Thanks again @reids. I notice they're swapping between 3 and 4 at the back according to the team layouts but always persist with 2 DMs. If we don't produce at least 1 decent DM in the next few seasons I'll be surprised and disappointed in equal measures!
It's good that you two keep us up to date with the lesser known statistics etc. of WFC, keep up the good work guys
The goals from Watford's 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday U18s on Saturday. The first is an intricate corner piece routine(!!), the second shows the benefit of keeping the ball moving before being closed down. It looks simple but it's all about the timing of the passes. Nice.
Several interesting names coming up from the U18 sides put out so far this season. A couple of goalkeepers have played who are currently listed with other clubs, so presumably they're on trial. Joshua Roach(e) is 17 and is another West Ham United player turning out for a Watford side. The other keeper is Adam Hayton (16) who only signed a 2-year scholarship at Tottenham in May. It seems strange he's now playing outside of the Spurs set up. Junior Nkwonta (16) can play centre-back, right-back & defensive midfield and was released by Manchester United at the end of last season. He's been on the trial circuit since being turned down by Tottenham in May, with Reading, Peterborough & Exeter all supposedly having a look. He played for the U18s on 17/10/20 but not since so there's a good chance he's moved on already. One player who does seem to be affiliated with Watford is 15-yr old Basilio Rieno Socoliche. The Spanish born midfielder also qualifies to play for Guinea and England. He started out with then local side Euro Dagenham before joining the Reading academy in December 2014 after trials with Arsenal and West Ham. It's unclear when he joined Watford but judging by the videos on his Youtube page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPfbe4VkGs5sJTxaklpEd7Q/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=1) it looks like this season will be his third year with us. He looks to have decent dribbling ability, a nice touch and an awareness of when to pass. He can also finish in a variety of ways as shown by the video below. There is also a player called Ndah, initial M, but I've yet to find details for him. Despite results, the individuals I've seen so far for the U18s look very adept with the ball and most are able to beat the closest man to create space and time to pick a pass. Decision making is still causing problems but generally it looks like there are some very good young footballers at the club. It's also good to see we're not just picking up big strong athletes who can bully their way through youth football. Instead the emphasis looks to be on a players ability with the ball. What I've found curious so far is the confidence of some players. Damani Hunter (16) for example, who looks very dangerous either out wide or up front against players of a similar age has struggled in the U23 games he's featured in so far. Despite his small stature Hunter is very stocky and obviously strong as he's rarely knocked off the ball, even when playing against much bigger boys. However, when he's in the U23s it's obvious he's somewhat affected by playing outside of his comfort zone and his movement and touch is nowhere near as confident as it is for the younger age group. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes him to settle playing not only against but with more experienced players. The same can be said for Shaqai Forde, Kamil Conteh and Dominic Hutchinson. It's early days for me seeing the majority of these players and I'm trying to be as objective as possible, but I think there are some encouraging signs in the U18 and below players. No superstars waiting to leapfrog into the 1st team, just a good set of individuals for this age group. And with players aged 17-19 regularly playing for the U23s I'm more hopeful for what the academy are doing now than I was a year or so ago.
I used to be involved with a local football team that had a youth side and a couple of men's teams and it was amazing that so many kids who were good players in the youth side were never quite the same when they made the step up to men's football. It wasn't a size thing for a lot of then, in fact some of the lads were even bigger than the men they came up against, they just never grew up mentally as players and were psyched out by older more experienced men.
It happened to me as player VoR. Comfortably jogging along and impressing people up to the age of about 15 and then BAM! I just couldn't get to grips with the intimidation I suddenly encountered from the older kids and young men. I also wasn't playing with people I considered mates and although I did okay, I was never able to enjoy playing in that atmosphere. It's a part of development that's a lottery as to how youngsters react to it, certainly when I was a kid, and is nigh on impossible to factor into stats & charts. Right, time to do some work otherwise I'll be 'intimidated' by someone again!!
