The Spurs Youth Thread – 2016/2017

[Luka Van der Bale]

Tainio is an U16 internationally, so 2001 born. Without knowing his date of birth, not sure whether he'd be an U16 or an U15 at club level.

 

[IGSpur]

https://twitter.com/EscapeToSuomi/status/821022949591416833

Anyone know anything about the kid? Big fan of Teemu so great to see.

Apart from the article that announced his signing I know nothing of him, but it sounds like he is a holding midfielder.

Unlike this years first year group, I can't confidently say who I think will be in next years cholars

I'd be surprised if any of the players below were released.

Oluwayemi(GK), KTS, Lyons-Foster (FB), Okedina, Statham (CB) Tainio, Maghoma, Skipp, Bowden (CM) Clarke, Shashoua, Thorpe (W/AM/S)

On average we take between 10-14. There's 13 there. We usually take 2 keepers but don't see a need when Freeman is struggling for games this year. I know KTS is liked though not seen a lot,. Imagine we will take 2 CBs otherwise could leave ourselves short. BLF (Eng), Tainio (confirmed) . All other players are either internationals or highly rates.

Covers a lot of areas, however there is no obvious striker. Maybe one space for either Mukenide (I think converted to one), Richards (main one) or Spencer (not heard about him for a while).

I expect Markanday, De Bourg, Spencer, Mbangi, Elva-Fontaine will be released, and Pochettino (if he hasn't been already)

If I am correct in my guess then we will have the sons of 2 former players in our next intake

 

[IGSpur]

Tainio is an U16 internationally, so 2001 born. Without knowing his date of birth, not sure whether he'd be an U16 or an U15 at club level.

I'd imagine an u16 if he has signed to join for 2 years from July

 

[IGSpur]

To be fair you did with the video.

Could the number 5 be Max Statham if it is not Lyons-Foster?

I am confident it is BLF. Looking at how strong the squad is I wouldn't imagine they'd take Statham over him. Plus I know BLF was definitely there, in some aspect so it must be him. The guy is very wiry like he is

 

[Spurzinho]

Apart from the article that announced his signing I know nothing of him, but it sounds like he is a holding midfielder.

Unlike this years first year group, I can't confidently say who I think will be in next years cholars

I'd be surprised if any of the players below were released.

Oluwayemi(GK), KTS, Lyons-Foster (FB), Okedina, Statham (CB) Tainio, Maghoma, Skipp, Bowden (CM) Clarke, Shashoua, Thorpe (W/AM/S)

On average we take between 10-14. There's 13 there. We usually take 2 keepers but don't see a need when Freeman is struggling for games this year. I know KTS is liked though not seen a lot,. Imagine we will take 2 CBs otherwise could leave ourselves short. BLF (Eng), Tainio (confirmed) . All other players are either internationals or highly rates.

Covers a lot of areas, however there is no obvious striker. Maybe one space for either Mukenide (I think converted to one), Richards (main one) or Spencer (not heard about him for a while).

I expect Markanday, De Bourg, Spencer, Mbangi will be released, and Pochettino (if he hasn't been already)

If I am correct in my guess then we will have the sons of 2 former players in our next intake

I don't think its as clear. I think the following are all in contention. That's 20 prospects in all. We generally don't take on more than 11.

Keepers: Oluwayemi

Defenders: BLF, KTS, Okedina, Statham, Walcott, Binks, Wright

Midfielders: Skipp, Maghoma, Bowden, White, Mandeki, Tainio, P. Patterson

Forwards: Shashoua, Clarke, Thorpe, Richards, Mukendi

 

[IGSpur]

I don't think its as clear. I think the following are all in contention. That's 20 prospects in all. We generally don't take on more than 11.

Keepers: Oluwayemi

Defenders: BLF, KTS, Okedina, Statham, Walcott, Binks, Wright

Midfielders: Skipp, Maghoma, Bowden, White, Mandeki, Tainio, P. Patterson

Forwards: Shashoua, Clarke, Thorpe, Richards, Mukendi

Walcott, Binks, White, Madeuke are all u15s. I'm not sure who Wright is. Luke Wright? If so he is a would be u16 that was released.

Richards and Mukendie are the ones I think would battle it out for striker spot. If I'm honest in terms of what I have seen, if I was to reduce it to 11, I'd release KTS and one of the CBs.

