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

[Blake Griffin]

Unlikely since he would of played anyway as its only 24 hours after the first team played. More likely he is still in Switzerland.

We did struggle to field this side and did have to send some players back

why would he still be in switzerland? ccv and kwp played ..

 

[spurs9]

He needs a year in the championship imo, too many people are expecting him to be a squad player next season. Nick Powell was also brilliant in league 1 and went to man utd being tipped as the next big thing and a season after he had gone backwards. He needs a quiet year away imo

Nick Powell has never played league 1, he did well in league 2. I think Powell's problem was, he went from a good season in league 2 to a year of U21 football, then had a good year in the championship, followed by another year of U21 football.

We need to decide pre-season if we will use Alli a decent amount and if not, loan him to a championship club.

 

[yankspurs]

why would he still be in switzerland? ccv and kwp played ..

Looks like the club bought CCV and KWP back early as there was a game today in that tourny.

http://spurs.to/U18Prague

 

[beats1]

Nick Powell has never played league 1, he did well in league 2. I think Powell's problem was, he went from a good season in league 2 to a year of U21 football, then had a good year in the championship, followed by another year of U21 football.

We need to decide pre-season if we will use Alli a decent amount and if not, loan him to a championship club.

League 2 and he got that much Hype. As for Alli, I think a championship loan would be best as for the good year in the championship, I think thats being generous. His performances for Wigan were good in the first half but he couldn't work his back in to the team in the second half after his injury

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Just finished watching the whole game. Second half until the Cabellos sub Spurs were absolutely superb, thoroughly bossed the game, played higher, pressed harder with snappy high tempo passing and we carved out several great chances, unfortunately not finished by Akindayini and McEvoy.

That's the best look I've had of Winks and he really impressed me, proper footballer, lovely technique, good energy and constantly got his head up. Very impressed with Amos today too considering that was his first U21 game. Showed good tenacity, also nice technique and dynamism and played some good football. I thought McGee was very good and am very disappointed he wasn't on the bench instead of Friedel the other day. It's such a shame that Ceballos didn't want to commit to a new deal, he really is a very talented attacking player and our dynamics changed when he went off because his movement and ability on the ball was causing Cheslea real problems. It also meant we had two right backs down our left side, and while neither let the team down, it made us less offensive that side, and affected the overall balance.

McEvoy worked hard but didn;t make the most of some excellent situations. His final product was disappointing. Akindayini looks a bit limited too. And the game seemed to pass Miller by somewhat. he was a bt more involved second half but I"m not really sure what he is or where his best position would be as he doesn't seem to be involved enough or commanding enough for the "10" position he had today.

Yedlin did OK defensively, and offensively was better when it was straight races down the line than when the interchanges got more complex. CCV was very good, and considering Lesniak is a CM I thought he did OK too.

All in all I think it was a very good performance. The usual good tactical qualities on show, if only the first team could show the same application and cohesion for 90 minutes.

Stand out for me was Winks, best player on the pitch by some distance I thought, his composure, technique and passing on a difficult surface in a frenetic tussle where time and space was at a premium was outstanding.

 

[Blake Griffin]

an annoying thing is i bet rlc/boga/brown/solanke would all get championship loans if chelsea were to loan them out next season, rlc may even get a pl club. would our lads get those loans? i'm guessing not.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Enjoy the 2nd half then

Ha, I certainly did.

 

[spurs9]

Just finished watching the whole game. Second half until the Cabellos sub Spurs were absolutely superb, thoroughly bossed the game, played higher, pressed harder with snappy high tempo passing and we carved out several great chances, unfortunately not finished by Akindayini and McEvoy.

That's the best look I've had of Winks and he really impressed me, proper footballer, lovely technique, good energy and constantly got his head up. Very impressed with Amos today too considering that was his first U21 game. Showed good tenacity, also nice technique and dynamism and played some good football. I thought McGee was very good and am very disappointed he wasn't on the bench instead of Friedel the other day. It's such a shame that Ceballos didn't want to commit to a new deal, he really is a very talented attacking player and our dynamics changed when he went off because his movement and ability on the ball was causing Cheslea real problems. It also meant we had two right backs down our left side, and while neither let the team down, it made us less offensive that side, and affected the overall balance.

