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

loaderspurs

Well-Known Member
May 21, 2012
576
1,498
v Inter Milan - yes

Tomislav Gomelt made his debut scoring a hatrick in 38 minutes before being sent off (probably a bit harshly) in 39 th minute with the score I think at 6-0. Gomelt and Pritchard were playing at AM's and with constantly changing wings, Spurs wre virtually unplayable, and Inter Milan were playing (or not) like statues all over the pitch. As a potscript - Inter Milan were so shaken up by this match, that they went into intensibve training...and went oin to win the NextGen Tournament. So quite something to thrash the tournament winners 7-1, and if Gomelt hadn't been sent off, a win maybe into double figures.
What's the story with Gomelt? Wasn't it a work permit issue initially? But now they are EU so he should be able to train at the club, rather than shipping him off to espanyol/Antwerp. Always heard good things about him, just worried his development has been stunted due to these issues.
 

Spursidol

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2007
12,636
15,834
What's the story with Gomelt? Wasn't it a work permit issue initially? But now they are EU so he should be able to train at the club, rather than shipping him off to espanyol/Antwerp. Always heard good things about him, just worried his development has been stunted due to these issues.

No real info - but I rather thought that Croatia was still in a transitional phase of 2 (?) years where there was restictions on moving and working in UK.

He's a funny one, he arrived as a Croatia u16 centre forward, and his best game was definitely his best - a hatrick inside 38 minutes. Snce then he's not really done too much at Spurs (and indeed not played too much) and played in positions including left back (at a Spurs X1 v Loughborough Uni) where he did well, then a few loans where the playing time suggests he hasn't convinced. So its vey unclear to me whether he will make it - and at what level.
 

Larryjanta

Well-Known Member
Apr 22, 2014
1,953
5,040
this a great thread guys keep it up! very informative & enjoyable content

Agreed, my favourite thread. Love the passion and enthusiasm you guys show and allows me to drop one of your nuggets of wisdom into conversations with fellow spurs fans that allows me to feel superior to them so, thanks for that.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
Interesting that LLM rates Akindayini, I, and other I speak to have never really been that enamoured with him, indeed last season I think Harrison outshone him when he came into the u18s.

On another note, I'm really looking forward to seeing how our youth progresses from here, and the integration that may happen with the first team, we're hearing all the right sounds, they just need to follow through.

So with that said, I'd be interesting in hearing who you fine fella's want to see more of this season, in and around the first team. I think it goes without saying Kane and bentaleb will be getting games as they are now established first teamers, Carroll too probably. I'd love to see Mason given a proper go if he can stay fit, he has undoubted ability, and our loan system has failed him more than most. Also, though he's not a youngster, I'd like to see falque given an opportunity to show what he can do. Other than that, I think we'll see the odd EL/LC game given to veljkovic, winks, ceballos/mccevoy etc, but too early for regular first team involvement. I do hope we continue giving the top youngsters opportunities to train with the seniors on a regular basis though.


Completely agree re Akindayani and Harrison. Harrison really caught my eye in the Liverpool game, looks very good to me.

I really think Bentaleb could flourish under Pochettino. Carroll should be around the squad as he has good qualities that could also flourish in a quicker tempo game - he looks to move the ball quickly and as incisively as possible - but I've also been quietly impressed with Veljkovic's last two games in the US, it reinforces the bits and pieces I've seen in development games. He seems a cool customer and could solve a problem defensively. I'd like to see Falque and Ceballos given some chances as well. Would have loved to see Pritchard in and around the squad.
 

LukeBB

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
488
1,793
@BenPearceSpurs just tweeted: "#thfc appoint Ugo Ehiogu as coach of their Under-21s, assisted by former academy player Matthew Wells (steps up from role with Under-15s)"

Can anyone enlighten me as to why we may have appointed these two? Matthew Wells must have impressed someone if he's made the jump from u15s to u21s.
 

eddiebailey

Well-Known Member
Oct 12, 2004
7,452
6,672
Seem to recall that Wells was another like McKenna who had his career ended by injury before it had even started. Good that Spurs look after their youngsters this way and give them the chance to get back into the game by another route.
 

newbie

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2004
6,051
6,342
We have a massive squad would Veljkovic and Bentalab count as a squad players they wouldn't would they ? As they are under 21 I can't ember if they have to have played for 3 years in England.

Also i always thought mason was an attacking mid / number 10 ? but I see his playing as a deep lying mid, his actually impressed me more so far than a few other players but I know it's only pre season but be great if he could finally break though I think he has the skill and athleticism for MP systems.

I am hoping we sign an exp Center back and we can give Milo's a few games in cups, I like what I have seen to me he looks safer than Chirches not saying his a better defender just safer as in less crazy.

I look at a lot of players we have signed and think how pointless I do not know if we have a transfer policy which takes in to account our youth system, let's say we have a couple of good center backs coming though why sign VC when should we not sign the equivalent to nay bet to help bring though the next Leadley King?

