Academy And Under-23s

Discussion in 'The Team Bus' started by wfc78, Aug 14, 2012.

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  1. reids

    reids First Team

    What's Pleat up to now? Can't seem to find anything on his current role.
     
  2. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    He was supposedly at the game on behalf of Tottenham.
    I managed to leave that important nugget out of my original post, sorry.
     
  3. reids

    reids First Team

    Ah, well that's not good news haha
     
  4. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    Hopefully the conversation I heard & Pleat turning up again is just me putting 2 + 2 together and making 5.
    I think Cassidy is contracted until 2020 so WFC really need to get him to sign something soon unless we have a 1 year option on the existing deal.
     
  5. We hate 48

    We hate 48 Reservist

    Just sitting in his car most of the time - waiting ........
     
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  6. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Where the band title "Scouting for girls" came from.
     
  7. goldpapaya

    goldpapaya First Year Pro

    FA Youth Cup semi final - It's Liverpool away, presumably at Anfield. They beat Bury FC 5-1 tonight.
     
  8. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Well can they keep it below 5?

    I think we won the last time the kids played at Anfield...
     
  9. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    You can't win anything with kids so we have no chance in the U23 cup.
     
  10. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

  11. Whippendell Woods

    Whippendell Woods Squad Player

    luke_golden, GarethCritic and oxhey67 like this.
  12. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    FA Youth Cup semi-final vs. Liverpool will be on Sunday March 17 with a noon kick-off. Some local park pitch called Anfield or something. Never heard of it.
     
  13. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    The U23s lost 0-2 away to Burnley today.

    The home side had Nick Pope in goal and Kevin Long in their line up while WFC had 5 (five) trialists in the starting X! and 6 involved in total.

    The full side;
    Parkes, Bani, Leighton, Adebiyi, Mukena, Cassidy & Trialists x 5.

    MacLean came on for Leighton at h/t.
    Trialist #6 came on for Adebiyi on 65mins.
    Bennetts came on for a Trialist on 70mins.
     
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  14. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    Sonny Blu-Lo Everton is included in Scotland's latest U17 squad for their UEFA Elite Round matches to be played later this month.

    Games against Portugal (March 20), Russia (March 23) & Poland (March 26) form part of the qualifying process for the UEFA U17's European Championship, to be held in the Republic of Ireland this summer.
     
  15. cfdr0ftaW

    cfdr0ftaW Academy Graduate

    For anyone in need of a Watford FA Cup fix today, the U18 match v Liverpool is live here:
     
  16. Nine minutes in and losing already - no thanks...:(
     
  17. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    2-1 now - Cassidy scoring in front of the Kop.

    That's him signing for Liverpool in the summer then..
     
  18. hornetgags

    hornetgags McMuff's lovechild

    2-1 down about 8 mins to go
     
  19. cfdr0ftaW

    cfdr0ftaW Academy Graduate

    Liverpool 2-1 Watford FT

    We did well to stay in it, Liverpool were clearly levels above and could have been out of sight but for some great goalkeeping from Baptiste and poor finishing. Cassidy's finish was typically good - a thumping left-footed shot high into the goal. Gave a good account of themselves overall considering the gap between the two sides.
     
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  20. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

    How good is Cassidy?
     
  21. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    A pity Cassidy snatched at his earlier chance. A lack of composure although you could say that about nearly all the players on the pitch from both teams. However Everton was very measured and calm on the ball, technically adept. Needs to develop more strength in his upper body for certain. Baptiste pulled off a couple of great saves and uses his body well to cover angles. Needs to work on his distribution as he cannot kick for toffee.

    Watson and Rio Campbell looked decent in their cameos and Philips came into it more and more as a determined presence in midfield. Langston (any relation to Matthew oxhey ?) was the most comfortable of the defenders on the ball who although making interceptions and tackles more luck than judgement readily gave the ball away with ease. A very stretched game especially at the end and Liverpool deserved their win. We've definitely picking players from other academies who have been ejected for whatever reason. Watson from Palace and Campbell from Chelsea. As I said both look tricky customers. But Everton catches my eye. Well worth keeping an eye on. Cassidy has a lot to work on his overall game.
     
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  22. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Presumably the best 4 or 5 will be signed on professional contracts by Liverpool in the next 6 months ?
     