McEvoy worked hard but didn;t make the most of some excellent situations. His final product was disappointing. Akindayini looks a bit limited too. And the game seemed to pass Miller by somewhat. he was a bt more involved second half but I"m not really sure what he is or where his best position would be as he doesn't seem to be involved enough or commanding enough for the "10" position he had today.

Yedlin did OK defensively, and offensively was better when it was straight races down the line than when the interchanges got more complex. CCV was very good, and considering Lesniak is a CM I thought he did OK too.

All in all I think it was a very good performance. The usual good tactical qualities on show, if only the first team could show the same application and cohesion for 90 minutes.

Stand out for me was Winks, best player on the pitch by some distance I thought, his composure, technique and passing on a difficult surface in a frenetic tussle where time and space was at a premium was outstanding.

Miller's natural position is CM, but has actually done very good work on the wings and even as a false 9. I think if Miller makes it with us, he will be a utility/Milner type.

 

[DaSpurs]

Just finished watching the whole game. Second half until the Cabellos sub Spurs were absolutely superb, thoroughly bossed the game, played higher, pressed harder with snappy high tempo passing and we carved out several great chances, unfortunately not finished by Akindayini and McEvoy.

That's the best look I've had of Winks and he really impressed me, proper footballer, lovely technique, good energy and constantly got his head up. Very impressed with Amos today too considering that was his first U21 game. Showed good tenacity, also nice technique and dynamism and played some good football. I thought McGee was very good and am very disappointed he wasn't on the bench instead of Friedel the other day. It's such a shame that Ceballos didn't want to commit to a new deal, he really is a very talented attacking player and our dynamics changed when he went off because his movement and ability on the ball was causing Cheslea real problems. It also meant we had two right backs down our left side, and while neither let the team down, it made us less offensive that side, and affected the overall balance.

McEvoy worked hard but didn;t make the most of some excellent situations. His final product was disappointing. Akindayini looks a bit limited too. And the game seemed to pass Miller by somewhat. he was a bt more involved second half but I"m not really sure what he is or where his best position would be as he doesn't seem to be involved enough or commanding enough for the "10" position he had today.

Yedlin did OK defensively, and offensively was better when it was straight races down the line than when the interchanges got more complex. CCV was very good, and considering Lesniak is a CM I thought he did OK too.

All in all I think it was a very good performance. The usual good tactical qualities on show, if only the first team could show the same application and cohesion for 90 minutes.

Stand out for me was Winks, best player on the pitch by some distance I thought, his composure, technique and passing on a difficult surface in a frenetic tussle where time and space was at a premium was outstanding.

I love that the first adjective you use to describe Winks is "composure," as I completely agree. The basics and obvious assets of the composure aside, he just seems absolutely unfazed by anything thrown at him, or any situation that may arise. Have seen loose balls pop up with him under pressure of two defenders, and he doesn't even flinch or flip his head around trying to see where people are, he just quickly brings the ball down and plays away. Is quite impressive for a young player of his age.

It's much to do with this reason why I think he should be one of the first ones we give a run out before the end of the season, and I suspect why indeed he was the first to be given his debut under Poch. He may not be the most outright talented (although he's damn well up there), but his composure, focus, and resolve and the way it manifests in his first and second touch is truly impressive.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

an annoying thing is i bet rlc/boga/brown/solanke would all get championship loans if chelsea were to loan them out next season, rlc may even get a pl club. would our lads get those loans? i'm guessing not.

Firstly, their players seemed physically more developed (or bigger). Secondly, individually they are very good players, possibly better man for man than ours. I think our academy seems to concentrate more on coaching an ethos, some collective cohesion above individuality. I think it's that philosophy that makes our academy teams so good, not that they are chocked full of outstanding individuality necessarily. Of course we have some very talented individuals - I think Winks was the best player out there today - but Chelsea individually were probably stronger.