Midfielders again Paulinho was signed would we not have been better to go for some one who could compliment Carroll, mason, Bentalab ect and play cup games / league games and help teach and bring out there talent
 
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Spursidol

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2007
12,636
15,834
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/under-21s-appointment-250714/

Never heard of this guy. Can you tell us anything about him Spursidol?

@BenPearceSpurs just tweeted: "#thfc appoint Ugo Ehiogu as coach of their Under-21s, assisted by former academy player Matthew Wells (steps up from role with Under-15s)"

Can anyone enlighten me as to why we may have appointed these two? Matthew Wells must have impressed someone if he's made the jump from u15s to u21s.

Ugo Ehiogu was a very good CB who played in the PL a decade ago, and despite being a Spurs fan, we never managed to sign him. He's been coaching part time in the Acdemy (mainly u15's and u16's I think) for the last 2 or 3 years, and apparantly well regarded - Peter Taylor took Chris Ramswey and Ugo as his backroom staff when Taylor was appointed by the FA to look after the England u20 squad at last years u20 World Cup

I'd suggest he's proved his credentials as a youth coach in the acdemy, but it is quite a jump to being in charge of the u21's (but less than the Head of Deelopoment which the Seattle commentator said).

Mathew Wells (as @eddiebailey has said) played in the Academy as a CM, but injured out and has been coaching u15's for a couple of years - think he's in his mid 20's Also apparantly worked in Stevenage's youth set up before coming to coach at Spurs

Good thing with both is that they will have been taught the club's philosophy and practices of youth development, which is a definite plus. Spurs DNA is precious

So a duo with some experience of cpoaching at Spurs, maybe slightly light in experience, but obviously the Club thinks they have the knowledge to do the job. Best of luck to them.....and plunged into the deep with an u21 tournament in France kicking off today
 
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L-man

Misplaced pass from Dier
Dec 31, 2008
9,979
51,364
Going to Peterborough vs Brighton friendly tomorrow.

Apparently McEvoy has gone straight into the squad for Posh

Will let you know how he gets on. Was quite impressive when I last saw him vs Reading U21s at the end of last season
 

Spursidol

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2007
12,636
15,834
We have a massive squad would Veljkovic and Bentalab count as a squad players they wouldn't would they ? As they are under 21 I can't ember if they have to have played for 3 years in England.

Also i always thought mason was an attacking mid / number 10 ? but I see his playing as a deep lying mid, his actually impressed me more so far than a few other players but I know it's only pre season but be great if he could finally break though I think he has the skill and athleticism for MP systems.

I am hoping we sign an exp Center back and we can give Milo's a few games in cups, I like what I have seen to me he looks safer than Chirches not saying his a better defender just safer as in less crazy.

I look at a lot of players we have signed and think how pointless I do not know if we have a transfer policy which takes in to account our youth system, let's say we have a couple of good center backs coming though why sign VC when should we not sign the equivalent to nay bet to help bring though the next Leadley King?

Midfielders again Paulinho was signed would we not have been better to go for some one who could compliment Carroll, mason, Bentalab ect and play cup games / league games and help teach and bring out there talent

For both PL and UEFA, Milos Veljkovic will count as an u21 so not need to be part of the 25 man squad, not sure if Nabil has been here long enough to be an u21 for UEFA purposes oir not, but certainly for PL he would be an u21 - I'd need to check. Both should get a reasonable amount of minutes this season - Milos less so as he's learning the ropes so probably no more than say a dozen appearances, many from the bench I'd imagine

Ryan Mason was a fantastic no 10 in the Academy, scoring about 30 goals in 30 games for 2 successive seasons and was regarded as possibly the best Academy graduate of his generation, before having lots of injuries over a 2-3 yesr period. First saw him playing as a CM in the u21's and he looked very good both in his passing but also not afraid to put his foot in, as well as having a decent shot and free/spot kick in his locker. If he keeps fit, imo he could still be a very decent player for us so hoping that he has a good pre-season and impresses Poch

As the graduates from the Academy start to come through on a regular basis I hope that Baldini starts to take note of up and coming academy players when purchasing outside players - but recognising that he needs ti buy for the present rather than use an academy graduate who might take a couple of yers to reach the same level. However I'm hopiing that enough academy graduates get to become the 'back up' squad player and they then start to move into the 'automatic first team starter' - and in the next 5 years I'm hoping we get to a stage where 30% to 50% of the squad have come through the youth team with an average of 1 or 2 graduates joining the first team squad every year.
 

Air Jordan 3

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
560
1,226
Pleased Ugo has got the job. The players will look up to an ex-international and as mentioned above, he must have proved himself at the younger level.

Really feel the back room staff has been streamlined this year. Have felt for a long while there has been too many cooks behind the scenes.
 

newbie

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2004
6,051
6,342
I think mason has the attributes more so than Paulinho or dembele or Carroll to play in the system MP wants in the deep lying midfielder he can pass, score, tackle, run. Fingers crossed for him.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
Tremendous news regarding Ugo Ehiogu.

Not because I think he'll be a fantastic coach (I certainly hope he will be) but because I have a cat called Ugo who I can now claim is named after a Spurs member of staff.

Hooray!
 
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