What's new

The Spurs Youth Thread - 2018/19

Spurzinho

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2016
2,513
8,342
Sherwood talks a good game. He was also an excellent advocate for the U21 group he worked with. Whether he would have been quite as brave with those that came after who can say, it's a different ball game then. What went against him, and frankly always will, is that he is a completely self-serving, narcissistic, disingenuous, chancing, politicking, weaselly, gob-shite, bell-end.

...To return to my point, Sherwood had every reason to put his faith in the likes of Kane, Bentaleb,Townsend and...I forget who else, because the seniors were massively under-performing and any success story from the youngsters would be a gold star for Sherwood because he could say "I trained them, I gave them their chance. Their success is my success". As someone else pointed out he was far less of a gambler as the Villa manager. He had a look at what they had and chose to stick with the over-paid wasters that had been failing to perform for the previous several managers. If I remember correctly it wasn't until Remi Garde that some of the youngsters like Robinson, Green, Toner, Lyden, Grealish. etc started to come through.
 

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
7,939
13,758
So went to the game yesterday and saw another excellent performance. The score could/should have been in the double figures. I think we hit the bar once, the post at least once, missed a penalty and the keeper saved a few one on ones. I never seen such a fluid and entertaining team at this level. I'm serious when I say some of the link up play and lay offs that lead to chances drew applause from myself and others even if ultimately they didn't go in. I don't think individually the players are necessarily the best we've had, though they are all very good, but it must be what Wells has got them doing which is a massive testament to him. If we forgot about the amount of goals we've scored I was reliably informed by @LMcCand on twitter that it was just over 3 per game before yesterday, we have also only conceded 1 goal in the last 3 u18s matches I've watched, without sacrificing our style of player.

We are still passing it out from the back, I actually can't quite put my finger on why we're not shooting ourselves in the foot as much as usual. Better CBs with the ball at their feet? Wouldn't necessarily say so as Eyoma was/is excellent and Tanganga similarly good. Dinzeyi maybe not as good though, plus it's not like BLF was playing. Maybe the keeper is a bit more composed or commanding and giving better instructions. Or maybe the midfielders are even more understanding of the appraoch and better coached to deal with creating space and receiving the ball from the CBs than before. Shashoua and White are excellent. But whatever it is, it's mightliy impressive and we haven't had to turn into a Stoke to do it.

Oluwayemi - Can't remember him making a save, otehr than same simple ones of freekicks maybe. I'm guessing though, I know I saw the ball in his hands at least once though. Very vocal though

Cirkin - Just a nother good game. Gets up and down the wing very well, excellen timing of his runs and timing of passes I think. Will play the ball inside the full back or outside for the winger with the right weigh. Good decision making, and a good head on him. Good an assist with a good cross

Binks - As the game started I was talking to Windy and mentioned Binks' ability to play Tobyesque balls, right on cue in the first 5 mins he has absolutley nailed one straight to Markanday's feet. Hard to gauge how good eh was defensivley as we were all over them, but his ability to help start attacks is probaly his UPS. I've said it before but between the long passing and the slick back hair he is clearly our Toby at the back. He has also grown a lot

Statham - another solid game from him today with Binks. He was also showing off his ability to play the diagonal and absolutly nailed one picking out CLarke's run on teh left wing. Was the best one I saw yesterday undfoutneatne that CLarke couuldn't contorl it as it would have surely led to a chance. Doesn't do them as much but clearly has it in him. Think it is a clear tactic being used. Pleased to see him looking the part

Tainio - Another solid game from him, very steady eddie but I it's good we have a competent right back in this group who can perform at a good level

White - Once again his wand of a left foot really caught the eye. He whipped in an excellent freekicks, and I think got a couple of assists or pre-assists with some excellent passing, and crossing. Really good performance from him again and look forward to seeing a lot more.