 

[IGSpur]

Have to admit have not seen any of BLF but I do like what I have seen from Statham.

BLF is a very intellignet players who looks very natural on the ball, I do like him. I think he is in the Ogilvie mould. FB but can go CB. He just does not look very strong at all

 

[IGSpur]

Here's the final against Munich

https://www.facebook.com/JECGaildorf/

Goals from TOB x 2, Richards (Maghoma assist) and Griffiths (Lock assist)

Interesting to see how differently we played. We were far more in control, and had most of the ball. De Bie almost came out to the halfway line at one point, their keeper kept punting it straight up the field.

Also amusing that in both games our CB Eyoma was probably the most flair player on the picture, trying to beat mean and doing his stepovers. It's how I remember him when he was in the academy and sometimes how he has played for England. When he feels like he can express himself. He seems to have tempered it somewhat for the u18s even at RB though still looks comfortable on the ball.

Seen the post on the Spurs website

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/academy-triumph-in-germany-160117/

Interesting comments from McDermott abut how little we knew about it and Cochrane having to do some quick research. As he says makes winning it that much more impressive. I assume when he says that age group he means the first year scholars as I know the 01s have been invovled in an indoor tournamanet before which I posted. Either way it would be minimal compared to the Germans.

And I only have seen two games, but as I said above Eyoma was our best player. Wouldn't have been the first POTY he's ever won.

 

[IGSpur]

Just heard on Talksport that Poch's son has signed academy papers. Don't know how much they know about him but they claim he is highly rated. Didn't think he looked bad but didn't think he was one of our best when he played. Granted my effort was just a guess but I'd be shocked if they rated Poch jr that high. Though tbf he is a winger and I only included one outright winger in Clarke, though Mukendie, Thorpe and Shashoua can all play there too. So this could all be plausible, would just be a massive group

 

[thinktank]

Just heard on Talksport that Poch's son has signed academy papers. Don't know how much they know about him but they claim he is highly rated. Didn't think he looked bad but didn't think he was one of our best when he played. Granted my effort was just a guess but I'd be shocked if they rated Poch jr that high. Though tbf he is a winger and I only included one outright winger in Clarke, though Mukendie, Thorpe and Shashoua can all play there too. So this could all be plausible, would just be a massive group

Right or leftie?

 

[kmk]

Just heard on Talksport that Poch's son has signed academy papers. Don't know how much they know about him but they claim he is highly rated. Didn't think he looked bad but didn't think he was one of our best when he played. Granted my effort was just a guess but I'd be shocked if they rated Poch jr that high. Though tbf he is a winger and I only included one outright winger in Clarke, though Mukendie, Thorpe and Shashoua can all play there too. So this could all be plausible, would just be a massive group

Is Dilan Markanday still at the club?

 

[IGSpur]

Right or leftie?

Right whenever I've seen him

Is Dilan Markanday still at the club?

Yes as far as I know. Be a shame for him to potentially miss out next, as he is a good tight space dribbler on the wing and a clever footballer. All very hard to call at the moment

 

[taidgh]

Just heard on Talksport that Poch's son has signed academy papers. Don't know how much they know about him but they claim he is highly rated. Didn't think he looked bad but didn't think he was one of our best when he played. Granted my effort was just a guess but I'd be shocked if they rated Poch jr that high. Though tbf he is a winger and I only included one outright winger in Clarke, though Mukendie, Thorpe and Shashoua can all play there too. So this could all be plausible, would just be a massive group

Think we can afford an extra academy place to keep big Poch happy.

 

[Spurzinho]

Poch Jnr has looked a bit out of place every time I've seen him. I'd prefer to believe that the coaches have seen something in him that the rest of us haven't but Poch Snr could have easily pulled rank.

 

[Spurzinho]

IG, I've got Phoenix's birthday as 1.9.2000 which would make him part of the U16 group, does that tally for you?

 

[IGSpur]

Think we can afford an extra academy place to keep big Poch happy.

I don't know, I don't get to see the u16s as regularly as the u18s. I can go off the few times I've seen the age group, which would be around 10 games from u14s to now, with some age groups more than others. The last time I saw Poc jnr. I would have had Markanday, Clarke, Mukendie, Shashoua, Thorpe as all players who could play on the wing as better than him. I'd be surprised if he suddenly became better than those and 2 of those players may not have space themselves.