  23. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Not after they tried to nab someone from Stoke. Cradle snatchers really. The so called big six are a pretty contemptible lot who live in their lofty ivory tower hurling insults at each other while seeing the rest of the footballing community and that includes international football as an inconvenience to their own sordid squabbles.

    https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ol-banned-signing-academy-players-fined-stoke

    What a punishment. Not even clubs like Stoke or indeed WBA are immune from these parasites who want every possible advantage they can get in an already massively lopsided sport. Why bother having academies ?
     
  24. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Thought these young guys could just up-sticks and move at will like Sancho ? Thought that was why we are so worried about losing Cassidy ?
     
  25. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    I forgot all about the semi-final!
    I was stood in hail and wind watching the women lose 2-4 to Oxford. I now have a sad.

     
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  26. DrewH

    DrewH Administrator Staff Member

    One for you @oxhey67, some of the trialists from recent U23 games:

    Henry Wise (Dennis Wise's son, was at Derby)
    Danny Collinge (recently left Stuttgart)
    Dan Bartlett (Southampton)
    Joshua Malcolm (Palace)
    Courtney Watson (also Palace, although as Smudger mentioned, appears to have signed)
     
    oxhey67 likes this.
  27. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    Nice one @DrewH ! Thank you!

    Dennis Wise was at both the games I saw the player I identified as 'Henry' in action against Leeds, so that adds up. For anybody who has seen Sonny Blu-Lo Everton play, he's a bit like him - both physically and in style - just not quite as good.
     
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  28. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    I've just watched the Cassidy goal for the first time - Dan Phillips winning the ball the way he did with that tackle/pass is a typical part of his game. He's done that so often in the games I've seen him play - a very talented midfielder.
     
  29. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

     
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  30. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    The very definition of "schoolboy defending" for that first goal.
     
  31. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    About Danny Collinge. This was the kid from franchise FC that went to Germany to try and make a career. Bright kid with ability but for whatever reason it has not worked out at Stuttgart.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40642854
     
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  32. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    Two points to end the night with.

    1. The U23s play Bolton at Vicarage Road tomorrow (Friday 22nd) with a 1pm kick-off.

    2. I found the following write-up today on UK Football Trials website (https://ukfootballtrials.com).
    Under the 'Successes and Other' link they highlight players, both junior & older, who have been offered trials at clubs after being spotted at one of their own events.
    There have been a number of Watford 'Success Stories' and this isn't the first to highlight Watford in a very positive way.

    https://ukfootballtrials.com/success-stories/346

    Toby Fisher - Aged 14 - Trial For Watford

    Whilst attending one of our trials in West London on February 21st, 14-year-old goalkeeper Toby Fisher caught the eye of scouts from the Premier League club Watford.

    We caught up with Toby’s father Declan, who revealed that it wasn’t Toby’s first time on Watford's turf, but it was his first time whilst wearing a Watford kit, informing us: “He’s played there before about three years ago, but it was playing for Wimbledon actually against Watford.”

    “It was an interesting experience," continued Declan, "Toby spent about 25 minutes with the goalkeeping coach and then a match which ran for about an hour.
    "There were 3 other keepers so they got about 15 minutes play time each.”

    Whilst Toby's time between the sticks might have been a bit quiet, the 'keeper certainly wasn’t.

    “He didn’t have that much to do to be honest with you, but he was extremely loud and vocal, just as he was at the trial with you guys," said Declan.
    “During the session with the academy goalkeeping coach before the match, I thought he did really well, certainly against the other keepers.
    "What the coach did and in fairness, absolutely should be doing, was test the technical ability of the lads who were there.
    "He was firing firm, adult style shots at under 15 goalkeepers to see what their hands were like, what their body shape was like.
    "He picked up on a couple of the boys that their body shape before collapsing for their saves were wrong.
    "If they also did something good, he was responsive and encouraging.
    "The guy clearly knew what he was talking about and Toby really liked and respected that."

    "Toby will always respond well to the ones that are technically good.
    "The coach was constantly providing them with pointers and helping them with their game.
    "Toby really, really liked the goalkeeping coach a lot.”

    As well as the brilliant staff, both Toby and his father were impressed with the facilities Watford had to offer, with Declan sighting: “The level of the facilities at Watford are extremely high.
    "For example, the dome is brand new with a 4g pitch which must have only been opened in the last six months if that, so as you would expect, it was fantastic.”