Or do you have another theory ?

 

[spurs9]

League 2 and he got that much Hype. As for Alli, I think a championship loan would be best as for the good year in the championship, I think thats being generous. His performances for Wigan were good in the first half but he couldn't work his back in to the team in the second half after his injury

It was only a 1/4 of the season that Powell struggled to get back in the side, either way, he hasn't been developed correctly by Man Utd. I also think Alli has had much more hype than Powell did.

 

[jambreck]

Firstly, their players seemed physically more developed (or bigger). Secondly, individually they are very good players, possibly better man for man than ours. I think our academy seems to concentrate more on coaching an ethos, some collective cohesion above individuality. I think it's that philosophy that makes our academy teams so good, not that they are chocked full of outstanding individuality necessarily. Of course we have some very talented individuals - I think Winks was the best player out there today - but Chelsea individually were probably stronger.

Or do you have another theory ?

I remember reading an interview with John McDermott quite a few years back. Spurs actually very much concentrate on the youth players' individual qualities. Their coaching is all about winning their individual battles against their opponents. Certainly in their early development. The team and tactical work comes later.

 

[Blake Griffin]

Firstly, their players seemed physically more developed (or bigger). Secondly, individually they are very good players, possibly better man for man than ours. I think our academy seems to concentrate more on coaching an ethos, some collective cohesion above individuality. I think it's that philosophy that makes our academy teams so good, not that they are chocked full of outstanding individuality necessarily. Of course we have some very talented individuals - I think Winks was the best player out there today - but Chelsea individually were probably stronger.

Or do you have another theory ?

none of them really did it for me individually. it's still the same two as i thought when i first saw them in the fayc game at the lane, dasilva and musonda(who was only a sub today). maybe i hold the physique/height against the likes of rlc, brown and solanke but i'm pretty underwhelmed by them, brown especially i'm not really sure what his calling as a senior player is, with him it's kind of like watching big bird out on the wing. i just laughed when abraham came on, they weren't far off being able to field a pretty decent nba side, i think even the commentators mentioned how they towered above us.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

none of them really did it for me individually. it's still the same two as i thought when i first saw them in the fayc game at the lane, dasilva and musonda(who was only a sub today). maybe i hold the physique/height against the likes of rlc, brown and solanke but i'm pretty underwhelmed by them, brown especially i'm not really sure what his calling as a senior player is, with him it's kind of like watching big bird out on the wing. i just laughed when abraham came on, they weren't far off being able to field a pretty decent nba side, i think even the commentators mentioned how they towered above us.

But that physicality probably appeals to many mangers, they think they are getting a talented kid who's been well coached and who's physically built to cope with the rigours of English football.

 

[Spursidol]

Firstly, their players seemed physically more developed (or bigger). Secondly, individually they are very good players, possibly better man for man than ours. I think our academy seems to concentrate more on coaching an ethos, some collective cohesion above individuality. I think it's that philosophy that makes our academy teams so good, not that they are chocked full of outstanding individuality necessarily. Of course we have some very talented individuals - I think Winks was the best player out there today - but Chelsea individually were probably stronger.

Or do you have another theory ?

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/interview-with-ugo-ehiogu.105881/
Interview with Ugo Ehiogu

'The way that Tottenham teams play is clear and all the coaches know what is expected of them. The emphasis is on technique at a very early age and the idea is to try and produce players who can progress into the first team, or go on and make a living in the game'.

Its all about developing the individual players technique etc

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I remember reading an interview with John McDermott quite a few years back. Spurs actually very much concentrate on the youth players' individual qualities. Their coaching is all about winning their individual battles against their opponents. Certainly in their early development. The team and tactical work comes later.

I've seen and read similar things and of course they work on players individual development too, but the one thing that stands out for me, every time I watch any level of our development teams is this collective, cohesive, tactical awareness that is drilled into them. Our development teams (and this goes back to the first NextGen games I watched a few years ago) all seem to work for each other, all seem tactically well taught.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/interview-with-ugo-ehiogu.105881/
Interview with Ugo Ehiogu

'The way that Tottenham teams play is clear and all the coaches know what is expected of them. The emphasis is on technique at a very early age and the idea is to try and produce players who can progress into the first team, or go on and make a living in the game'.