Shashoua - Another quality game, some of his play was exquisite. I think he comes alive most around the box and under pressure. He has excellent control of the ball when dribbling, an eye for a pass, a bit of tenacity and yet a very calm head. Hit the bar with a curling effort

Clarke - was completely on top of his full back. Scored a well taken goal curling the ball into the top corner. Beating his man with ease however I'd argue again he probably tried to get his shot off too much when he could have looked to square the ball. He would do a step over and then go down the outside in the box and nail a shot with his left from a tightish angle. There's the debate about whether an element of selfishness and belief is good, and tbf when we're winning 7-0 he's not costing us anything but I would like to see him use his teammates more. Scored another goal but I can't remember it. Was one of those invovled in the penalty debacle as he clearly wanted his hattrick.

Patterson - Similar to last week I feel he was trying a bit too hard in teh first half and the play broke down a couple of times with him, however much improved in the 2nd half and a constant threat, carrying the ball and looking to create. Overall he had a good game, however it didn't end well when he missed the pen. My understanding is Patterson used to be the penalty taker for the u18s and main set piece taker. Cirkin was brought down in the box. Clarke went over wanting to take the pen and Patterson had the ball under his arm and Parrott was around. Bit of a 'debate' being had, nothing really bad, but I think Patterson really needed this. The coaches could see what was going on, and started shouting for White to take it as he is the penalty taker. White came forward, has words with Pattesron then stepped back to let him take it. Patterson then missed. I don't think ti was a bad penalty but more of a good save from the keeper but unfortuante and Patterson was immediately subbed. Tbf the subs were warming up beforehand. There didn't seem to be in ill feeling from the ocahces to him as they comfroted him as I think they understood how he felt. You could argue White was very selfless or that he should be a bit more forthright and take the ball, but he does seem veyr much like a team man, and wants everyone to do well, to his credit.

Markanday - Another stellar performance, his bal carrying and quick feet were a problem. Scored a good goal, getting on the end of a cross. The keeper made a save, he good the ball I think dummied a defender and then buried it. A ccouple of times he could have laid the ball of earlier but that's being very critical

Parrott - had a very quiet game considering how well we played. Probaby our 'worse' performer on the day but got a goal and an assist. Things just weren't sticking for him and missed a chance or two I think. The good thing, is that it did look like a bad day at the office, and you could tell he should be doing a lot better and still affected the match

Subs
Thorpe - Finally I got to see him play. I reckon they are watching his fitness as one he has shot up and 2 he is still very skinny and I imagine they are handling his development carefully. When he came on his clearly looked the part in the no.10 role. He was the man on the end of the best move of the match but the keeper pulled off an excellent save. Would have been great if he finished off, and got him on the scoresheet. Hopefully start to see him more. It says a lot about this group, that we still have him waiting in the wings

Pochettino - picked up a goal for himself. On the end of a cross I thought he would take it first time, but controlled and put it into the top of the net good finish and well composed.

Okedina - Wan't on long but again looked solid.

Our u16s drew 2-2 with Norwich on the other pitch
 

therhinospeaks

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2014
667
818
Great write up Carl.

They are the most technical side we've had in my memory. We've finally got a entire group of defenders and pivots who can play it out from the back with ease. It's commendable we've been banging this drum for years but it's only now they can all do it.
 

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
14,133
38,225
onomah starts away to bristol city, game is on sky.

edwards very quiet yesterday and subbed after 60. to be fair excelsior rarely even got into the final third so not the best conditions for him to perform, think he could do with dropping deeper to try and start moves when his team are on the back-foot.
 

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
14,133
38,225
onomah with his 2nd assist of the week, nice ball played into the area for joao to cut inside and score. he had a pretty lacklustre first half an hour but has gradually grown into the game and has helped wednesday control the 2nd half.
 