Maxwell Ndah is the son of George Ndah, the former Palace, Swindon & Wolves forward. He's probably 17-yrs old now, he's a winger and due to his name being absent from most searches and team sheets I'll assume he's on (or been on) trial at Watfords academy. Max signed for Walton Casuals academy aged 16 in August 2019 on first team forms. https://twitter.com/WaltonCasualsFC/status/1158389287773233154?s=20 His history is somewhat lacking in detail and he appears to have joined Staines Town later in the year in some capacity, being part of their 1st team around September 2019. He also trialled at Colchester United this time last season after apparently impressing league clubs while at Staines. edit: I've watched the 60 minutes he's played so far this season (x1 game) and I'll be surprised if he makes another appearance. It's unfair to judge anyone on just an hours football, especially as it was played with a young U18 side including one other outfield trialist, but I didn't see anything which stands him above other players in his position (wide left) who are at the club already. In fact young Socoliche (15) replaced him and showed some lovely touches, better positioning and just a general awareness I didn't pick up on with Ndah. Saying all that, I'll check the official site in 10 minutes to read he's signed a long term deal and is now on loan at SC Unpronounceable in a Segunda B regional division. One thing which has stood out at this level so far is the number of players who favour their left foot. Manning (17) in midfield, Hunter (16) wide or up front, Socoliche (15) out wide and Galvez (15) as a left-back all help balance the side or offered problems to their markers by making less obvious runs with the ball at their feet. Manning also looks half decent at set-piece delivery. Not great (yet) but his technique is half decent with either a moving or stationary ball. Hayton the trialist keeper was another left-footer though the impact is obviously less so.
Derek Agyakwa sounds a determined young man. http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-youngster-wants-become-best-role/
A 3-2 win for the U23s today against Birmingham City. Neither Watford or City offered too much by way of match detail other than the Blues were 2-up after 30 minutes. Watford drew level before half-time and sealed the win with a third in the second-half. Interesting to note there was just the one U18 player starting today, Jack Burchell (17) - three if we count Lo-Everton & Hutchinson but I think they're now seen as U23 players despite being just 18-yrs old - and a positive result was attained. Team: Parkes (20 - g/k & ©), Barrett (21), Stevenson (20), Burchell (17), Statham (20), Perkins (20), Crichlow (20), Trialist (??), Hutchinson (18), Lo-Everton (18), Hungbo (20). SUBS: Forde (16), Marriott (16 - g/k), Lawal (17), Trialist (??), Trialist (??) The goals came from Crichlow, Lo-Everton and Hungbo.
I doubt there are too many in the squad who'll be wanted by league clubs but no need to wait until January as they can go out on loan at any time to a non-league side. Baptiste & Roberts, the two keepers, seem to be having 1-month youth loans separately from each other to help their development. It would be good for Barrett to get some first team football somewhere, the same for Hungbo, Crichlow and Phillips, but I imagine a lot will be determined as to who is considered back-up for the first team. As for the goals today, Birmingham have the following descriptions on their site. https://bcfc.com/news/articles/2020/report-blues-under-23s-2-watford-under-23s-3/ 0-1 - The Blues winger [Kyle Hurst] displayed some lightening footwork out on the left touchline, darting between two Watford defenders and charging into the box. With a trio of Blue shirts up in support, Hurst opted to go alone and found the top corner with the aid of a slight deflection which sent the ball looping beyond Parkes. 0-2 - [Miguel] Fernandez was starting to find pockets of space and after wriggling free from two challenges inside the box his goal-bound effort struck the arm of a Hornets defender. There was no doubt as to who was going to take the resulting spot kick. The Spaniard calmly stepping up to slot the ball low into the corner. 1-2 - [Teddy] Perkins sprayed a diagonal pass out to Crichlow who cut inside and bent the ball past the outstretched Elias Rouse with the help of a slight nick off Joe Redmond. 2-2 - Joe Hungbo, surrounded by three Blue shirts, showed some nimble footwork on the edge of the Blues box before teeing up Blu Lo-Everton. The creative midfielder controlled the ball with his first touch and with his second, sent a rasping drive off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net. 3-2 - [Toby] Stevenson overhit his left-wing set play but Hungbo scampered across the pitch to keep the ball alive. The pacey wide man wriggled free of Mitchell Roberts, shifted the ball onto his left foot and whipped the ball inside the far post.
