Dante Baptiste became the third academy 'keeper to go out on loan this season when he joined Hendon on a youth loan yesterday. Hendon play in the Southern League Premier Division South and are currently 19th (4th from bottom).
Ryan Cassidy played 86 minutes for the Republic of Ireland u19s on Thursday in their 2-1 loss against Switzerland u19s. He doesn't appear to have had any direct involvement with Ireland's goal. Cassidy was then a substitute today, coming on after 68 minutes with his side already 9-0 up over Gibraltar u19s. Ireland eventually won 13-0 with Cassidy scoring the final goal in injury time. Their final game of the week will be on Monday 19th against Austria u19s.
https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/und...ne-has-been-supporting-me-especially-chalobah A nice piece off the official site about Kane Crichlow's recovery from his broken ankle and the support he's received from a few of the 1st team squad. He also states he broke his other ankle at a similar time last season while at Wimbledon. Hopefully any surgery he's had on both along with the physiotherapy and recovery work will make his ankles less inclined to snap in the future!
oooph! The u23s lost 3-0 away to Charlton this afternoon. The side wasn't changed a great deal, no Callum Whelan in midfield though (Adebiyi & Wise occupied the middle two positions) and Lo-Everton started behind centre forward Dalby. All the goals came before 30 minutes were up with the second coming from the penalty spot. Charlton climbed a place to go 3rd with the win and are now six unbeaten, while Watford remain top.
Academy player Bosun Lawal was named as a sub once more for the Republic of Ireland's u17 match versus Israel u17s. He did manage to get on today though, in the 76th minute with Ireland already 4-1 up. He's supposedly a tenacious midfielder and he became the fourth player to be booked for Ireland late on. The game finished 4-2 to the Irishmen.
Oh well - cannot win them all ! According to some bloke on the Charlton forum we were outplayed 1st half but should have scored a few in the 2nd.
Ryan Cassidy (wearing #9) leading the line for the Republic of Ireland u19s right now versus Austria u19s. Link below for live stream on YouTube
Cassidy taken off after about 70 minutes with Austria 1-up so I've stopped watching. Horrible pitch and a very niggly game with Ireland down to 9 men when Cassidy was subbed. Austria very, ahem, professional at times in how they played the Irish and the ref.
Dante Baptiste (17yrs old) played just his second senior game tonight and was Hendon's penalty shoot-out hero. Playing Hayes & Yeading United in a Southern League Cup tie, Hendon fought back from 2-down to draw 2-2 and take the game straight to penalties. After ten spot-kicks each Hendon went through 7-6. According to the Hendon website Dante saved four penalties, including two in sudden death, with a save low down to his right to send his side through. Baptiste's debut on Saturday ended in a 0-2 defeat away to Swindon Supermarine.
Looks like Callum Whelan has impressed QSF as he is included in 1st team training more and more. https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/under-23s/whelan-sanchez-flores-always-encouraging-me He didn't play for the u23s on Monday so has he made the transition to the senior squad for the time being?
Good to know that there is a pathway to the first team squad for these guys. I haven't seen Whelan play at all but I know you've picked him out a few times Senor Recluse. Has the other CM we signed in the summer, Dele Bashiru, been playing in the U23s at all? He came quite highly rated but I haven't heard much about him since.
I've been keeping an eye out on his name and haven't seen it in U23 squads but could be wrong. I think he was on the bench mainly for Nigeria U23s in the last international break so probably quite a distance from our first team.
nornironhorn is correct in saying he hasn't featured at all for the u23s. When he signed it was said he would be a part of the 1st team squad so I guess they're keeping a close eye on him within that group. He came on for 18 minutes against Coventry, replacing Sarr, in the League Cup, was an unused sub against Swansea but not in the squad against Everton. As nornironhorn also mentioned, he only got off the bench for Nigeria in the final AFCON u23 group game when they played South Africa (0-0) where he played the final 17 minutes. The previous games against Ivory Coast (lost 0-1) and Zambia (won 3-1) he didn't come on and Nigeria didn't make it through to the next stage.
Been disappointed with Cassidy this season. After having a great season with u18s last season I think the step up to u23 has been too much for him
He played mostly for the u23s last season and looked better once Folivi moved to Wimbledon on loan. This season he is recovering from an injury/operation and has barely featured. He's also not a guaranteed starter anymore with him & Dalby looking to lead the line with others playing just behind.
Yes looked decent at both levels last year that's why I'm disappointed. If he's recovering from injury fair enough but must be over it by now or the international team would not have selected him. I can't see him lasting past this season to be honest, especially with Dalby in great form
I'm sure he is over it but he's missed a pre-season and is far behind in terms of fitness and match sharpness. It's no bad thing he's not playing every week after coming back from injury as it should help deter any secondary injuries. We need more than one forward at that level and the competition will do them both good.
Time will tell if it's the injury or if he just is struggling with the step up to U23. I would say since he has plenty of game time under his belt including international games it's not the injury or match fitness. Doesn't come close to Dalby in my opinion.
Yep I've been saying this for a while. From July: "whenever I've watched the youth games or highlights with him in I've been very underwhelmed [by Cassidy]"; "Cassidy has never really stood out to me whenever I've seen him"; "I wouldn't even be surprised if the lad Dalby we signed from Leeds turns out to be a better player." http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/ryan-cassidy.55340/page-2#post-2761953 "I have been saying already that he [Dalby] seems impressive. Who needs Cassidy and Cucho?!" http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/sam-dalby.56024/#post-2762683
100% spot on. Dalby has all the attributes for a great No9 ,really excited to see his progression this year.