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
7,939
13,758
I don’t want to dampen everyone’s day , and I am not having a negative impact on our u18s winning ability , but I do feel matt wells is beginning to sound like one of these managers to win at all cost to further his career . Example , take today’s game against Norwich bottom of the u18 league , surely we should have used today’s game to play players that hardly get a game and perhaps some u16 , eg Thorpe , Rafferty pedder , Chay cooper, Kacper , could have started the game but 2 of them were not even on the bench , perhaps starting okedina Mukendi and Thorpe instead of benching them , considering some of the boys already played 3 days ago . So what I’m trying to say is as sherwood is saying some of these boys are giving the easy pass to further their careers in a quick and easy route and they are normally the ones that fail as they haven’t had to graft and go through the tough process , whilst others who are just as good but are not in the said chosen group , for whatever the reason , are left out and given a tough pathway . By us winning 6 7 8 nil week in week out at u18 level is not benefitting anyone but the managers . But at U23s level that is a different ball game so by winning at that level you begin to attract the other teams to take our boys on loan for men’s football or even for a permanent move . So maybe wells would be a better option as an U23s manager ? This is just my opinion

I don't really think it's different other seasons, the PL Cup we will play more of a rotate team, I reckon Pedder is still injured and I think there are some issues with Thorpe. Cooper featured in the PL Cup as well. Kurylowicz situation atm seems no different to the Freeman situation strangely so I don't think Wells is doing anything strange. I also think Okedina is being eased in after injuries and we've always had players like Mukendi e.g Oteh, Mukena who never really got many games.

I don't share your concerns at this point, though I don't disagree with Sherwood. Tbh this wouldn't be an issue if we weren't wasting game time on someone like Pochettino Jr. Okedina didn't play again, but then Binks hasn't played in the last few games. Walcott has been injured, we have a lot of players and some will just miss out. I think it's a delicate balance. I'd also argue that generally the ones being left out aren't just as good as the ones that generally start, but of course that's a matter of opinion too. Especially in previos age groups where players like Lloyd Ross were being left out.

I see what you are saying about Wells being u23 manager but I think starting out as u18s is more sensible than u23s. THis is the most structured and fluid I've ever seen them. He may get promoted and then takeover the u23s and hopeully have them playing good football. Also the issue with the u23s is I don't think any of us are really sure who runs things there, looking at team selections on some occasions, so I don't know if Wells would be hand tied if he moved up.
 

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
7,939
13,758
Btw apparently they were showing the West Ham drubbing highlights in the reception area at the weekend, so annoyingly they have it on video but haven't released it for public viewing
 

mill

Well-Known Member
May 21, 2007
10,385
37,100
Sancho is obviously one of the most talented of his generation but even if players such as Bennetts or Griffiths or the ex arsenal kids who went abroad turn into £40m or £50m players my point stands imo, plus how many more young English kids will be looking at Sancho and thinking abroad is the best route to success
 

Westmorlandspur

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2013
2,685
4,499
Don’t think the under 23 is a great job for anybody as they never get the chance to forge a proper team. All sorts of players come in and out...very little continuity.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
The sun, I know, are saying the the top six apart from City are all after Sancho with Dortmund wanting over £100m for him. Whilst it’s most likely bollocks I do wonder how many times a similar situation will happen over the next few years before the penny drops for pl clubs to realise how wasteful they are


https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...o/news-story/f1b1c9ff0512d6d2e40b2b9ac24bed1c

I thought he was really happy in Germany though?

Personally would love him, although to be fair to us I'm pretty sure we were said to be pushing hard for him but City were being a tad wankerish.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
Sancho is obviously one of the most talented of his generation but even if players such as Bennetts or Griffiths or the ex arsenal kids who went abroad turn into £40m or £50m players my point stands imo, plus how many more young English kids will be looking at Sancho and thinking abroad is the best route to success

English clubs will simply put buy back clauses in a sensible prices to stop massively inflated fees I suspect.
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
Cant put clauses if players are leaving before signing long pro contracts
On Sancho's buy-back clause:

Dortmund have moved to protect their asset by tying him up with a new contract until 2022 and, if he does move, City are believed to have a 15 per cent sell-on clause.

If they want to take him back to the Etihad Stadium, they had a buy-back clause inserted in the contract which saw him move to Dortmund.

That means if City match any fee offered for Sancho, they will get first refusal.

The player insists he has no ill feelings towards the Blues, who left him out of the US summer tour in 2017 as he was stalling over a new contract, and he reacted by failing to turn up for training.


https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...news/jadon-sancho-transfers-man-city-15256640
 
Top