    We at UK Football Trials are delighted that Toby was left feeling satisfied about his experience with Watford and that we were able to play a part in it.
    We wish Toby the best of luck with Watford and the future.
     
  33. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    The U23s played a handy looking Bolton side at Vicarage Road this afternoon and came unstuck 1-0.
    A very resilient Wanderers won the game with a dangerous free-kick from the right hand side where a deft touch was enough to put it beyond Parkes.

    A team made up of familiar names with several younger players and two trialists did well until the final third when a well organised Bolton defence allowed barely a sniff in front of goal.

    Adam Parkes was todays keeper. He did well generally but when a ball was played between himself and Watfords defenders he needed to be more positive in either his action or calling. Several times Tom Leighton was left high & dry through Parkes coming, stopping then retreating without saying a word.

    Michael Mullings was back in at right back for his first performance for the U23s for some time (at home at least). He once again impressed with the only real problem being his first touch too often gets away from him. I really like the look of this player though due him still only being 17 yet managing to defend well against much bigger, stronger players than himself. His touch should improve with time.

    Tom Leighton played left back and still looks a little awkward to me. Not quite quick enough when faced with pace and too often out muscled in a battle. He just seems a yard off the pace and it was him who gave away the free-kick leading to the goal when he had to pull the attacker back when caught out of position.

    Joy Mukena was todays captain and looked back to his smooth best in the middle of defence. He'll be 20 later in the year and the club have a years option on his contract which ends this summer. I'll be stunned if they don't take up the further year if not offering him a longer deal before sending him out on loan next season.

    Trialist #1 A tall centre back who was very dominant in the air but also very accomplished with the ball at his feet. Several times all passes were blocked off to him as Bolton often pressed high but he easily brought the ball forward to then find a teammate. He had a decent game before tiring quite noticeably in the final 15 minutes.
    I thought initially his name was Yakim but, don't laugh, I then realised Parkes was shouting 'Back In' for him to drop a little deeper!! I think his name was either Lenny or Benny and I'll take a wild stab in the dark and say it was Lenny Cidolit after doing a search of young defenders on Transfermarkt with the christian names Lenny or Benny! A pure guess though.

    Dan Phillips and Emmanuel Adebiyi showed really well in the middle of midfield while Louis Yamfam (20) looked a handful sitting off the centre forward. His strengths were passing in tight situations, finding space either high up the pitch or dropping deep when Bolton held possession in Watfords half. He can dribble but didn't show enough speed to carry the ball without getting caught when covering a long distance (30/40 yards). Like most of the team today his final ball was either delayed too long or misplaced. Definitely has something about him and for his sake I hope he's a late developer.

    Ryan MacLean played wide right and struggled in the first half. He made some cracking runs forward but was never passed to and Parkes rarely looked to release the ball long quickly despite MacLean being in acres of space. Second half was more solid for him with good moments in both defence and forward play.

    Trialist #2 was on the left and unless he has a twin with the same first name, I'm 99.99% sure was Courtney Watson. I'm not sure why he'd be listed as a trialist again but there you go. He was okay but too predictable when carrying the ball by continually cutting inside. He seems a little lightweight too.

    Jayden Bennetts played centre forward and rarely got a look in due to Watfords too often wasteful final pass. One half chance went over the top in a frustrating game for him but I can't help but think he's better off facing up to defenders with the ball at his feet rather than trying to out jump tall players.

    Sam Sesay came on for Yamfam in the second half but wasn't able to affect the game as Watford looked for an equaliser.

    Before the game and during half-time there were three other players involved with the named substitutes. I'm pretty certain Henry Wise was one of those but the other two I'm not sure of. They may have been trialists or players I just didn't recognise from the academy.

    Finally, a special mention to the man in the sparse crowd who dressed like he was from the 1970s ban The Rubettes in his three quarter length white coat and matching baggy white flat cap. Very dapper.
     
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  34. oxhey67

    oxhey67 Squad Player

    Kieran Holsgrove is currently on trial at Altrincham FC.
    It's not clear if the trial is for a loan or permanent move.

    Holsgrove played for the reserves of the Vanarama National League North side on Wednesday in their 4-0 win over Greenalls Padgate St. Oswald's.
    From what I can gather Holsgrove played the full 90 minutes and is credited with the assist for the second goal.

    It was the reserve sides final league game of the season.
     
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  35. vic-rijrode

    vic-rijrode First Year Pro

    Give us a "G", give us an "R".......
     
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