I've managed to find out who the trialists were for the U23 game against Birmingham City via this teem sheet. The starting player was once again Phoenix Patterson (20), an attacking midfielder previously with Tottenham Hotspur. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/phoenix-patterson/profil/spieler/503698 Sub Trialist #15 was Chi Ezennorim Ezennorim doesn't come up in any search whatsoever, either on football sites or google. He's either aged 17 or below & still part of academy football in the UK, a player totally unaffiliated with any pro/semi-pro club in the UK or, considering the name, from abroad and possibly from one of the many soccer schools/academies now becoming more prevalent in Africa, Asia and, well, everywhere but not yet attached to a pro club. Sub Trialist #16 was Louis Walsh (20), a right winger who has been released by Nottm. Forest. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/louis-walsh/profil/spieler/632376 He's a southerner though from where exactly isn't specified and his main attributes upon signing for Barnsley a couple of years ago were said to be his speed and technique. THIS Louis Walsh NOT THIS Louis Walsh
Watford U18s didn't have a league fixture this morning, instead playing a friendly away at Bournemouth which finished 3-3 at a somewhat wet & windy Canford Arena. No, I don't know what that is either. Bournemouth do have an academy twitter feed though, unlike our own useless media team who seem to have forgotten anything exists away from the 1st XI, and provided the following goal descriptions if not team news for our boys. 0-1 - The ‘keeper misses the ball in the rain, Roberts profits and lays back to Pollock who blasts home from ten yards! 1-1 - The wind plays a major part as it blows a Watford cross from the right straight in. 1-2 - A good team move and in [sic] ends with Burgess firing home a low shot to reinstate the lead. Half-time 1-3 - Adams adds his name to the scoresheet with a well-taken finish. 2-3 - All about the deflection as the shot wrong-foots Clarke and nestles in the net. 3-3 - The ball sticks in the turf by the byline, Watford scramble and are able to put the ball home. They don't seem to like giving any credit for goals they concede do they!
A question here - as you say, the name sounds very foreign - can players with no work permits play for the youth teams (even on trial)? I didn't think that was allowed (although obviously not knowing any details of this particular player and their circumstances) - for instance we couldn't have Penaranda or JP play for our youth teams until their permits were sorted?
The honest answer is I didn't even give consideration for the need of a work permit or visa if Chi Ezennorim comes from abroad. I was and still am stumped the name shows zero matches on a google search. I've had a quick look around for information on the basis he's still at school age and found the following, dated September 2019; https://ukfootballschools.com/blog/overseas-players-wanting-to-play-professionally-in-the-UK This is the relevant section and it would seem to be possible to play for academy sides but not sign permanently for them. ...players can come to the UK on different visas, live here, be scouted and train for a football clubs academy (but not signed!). The most popular visas we have come across are either a ‘Tier 4 Child’ visa or a ‘Tier 2 Dependent’ visa. Here is a little about them both; • Tier 4 Child Visa – staying on youngsters, this visa is granted to those up to 17 years old and is a study visa. This visa is granted for those coming to the UK to board in a Independent School (not a state funded school), amongst other eligibility requirements, such as being able to demonstrate enough money to cover course fees and living costs. • Tier 2 Dependent Visa – your parent/s have been granted a Tier 2 Visa in the UK and the child is coming as a dependent. A Tier 2 visa is granted to adults, who are known as ‘skilled workers’ and are coming to the UK to work for a company who will (and can) sponsor the visa. For example, a footballer’s children. It then goes onto say how difficult it would be if the player is 18 years or over and gives some explanation as to why the likes of Penaranda and JP couldn't be played.
