The All New Spurs U21, U18 & Other Youth News Thread

[IGSpur]

My definition of making it is having a successful pro career - making a living from football till you retire in your thirties.

Agree, and in that sense we have at least 10 that I can say will make it, and they could all stand a chance doing it with us.

I love this thread because there is no pettiness no negs even when IG gets all ghetto and uses a word we take to mean fail but means success. well done people.

Mate you genuinely made me laugh. Great thread great posters

I can't wait for the likes of Pritchard, Carroll (although, i don't think he'll make it here long term, I would love to be proven wrong!), Veljkovic, Alli, Winks and Onomah to be given a chance to replace some of the wastes of space we have in the first team right now. It shouldn't have taken the absolute mess we now have to tidy up in our squad to make the club realise we need to focus on the youth and that the players need to be given a proper chance and some trust. Everyone that is a regular reader of this thread needs to make sure that the club never forgets what has happened over the last couple of seasons!

We could sell Kaboul, Capoue, Adebayor, Dembele, Soldado and Paulinho and replace them with all of the ones you have mentioned and not lose anything to the squad actually most likely improve it and I believe that wholeheartedly. Most wouldn't take a space in the squad and the money gained could be put towards a couple of striker, Ings on a free and maybe another.

 

[IGSpur]

I am underwhelmed by AVB and MoPo. Why has MoPo been playing the likes of Capoue?
Too many "shop window" selections this season.

I believe MoPo will do better and integrate more, but I really think he has been told to try and get money back on these and to give em some games. After this final on Sunday with us purely able to focus on the league there is very little need to rotate player like Paulinho and Capoue in, so ideally I would start giving their spot on the bench to youngsters so we can bring them on if we are ever cruising.

 

[Flobadob]

80m spent on capoue, paulinho, lamela and soldado. two years later and they'll have been usurped by bentaleb, mason, pritchard and kane

This is why I don't really understand the fans that still maintain that these players are worth keeping around. We have all that money tied up in these players, but we have academy produced players with true passion, either at the club or on loan, with a level of skill that is not far from the level of these guys. We need to sell up and reassess THOROUGHLY where we should reinvest all that money. I can't even describe how disappointed I would be if we kept these players at the club and let the same situation happen again. The difference is this time those players will be overtaken as fringe players and we could wave goodbye to any chance of recouping a decent chunk of the money we have invested

 

[jambreck]

I am underwhelmed by AVB and MoPo. Why has MoPo been playing the likes of Capoue?
Too many "shop window" selections this season.

How many minutes of first team football has Capoue had since the first few months of the season?

Not many, I'll wager.

Paulinho, and Soldado have had a bit more but have clearly been second choice - the latter mostly because even Harry Kane needs a rest every now and then.

Chiriches has only had the occasional game.

To be honest, the only big signing I can think of who has been given plenty of playing time without having done a huge amount to justify it is Lamela.

 

[prawnsandwich]

I believe MoPo will do better and integrate more, but I really think he has been told to try and get money back on these and to give em some games. After this final on Sunday with us purely able to focus on the league there is very little need to rotate player like Paulinho and Capoue in, so ideally I would start giving their spot on the bench to youngsters so we can bring them on if we are ever cruising.

Business is business. We obviously have to maximise the value of our players. Normally that would not not be a major issue. But we have so many potentially great players not even getting a sub spot.
Will Levy take this massive hit and get the potential going? I think he has to wipe his mouth with up to £50 million.

 

[IGSpur]

This is why I don't really understand the fans that still maintain that these players are worth keeping around. We have all that money tied up in these players, but we have academy produced players with true passion, either at the club or on loan, with a level of skill that is not far from the level of these guys. We need to sell up and reassess THOROUGHLY where we should reinvest all that money. I can't even describe how disappointed I would be if we kept these players at the club and let the same situation happen again. The difference is this time those players will be overtaken as fringe players and we could wave goodbye to any chance of recouping a decent chunk of the money we have invested

I think we should still keep pressing with Lamela. He does what Poch wants but while he may have not measured up to what we had hoped and can be a little frustrating his output is still in the top 5 for this season, while not playing to his full potential. He would have had another assist if Soldado tucked like he should have and also when Kane missed in the 6yard box against Burnley. I wouldn't put Lamela in their bracket, he does way more than them, is younger and still looks like he could do more.

