, Kane, Ceballos, and Townsend the coaches and selectors prob should have advised someone better that we did not urgently need Sig. Was never against having him and although noone could have seen that he would have been as ineffective as he has so far (although he has improved) I think that it was a somewhat unnecessary buy. Esp as apparently AVB didnt request him. Would have been better for our coaches to have shown a little more faith and given at least one of these guys a chance. This is the best Spurs youth team I have heard about since supporting us, and it would be a shame to not see any of them make it COYS

 

[Spursidol]

Btw, list of goalscorers to date in the various youth teams - Obika has 15 between the u 21's and Spurs X1 teams, Mason and Ceballos both 11 in the same teams whilst Pritchard also has 11 split bettwen NextGen, u21's and Spurs X1 games and Coulthirst 12 goals (u 18, NextGen and Spurs X1).

As each player has played a different number of games foir different teams its not possible to compare the players directly - but it is interesting. One thing to note is thatr 14 players have contributed to Spurs having scored the most goals so far this season at u 21 level.

http://www.myfootballfacts.com/TottenhamHotspurReservesAcademy2012-13.html

 

[StartingPrice]

I am not sure at all that AVB coming in has had a negative impact on the youth players.

The fact is that AVB came in as did several players, with three top players departing, for whatever reason - that is the very definition of a transition period. On top of that we had a lengthy injury list - and of 1st team players. This should be seen in the context of AVB's Chelsea debacle - he was very aware, as has been made abundantly clear in his latest interview, that results couldn't be ignored on the basis that he was working on a long-term project. When seen in this light, is it really any surprise that he didn't just shove in a bunch of youth players that he knew nothing about?

I don't believe this effects the long term at all: DL has placed a tremendous amount of emphasis on the youth set-up and a major increase in the value and quantity of the youth product - in terms of time, effort and, most importantly (from DL's perspective ), money, into this. I really can't see him not having discussed it at length with AVB. And I really don't believe AVB has zero interest in promoting from the youth just because he was patently aware of the immediacy of results. I will ask again, exactly how much would he have known of these youth players at the start of the season? His first task, surely, would have been to get to know his 1st team squad. And with so many 1st team players out injured, surely, he would have needed to have maximised every little of experience and ability from those that remained - not push a bunch of inexperienced kids, that he hardly knew, to the fore. Even in cup games, if he is trying to inculcate a winning mentality into the club, surely the last thing he (or anyone else, for that matter) would have wanted to do was chuck some kids in, at very serious risk of elimination, maintain the mythos of inconsistency and exciting nearly men, or run the serious risk of harming the kids' development (any one, or all). It is one of the things 'Arry did very well - with the whole BS of the curse of Gareth Bale hanging around, he waited until we had a game sewn up, and beyond throwing away, before giving the lad his run-out - rather than chucking him into a United at OT maelstrom for his first appearance under a new manager, which could have been a disaster.

All we know, at the moment, is that there is a possible issue with the Pritch (who many of us see as one of our hottest prospects). But that could have arisen anyway. We have no knowledge that Aitch would have fast tracked him. Fast tracking him may be a disaster, in any case. Maybe they are seeing things in training that disagree with his opinion of his development ATM - he would hardly be the first young player to believe he was ready when he wasn't. Maybe his head has been turned - maybe it was turned by all the talk of Real and Barca.

I am as excited as anyone by the changes in our youth set-up, and by the young players we have coming through (who I see as the first fruits of those changes, and, hopefully, not a one-off). And I am as much aware of the Pritch's ability at the level he is playing at at the moment. But I do think there is a lot of second guessing going on here, and a fair bit of trying to read the situation without putting it in its proper context.

Carry on, regardless

 

[ShelfSide18]

I am not sure at all that AVB coming in has had a negative impact on the youth players.

The fact is that AVB came in as did several players, with three top players departing, for whatever reason - that is the very definition of a transition period. On top of that we had a lengthy injury list - and of 1st team players. This should be seen in the context of AVB's Chelsea debacle - he was very aware, as has been made abundantly clear in his latest interview, that results couldn't be ignored on the basis that he was working on a long-term project. When seen in this light, is it really any surprise that he didn't just shove in a bunch of youth players that he knew nothing about?

I don't believe this effects the long term at all: DL has placed a tremendous amount of emphasis on the youth set-up and a major increase in the value and quantity of the youth product - in terms of time, effort and, most importantly (from DL's perspective ), money, into this. I really can't see him not having discussed it at length with AVB. And I really don't believe AVB has zero interest in promoting from the youth just because he was patently aware of the immediacy of results. I will ask again, exactly how much would he have known of these youth players at the start of the season? His first task, surely, would have been to get to know his 1st team squad. And with so many 1st team players out injured, surely, he would have needed to have maximised every little of experience and ability from those that remained - not push a bunch of inexperienced kids, that he hardly knew, to the fore. Even in cup games, if he is trying to inculcate a winning mentality into the club, surely the last thing he (or anyone else, for that matter) would have wanted to do was chuck some kids in, at very serious risk of elimination, maintain the mythos of inconsistency and exciting nearly men, or run the serious risk of harming the kids' development (any one, or all). It is one of the things 'Arry did very well - with the whole BS of the curse of Gareth Bale hanging around, he waited until we had a game sewn up, and beyond throwing away, before giving the lad his run-out - rather than chucking him into a United at OT maelstrom for his first appearance under a new manager, which could have been a disaster.

All we know, at the moment, is that there is a possible issue with the Pritch (who many of us see as one of our hottest prospects). But that could have arisen anyway. We have no knowledge that Aitch would have fast tracked him. Fast tracking him may be a disaster, in any case. Maybe they are seeing things in training that disagree with his opinion of his development ATM - he would hardly be the first young player to believe he was ready when he wasn't. Maybe his head has been turned - maybe it was turned by all the talk of Real and Barca.

I am as excited as anyone by the changes in our youth set-up, and by the young players we have coming through (who I see as the first fruits of those changes, and, hopefully, not a one-off). And I am as much aware of the Pritch's ability at the level he is playing at at the moment. But I do think there is a lot of second guessing going on here, and a fair bit of trying to read the situation without putting it in its proper context.

Carry on, regardless

Broadly agree with your point, although I do think there have been a few instances of where our youth players may have been utilised more, for instance Huddlestone over Carroll in any instance particularly the Cov game, and also would have liked to have seen a bit more Falque, but as you say AVB has the mitigation that he needed results to get the fans/media on board first.

I think the main thing is that we have installed a defined philosophy and playing style throughout our youth set up now that means we are no longer just waiting for a Ledley King to shine through, but instead creating an environment which develops youth players with our philosophy, that our coaches are well educated into that philosophy and hopefully we will bear the fruits of that long into the future. If you install that into your club then losing Inglethorpe and possibly Pritch (however disappointing) is no catastrophe because there will be another load coming along very shortly.

Anyway, massive thanks to SpursIdol for his continued good work on this thread and keeping up in the loop with the youth teams - top work.

 

[The Apprentice]

You really need to stand out these days to make a strong case for a first team chance. It's a tough, tough transition into a Top 4 chasing team.

From games I've watched over the last couple of years, the two players in youth games who have seemed head and shoulders above everyone else were Wilshere and Sterling. It's not enough to just look good at youth level. Not for our level.

I would be surprised if more than one of our current youth players is a regular starter for us over the next 5 years. Happily surprised of course! I would love it to happen.