A couple of pictures from the 3-3 friendly draw versus Bournemouth earlier today, and a light drizzle appears to be falling. Jack Broome is the most central of the three Watford players, possibly Kamil Conteh on the right but I'm not familiar with the player on the left. I think this is Jordan Harrison doing the breast stroke at a sodden Canford Arena.
I find it a bit random with the match day team sheets as some clubs name the trialists while others don't. Watford haven't done so for as long I've been going. As it stands with information for the U23s/18s and the academy, it's almost non-existent from the club now and what is officially out there rarely gets updated. Maybe they're short staffed, possibly due to Covid, but it really feels like they're paring back what gets put out. I also found out today the club are asking the official supporters group for the women's team - a group backed by WFC - not to release information before the club do. I noticed today the official site released the news a player had left the team yet this was something the supporters group were told a month ago! The person who told me, the fella who does the @LoanWatford twitter account, is as frustrated as I am.
Michael Folivi, released by Watford at the end of the 2019/20 season and who played many times under Hayden Mullins for the U23s, looks like he'll join his former coach at Colchester United some time today. Folivi has been a free agent since leaving Vicarage Road.
Now confirmed Folivi has joined Colchester on a 1-yr deal. https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2020/november/michael-folivi/ He's been around awhile yet still only 22. Hopefully he'll develop and make his mark in the year he has at United to earn a longer deal. He generally impressed for the U23s and I hoped he'd stay and get a chance here. Though, after not exactly setting the world alight at Wimbledon and then getting injured it was inevitable he would leave I guess. I managed to speak to some of his family once and they were so friendly and welcoming it made me want him to succeed even more. Hopefully this season works out for him.
Part I of IV from The Academy Football Network featuring Omar Riza, who talks about U23 football. For those unable to watch YouTube or who prefer just to listen, here is the TAFN podcast link. https://academyfootballnetworkpodca...ate-of-u23-s-football-with-omer-riza-part-1-4 It isn't particularly in depth or an easy watch/listen. The main things I took away from this part were; results aren't paramount, players aren't expected to be the finished article by 18/19, the system currently in place isn't seen as good as it can be and player development it isn't just about playing football but as much about the mentality of becoming a footballer. I'll try to remember to post parts II, III & IV when they appear.
Watched a group of U23’s play at Hertford Town last night...no team sheets, but after a sticky start ( 4 open goal chances missed!!), some good incisive play. Mind you our HTFC first team are probably younger than these!! For those who remember him, Ben Herd is our manager... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The U23 side lost 0-3 to an in-form Sheffield United this afternoon. The Yorkshire club are now unbeaten in 6 games and have won the last 4. Team: Parkes (GK) (C), Barrett, Stevenson, Burchell, Statham, Perkins, Crichlow, Trialist, Hutchinson, Lo-Everton, Hungbo. Subs: Trialist (GK), McKiernan, Lawal, Forde, Trialist. Despite having the better of the early exchanges Watford went 1-down after 16mins before 2 goals in 2 minutes right before half-time meant the game was effectively over at the break. It sounds like United controlled the 2nd-half through possession if not chances. United's coach Paul Heckingbottom said after the game, "We were excellent without the ball from start to finish and nobody could have argued if we'd scored more goals. We've got real momentum now and the team is playing really, really well." If I find out who the trialists are I'll post them here as & when.
Thank you, though I have to say that a lot of what I'm able to post comes with help from Reids and others not on this forum. I'm just a conduit for the information garnered by others far more qualified than I am.
Andy Scott had the idea of B teams didn't he before he left? https://elliotmurraywfc.wordpress.c...tfords-did-too/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
The starting trialist against Sheffield United was once again Phoenix Patterson. United have kindly put todays goals online via their development squad twitter feed and Patterson can be seen wearing the #8 shirt. As for the goals, it's safe to say we're trying to play out from the back but that obviously comes with certain risks. Oops. https://twitter.com/sufcdevelopment/status/1324759714547273731?s=20
Watford not really helping with identifying the trialists from yesterdays U23 loss against Sheffield United.