How many minutes of first team football has Capoue had since the first few months of the season?

Fair but I specifically remember Poch bringing Capoue on instead of Onomah against Besiktas and my heart sank. It's times like that where I think he has had the opportunity to backed out. Hopefully he will now just sack these guys off and go with the youngsters. My biggest fear is not enough of them getting a chance, due to overloaded squad and the sheer number coming through.

 

[prawnsandwich]

How many minutes of first team football has Capoue had since the first few months of the season?

Not many, I'll wager.

Paulinho, and Soldado have had a bit more but have clearly been second choice - the latter mostly because even Harry Kane needs a rest every now and then.

Chiriches has only had the occasional game.

To be honest, the only big signing I can think of who has been given plenty of playing time without having done a huge amount to justify it is Lamela.

Games when these guys have played or been on the bench are games where the youth have not been involved.
I completely understand why big money signings are playing. Do they deserve to be playing? That is the issue.

 

[Flobadob]

I think we should still keep pressing with Lamela. He does what Poch wants but while he may have not measured up to what we had hoped and can be a little frustrating his output is still in the top 5 for this season, while not playing to his full potential. He would have had another assist if Soldado tucked like he should have and also when Kane missed in the 6yard box against Burnley. I wouldn't put Lamela in their bracket, he does way more than them, is younger and still looks like he could do more.[\QUOTE]
Yeah, I do agree he is probably worth persevering with, I just think we could easily do better. IMO someone like Mirallas or similar would be perfect for us in terms of improving on a big deficiency we have in the squad and also would be fairly easily attainable IMO. I'm willing to give him more time to prove himself, but the things he lacks as wide attacker are power and aggressiveness in the way he plays. One is a physical attribute, the other a mental one, but IMO not many players ever go from being as passive as Lamela is to being very aggressive players from my experience of the game and players development. A good sports psychologist could do wonders for him if they got it right, but it's a long shot for me

 

[MetalFace D]

Keep a eye on Joe Muscatt a Left back with brilliant passing ability he has a fantastic engine and can make overlapping runs all day but the most important thing is you can see he has a football brain and knows what he is doing without looking spectacular.

When i was reading his Q&A on Spurs' website, this snippet really stuck out to me.

What player would you like to emulate? Frank Lampard (pictured, right).

What are his qualities? I like the fact that he was not the most naturally gifted but he realised what he was good at and perfected it. Also he improved his weaknesses and didn’t settle for average, this is what makes him a great player. It is that commitment and dedication to reach the highest level that I appreciate the most. He is a great example to any emerging player that you can achieve what you want if you work hard enough.

Very down to earth and you can see that he doesn't overestimate himself, seems like a great lad.

 

[edson]

The other day Joe Muscatt was playing behind Azzaoui who is a player I rate highly but is a bit greedy but does make and score goals anyway 3 or 4 overlapping runs screaming for the ball by Muscatt and Azzaoui never used him once, most players would have the right hump and stop making the runs but credit to him he just kept on making the runs until Azzaoui went off injured in the second half a very good attitude for a young player to have.

 

[jambreck]

Very down to earth and you can see that he doesn't overestimate himself, seems like a great lad.

And assuming that the interviewer didn't paraphrase or put words into his mouth, then this interview also suggests that he's more articulate and intelligent than the average footballer. Like Lampard.

 

[spursfan77]

Highlights of the U18's 4-1 win v Arsenal:

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/u18-arsenal-home-highlights-260215/?

looks like we could have got a few more than just 4 goals. Hard to see the gulf between the teams there in the highlights but if the scoreline is reflexive of it then there is a large one.