I think the max number of players we're allowed is 14, we generally take around 10. Personally I woulnd't say there is space, unless he has drastically improved. At which point it'd be a shame to give him a place because his dad is manager. It goes against what Poch apparently believes in, meritocracy. Again if he has improved then great but it's hard to say.

IG, I've got Phoenix's birthday as 1.9.2000 which would make him part of the U16 group, does that tally for you?

Ye so have I. I just realised I forgot to include him in my suggested intake above, I assume you're making me aware.

So adding him takes it to 13. Adding Poch is 14. With no obvious striker and a couple of talented players missing out. It would also mean only taking one keeper, which I think we should do, but is something I don't remember us ever doing. Real difficult situation for the higher ups

 

[beats1]

Poch Jnr has looked a bit out of place every time I've seen him. I'd prefer to believe that the coaches have seen something in him that the rest of us haven't but Poch Snr could have easily pulled rank.

Just my personal belief but I think you shouldn't have a family member in the same academy as yourself, it tends to create more problems than it fixes from what I seen

 

[taidgh]

I don't know, I don't get to see the u16s as regularly as the u18s. I can go off the few times I've seen the age group, which would be around 10 games from u14s to now, with some age groups more than others. The last time I saw Poc jnr. I would have had Markanday, Clarke, Mukendie, Shashoua, Thorpe as all players who could play on the wing as better than him. I'd be surprised if he suddenly became better than those and 2 of those players may not have space themselves.

I think the max number of players we're allowed is 14, we generally take around 10. Personally I woulnd't say there is space, unless he has drastically improved. At which point it'd be a shame to give him a place because his dad is manager. It goes against what Poch apparently believes in, meritocracy. Again if he has improved then great but it's hard to say.



Ye so have I. I just realised I forgot to include him in my suggested intake above, I assume you're making me aware.

So adding him takes it to 13. Adding Poch is 14. With no obvious striker and a couple of talented players missing out. It would also mean only taking one keeper, which I think we should do, but is something I don't remember us ever doing. Real difficult situation for the higher ups

Oh, agreed, and let me preface by saying I know next to nothing about the rest of the U16 players. Perhaps Poch Jr. has improved, but even\ if it came down to giving an extra spot to Poch Jr, even at the expense of another academy player that was on the cusp of getting a pro deal, I wouldn't be too upset. Family is important, and keeping Poch and his family happy makes sense to me, even when it seems to go contrary to Poch's meritocracy beliefs.

 

[IGSpur]

Oh, agreed, and let me preface by saying I know next to nothing about the rest of the U16 players. Perhaps Poch Jr. has improved, but even\ if it came down to giving an extra spot to Poch Jr, even at the expense of another academy player that was on the cusp of getting a pro deal, I wouldn't be too upset. Family is important, and keeping Poch and his family happy makes sense to me, even when it seems to go contrary to Poch's meritocracy beliefs.

Maybe but does it set a dangerous precedent. Unlikely but what if one of those who missed out becomes a top player.

If Poch is only here for a couple of more years does the kid stay, do we regret letting the other player go?

What do the other players in that age group think, seeing a lesser player kept on how will that affect their motivation in the future, how does it affect team spirit? Knowing that special dispensation will be given to him.

It's unlikely but if he was brought into train with the first team in a year or so's time over another prospect, would it matter, imagine if he was Edwards' age group.

If he was in next years group, would players feel more pressured to pass to him more or look for him, so they look favourable to Poch. These things may play in the back of their mind, and take up just a milliseconds of judgement at the time which is massive in a game.

I love Poch and hope he never leaves, but should it not matter, if he is putting his family before the club, regardless of how insignificant. I mean its not like we're giving him work experience as a coach or scout or something, these are valuable commodities that could affect the future of the club, could this not be a bit too much interference.

More a discussion point I'm raising. At the end of the day, he may have really improved. I'm not even massively bothered by it, as it is unlikely our 14th best player will make it with us, though saying that Livermore was not the best in his age group and he ended up with a cap and making us 8m which was great for us. Maybe the issues above may never occur, but how far do we go to keep Poch happy?

For those interested here is a game of this age group playing. It's not everyone, but it may be interesting. Was posted last year

 

[yankspurs]

Not our academy but found this interesting none the less http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...s-academy-uncovered-alex-inglethorpe-12467809

Inglethorpe said they try to take one agre group to each game. I wonder if we do anything like that.