Its all about developing the individual players technique etc

I don't think it is all about developing the individual players. I'm pretty sure developing players who can "make a living" is all about teaching them how to be part of a team ethos. I think working on individual technique goes without saying, but talent alone won't get you a living, the ability to be useful to a team, no matter how individually talented you are, will.

 

[Blake Griffin]

But that physicality probably appeals to many mangers, they think they are getting a talented kid who's been well coached and who's physically built to cope with the rigours of English football.

i can see the appeal but long term i don't see them succeeding the way their youth résumé would suggest they should. football is generally a small man's game. compile a list of the top 100 players in the world(excluding keepers) and i bet the average height isn't any more than about 5'10. obviously there will be the odd exception but unless you have ibrahimovic levels of ability with the ball then once you start getting past 6'2 then the chances of making it at any position bar cb start to decrease rapidly. maybe i unfairly hold that against chelsea's kids but that 20-25 minute period at the start of the 2nd half where they couldn't get near any of our little'uns would worry me greatly if i were a part of their management team. as @beats1 touched on earlier, players with a physical advantage at that age can pick up some bad habits that won't hold them in good stead for the future.

 

[bilburger]

Saw the whole 90 minutes on tele. Don't normally watch the youth, so was prepared for us to be blown away by a heavily hyped Chelsea contingent. The most gifted players on the pitch, however, were ours.

I gather that McQueen was playing out of position and yet I thought he looked powerful and threatening at LB, especially in the second half.

Yedlin, though much smaller than I expected him to be, certainly looks like a viable alternative to a woefully out-of-sorts (and now injured) Kyle Walker. He's like a Naughton, but with oomph (which I think is the main thing Naughton lacked).

Lesniak was apparently playing out of position at CB, but looked solid. Perhaps this would be a better position for him, long term? When you consider the number of gifted CMs in the sqaud, both in the 1st team and at youth level, might it make more sense to concentrate on learning playing at the back?

We've developed our own hype machine about CCV, but I didn't even realise he was playing until I read this thread. Maybe that's a good thing for a CB?

McGee was faultless, and made one of the best double saves I've ever seen. I'm terrible and judging keepers, but he looks really, really good.

Winks was without dispute the best player on the pitch. Seen the word "composed" bandied by others', but would myself like to bandy the words "direct," "creative" and "threatening." This is a kid who looks to have real talent, but he plays in a position in which it's hardest to get a game in first team pro football. If Winks makes it, I think he'll make it big time. I know I'm slipping into hyperbole here, but I thought he had something of the David Silva about him...

And thus concludes my youth scouting report from someone who has no experience of scouting or watching youth football.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

i can see the appeal but long term i don't see them succeeding the way their youth résumé would suggest they should. football is generally a small man's game. compile a list of the top 100 players in the world(excluding keepers) and i bet the average height isn't any more than about 5'10. obviously there will be the odd exception but unless you have ibrahimovic levels of ability with the ball then once you start getting past 6'2 then the chances of making it at any position bar cb start to decrease rapidly. maybe i unfairly hold that against chelsea's kids but that 20-25 minute period at the start of the 2nd half where they couldn't get near any of our little'uns would worry me greatly if i were a part of their management team. as @beats1 touched on earlier, players with a physical advantage at that age can pick up some bad habits that won't hold them in good stead for the future.

It's an interesting theory, really not sure how it actually holds up. This "best" players thing is incredibly subjective, I think the general average height of men influences things as well. I can think of a fair few 6ft+ players who were pretty damn good Ronaldo, Bale, Matic, Toure, Ibra, Zidane, Vieira, Petit, RVP, Reus, etc) It's very much a positional thing as well isn't it.

Didn't @KingSRV say that Chelsea are now actively scouting for smaller players ?