 

[spursfan77]

This is why I don't really understand the fans that still maintain that these players are worth keeping around. We have all that money tied up in these players, but we have academy produced players with true passion, either at the club or on loan, with a level of skill that is not far from the level of these guys. We need to sell up and reassess THOROUGHLY where we should reinvest all that money. I can't even describe how disappointed I would be if we kept these players at the club and let the same situation happen again. The difference is this time those players will be overtaken as fringe players and we could wave goodbye to any chance of recouping a decent chunk of the money we have invested

I think it will all become evident in pre-season in the summer. These players (soldado, Paulinho, Capoue etc) will all still be around, Pochettino will involve the youngsters like he had to do with Mason last summer and it will become evident as to what needs to happen. Surely everyone will at the club will be able to see that if they don't realise it now, then surely they will then. If not we might as well all give up as its just never going to happen (integration of the youngsters and selling of of bigger names) if it doesnt over the next 6/7 months.

 

[newbie]

This is why I don't really understand the fans that still maintain that these players are worth keeping around. We have all that money tied up in these players, but we have academy produced players with true passion, either at the club or on loan, with a level of skill that is not far from the level of these guys. We need to sell up and reassess THOROUGHLY where we should reinvest all that money. I can't even describe how disappointed I would be if we kept these players at the club and let the same situation happen again. The difference is this time those players will be overtaken as fringe players and we could wave goodbye to any chance of recouping a decent chunk of the money we have invested

I agree I like the guy but after last night could anyone argue RS offers anything and Ade, capoue, kabs didn't even make the flight. It's a shame shaq has not pushed on as right now there's would be a spot with his name on.

 

[newbie]

I think we should still keep pressing with Lamela. He does what Poch wants but while he may have not measured up to what we had hoped and can be a little frustrating his output is still in the top 5 for this season, while not playing to his full potential. He would have had another assist if Soldado tucked like he should have and also when Kane missed in the 6yard box against Burnley. I wouldn't put Lamela in their bracket, he does way more than them, is younger and still looks like he could do more.



Fair but I specifically remember Poch bringing Capoue on instead of Onomah against Besiktas and my heart sank. It's times like that where I think he has had the opportunity to backed out. Hopefully he will now just sack these guys off and go with the youngsters. My biggest fear is not enough of them getting a chance, due to overloaded squad and the sheer number coming through.

I agree but mo po is in a no win situation look at the crap sherwood got for playing bentalab it's tricky situation playing a 17yrs old over a big money signing.

 

[IGSpur]

I agree but mo po is in a no win situation look at the crap sherwood got for playing bentalab it's tricky situation playing a 17yrs old over a big money signing.

Of course some parts of the fan base will give him stick but that's where Sherwood had the balls to do it. He dropped a big signing for a youngster in the premier league and results were just as good Yet he and Bentaleb took so much criticism. But would anyone argue he is our best CM now. That's where I give Sherwood credit he stuck with his beliefs.

If against Besiktas we were a goal down but already qualified. There was no risk if anything it would make more sense to bring on a creative player than a defensive mid but he opted not to for whatever reason. I hope he takes more risks in the future. The rewards will be so much greater

 

[chrisd2k]

Its sometimes nice to escape the first team in here lol

 

[MetalFace D]

Its sometimes nice to escape the first team in here lol

Definitely. By far my favourite thread.

 

[Mouse!]

The three players who fucked up last night (Soldado, Fazio and Vertonghen) were our three oldest outfield players. A poignant example of age and experience being irrelevant if the mentality and heart isn't there.

 

[newbie]

Of course some parts of the fan base will give him stick but that's where Sherwood had the balls to do it. He dropped a big signing for a youngster in the premier league and results were just as good Yet he and Bentaleb took so much criticism. But would anyone argue he is our best CM now. That's where I give Sherwood credit he stuck with his beliefs.

If against Besiktas we were a goal down but already qualified. There was no risk if anything it would make more sense to bring on a creative player than a defensive mid but he opted not to for whatever reason. I hope he takes more risks in the future. The rewards will be so much greater

but you have to remember he is manager for one of the most trigger happy clubs in the EPL