Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
Was he signed as an U21?
Was he signed as an U21?I think being fully involved in first team training & activities for a while now shows FL and the coaching staff believe he has the ability to be at that level. There is only a select few fo the u21s that have gone to Portugal. I think it's fair to assume those that have gone over there are highly thought of young players, who have been given the opportunity to put their cases forward to be involved for the season.
The proof will be on the pitch in league matches. I'm particularly intrigued by the noise around Kai Andrews, not just from those at the clubI think being fully involved in first team training & activities for a while now shows FL and the coaching staff believe he has the ability to be at that level. There is only a select few fo the u21s that have gone to Portugal. I think it's fair to assume those that have gone over there are highly thought of young players, who have been given the opportunity to put their cases forward to be involved for the season.
Was he signed as an U21?
As much as everyone finds a new signing exciting i would genuinely be delighted if one of our youth team came through at this level, its not something that happens too often here. Kind of class Raphael as one too even though of course we signed him for peanuts.The proof will be on the pitch in league matches. I'm particularly intrigued by the noise around Kai Andrews, not just from those at the club
Its interesting that both are being spoke about highly in the Lampard interviews. He's renowned for giving young players a chance so fingers crossed at least one of them breaks through this seasonAs much as everyone finds a new signing exciting i would genuinely be delighted if one of our youth team came through at this level, its not something that happens too often here. Kind of class Raphael as one too even though of course we signed him for peanuts.
Was he signed as an U21?
What are you basing your assessment on ?If Kai Andrews isn’t going to be in and around the starting eleven, in other words, if he’s just going to be on the bench every week with no game time, then we might as well send him out on loan to League One, perhaps to a club like Lincoln City or Barnsley.
As for Rafael, I don’t think he’ll make it at this level, especially as we’re trying to push for a top-six finish in the Championship. At the risk of leaving us a bit thin, he could also benefit from a good loan move.
Honestly, just a general gut feel and what has gone in the past. I genuinely hope I'm wrong because would love to see young lads come through, would love it. But if you take Rafa for example, how much football has he played? He needs minutes!What are you basing your assessment on ?
The noise coming out of preseason is that both are performing above expected levels
If the coaches who see him train every day think he’s not good enough then fair enough, but you cannot make this statement based on how little you have seen him playIf Kai Andrews isn’t going to be in and around the starting eleven, in other words, if he’s just going to be on the bench every week with no game time, then we might as well send him out on loan to League One, perhaps to a club like Lincoln City or Barnsley.
As for Rafael, I don’t think he’ll make it at this level, especially as we’re trying to push for a top-six finish in the Championship. At the risk of leaving us a bit thin, he could also benefit from a good loan move.
I think having a successful stint in the SPL and then sending him off to League One doesn't make a lot of sense either .If the coaches who see him train every day think he’s not good enough then fair enough, but you cannot make this statement based on how little you have seen him play
If you read what I have said, I'm talking about game time, not how much I rate them.If the coaches who see him train every day think he’s not good enough then fair enough, but you cannot make this statement based on how little you have seen him play
why? Have you seen the state of the SPL?I think having a successful stint in the SPL and then sending him off to League One doesn't make a lot of sense either .
I doubt Rafa would have had a run of games for any club last season , he wasn't physically up to the levels of the professional game. Feedback this summer suggests he's baulked up and looks in better shape , his ability was never in doubt . Hopefully he can push Saka for a start on the right sideIf you read what I have said, I'm talking about game time, not how much I rate them.
Coaches have seen Rafa in training, none of them have seen him play a consecutive run of games, because he hasn't had any. Hence why I feel he might not get any with what's ahead of him, thus maybe a loan is best option.
Have you seen the state of League One ?why? Have you seen the state of the SPL?
Honestly, just a general gut feel and what has gone in the past. I genuinely hope I'm wrong because would love to see young lads come through, would love it. But if you take Rafa for example, how much football has he played? He needs minutes!
Retaining both with a view to getting games when required due to fitness and injuries , if they are both deemed close enough to the levels needed , would save us much needed funds for other areas of recruitmentThat is the sort of decision that will be made after pre-season. It would not surprise me if we don't keep him under our wing and coaching to make sure his fitness levels are right. A loan decision might wait until January.
This is spot on.I used to always question why some teams like to have large squads, and someone I know in football said that for a team to be successful you need to have a good opposition, when you are training. It's no good having 15 odd great players and then an adaquate mix of subs and U21 making up the numbers, you need to have 25 potential starters on the training field. If we are content with the squad we have now we cannot be sending our 'elite' youngsters off to other teams we need them training. Likewise, we need the older players like Allen and Bidwell to also be part of the training program. We as fans only see the 90 minutes on a match day whereas FL and his team need the other 5 days to train, assess and pick the team.
There are certainly a few U-21s at preseason and I would imagine that a select few take part in training at home when requiredDo the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?
Based on Frank’s interview this week it appears only a selected few get to step up to first team training. It’s not all under 21’s or even the majority.Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?
SometimesDo the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?
He's no longer qualifies as an U21. If he's not out on loan he'll be listed amongst the senior players.I dont know. Probably as he was alwasy talked about as being a "project" as such. But he is an u21 by definition, so why people have to try and cast him aside as not good enough is a bit silly really. Especially when the experts, our coaching staff, seemingly like what they see everyday.
Generally used to fill in when numbers short/injuries/internationals etc.Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?
Where do you see him ?He's no longer qualifies as an U21. If he's not out on loan he'll be listed amongst the senior players.
I didnt say they have a good defence now, just that that is the way to goThe thing is, you can't 'soak up the pressure' against the majority of Premier League teams, because before you know it you're picking the ball out your own net for the 3rd time.
And they don't have a good defence now they are in the Premier League.
People really underestimate how big the gap is. I think they will struggle to get to 20 points.
I personally think of the promoted sides that Leeds have the best chance as they will score goals and sneak a few wins especially at homeI didnt say they have a good defence now, just that that is the way to go
You have Wright and at a push DaSilva and MvE/KKH who can play further up .
We literally cannot cover every single eventuality
I meant in respect to the first team or out on loan?He was 21 September 24 last year. They take their age at the start of the calendar year. So would have been classed as under 21 last season.
As much as everyone finds a new signing exciting i would genuinely be delighted if one of our youth team came through at this level, its not something that happens too often here. Kind of class Raphael as one too even though of course we signed him for peanuts.
You can say that about centre backs , full backs and midfielders. It's the cost and need that would need to be affordable and pragmaticIf MvE stays you could probably manage - but he's not
Winger is where you definitely need 4 quality players to rotate throughout a season
Andrews had rave reviews after his stint in the SPL last seasonI think if there was someone capable of playing in a top end Championship team among our youth players we would already know, and they would probably have smashed a loan in L1.
If you have good centre backs, its rare that you openly look to rotate them.You can say that about centre backs , full backs and midfielders. It's the cost and need that would need to be affordable and pragmatic
Yep - we have always struggled when one of our wingers has been out injured. When Saka was out, we had noone for the right and tried playing BTA and Tavares out there as we were down to bare bones. When EMC was out, Wright was injured for a while and we struggled.If MvE stays you could probably manage - but he's not
Winger is where you definitely need 4 quality players to rotate throughout a season
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