SlowerThanPlatt
Well-Known Member
Full-time and the U23s lose 2-1 to Millwall. George Thomas equalizing with his 8th of the season before Millwall regained the lead. No wins in 3 now for Nicky Eaden's side after winning 7 in a row
Is It related to the switching of roles between 1st team and reservesFull-time and the U23s lose 2-1 to Millwall. George Thomas equalizing with his 8th of the season before Millwall regained the lead. No wins in 3 now for Nicky Eaden's side after winning 7 in a row
Is It related to the switching of roles between 1st team and reserves
Likewise with JF
Cov Kid James Maddison fully expects former Coventry City team-mates Ben Stevenson and Cian Harries to make it all the way to the top.
The trio are a shining example of the value of the Sky Blues Academy that keeps on producing talented players that make it to the first team and make money for the club when, inevitably, they’re sold on somewhere along the line.
Maddison was the latest in a long line of home grown stars to be cashed in, moving to Norwich City just under 12 months ago in the January transfer window for an undisclosed fee believed to have started at around the £2.5million mark when the Canaries were still a Premier League club.
He’s since gone out on loan to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen and at the weekend played in the biggest game in his young career in the Scottish League Cup Final, losing out 3-0 to Celtic at Hampden Park.
But the Coventry-born player will never forget his roots and continues to keep tabs on his home town club and his best mates in football, Ben Stevenson and Cian Harries, with whom he grew up in the same year group at Allard Way.
“They are two young lads who have come in to the side with real quality and if they get right amount of experience and keep developing I’m sure they’ll end up at the top level,” said Maddison, who has been back to see the Sky Blues twice so far this season.
“It’s great to see two young lads who I have grown up with now playing in the side. I have always known Ben’s quality and I always knew he would come through. It was just a case of waiting for his time.
“A lot of people compared me and Ben even though we play in different positions. When I broke through to the first team I was more of a No.10. We played together in midfield for the youth team where I was more of an attacking player and he was more of a holding, defensive player and there were so many players ahead of him.
“But I always knew that he would get his opportunity and that when he did he would come through with flying colours because he’s a class player and I think that’s there for everyone to see.
“It’s no surprise that he has just got a new long-term deal, the same as Cian, and they’re great signings for the football club.”
The 20-year-old is also a huge fan of Harries, whom he’s convinced will become a permanent fixture in Mark Venus' side before long.
“I think it’s part of the modern day game that centre-backs can play the ball out with their feet,” he said.
“That’s probably why John Stones went from Everton to Manchester City for £50million.
“Cian is absolute quality and you can tell from just watching him for five minutes that he’s a good footballer. He’s always working on the physical side of the game and I’m sure that when he’s got the manager’s full trust that the gaffer won’t be able to leave him out.”
There will be bumps along the way, of course, as there are with all young players who suffer the occasional loss of form as Maddison did during his loan-back period at the Ricoh Arena last season.
Harries started the season and then had a spell on the sidelines before emerging again in more recent weeks while Stevenson is about to embark on a three match ban after being sent off against MK Dons with his first red card of his career.
Asked if he’s got any advice for his close friends and former team-mates, Maddison said: “It’s about having that self belief.
“Towards the end of last season from February onwards the whole team, including myself, had a dip in form and that’s part of football. There’s no getting away from it and you have to hold your hand up and realise that at some point you will have a dip in form.
“I am a confident lad and have always believed in my ability. It’s important not to focus on what other people say or what the fans say when things aren’t going well. They just want the team to do well.
“It’s just a case of using any negativity to push you on and get your form going again. And both Cian and Ben have got the character to bounce back from any set-backs along the way.”
Stedman really could be the new Maddison. Plays in the number 10 role behind the striker and has a sweet left foot.
Friend in football that knows I support Cov told me that there are a few scouts at our U18s games the past few weeks. I think they were looking at Finn and Stedman. He works for an agency rather than a team, but it is still interesting to know that a few of the youngsters are being looked at in that capacity - as well as potentially by higher up teams.Team was:
Skuza, Hickman, Thompson, McMahon (C), Camwell, Doyle, Johnson, Stedman, Finn, Hendricks, Smith.
U16s were also victorious, winning 2-0 against the same opponents. They're having a good season too, some promising players, think they've only lost a few games.
Darragh Leahy played the full 90 minutes in Nuneaton's 4-1 win over Alfreton earlier.
Also, an U17 side will face Nuneaton U19s at Liberty Way on Monday the 12th of December. Kick-off is at 7pm and entry is £1.
Friend in football that knows I support Cov told me that there are a few scouts at our U18s games the past few weeks. I think they were looking at Finn and Stedman. He works for an agency rather than a team, but it is still interesting to know that a few of the youngsters are being looked at in that capacity - as well as potentially by higher up teams.
I know you probably didn't name him on purpose, but would that be Blaine Rowe? Another name I saw recently with regards to potential England under 16s invites.Both are really good players so it doesn't surprise me. Kyle has been with the club since U8s (+ Camwell and Ford) and he's always been highly rated coming through the age groups. Ponticelli might get the rave reviews for his goalscoring exploits but I think the club really like Kyle and have high hopes for him.
There's another player in our U16s who I'm sure agencies/other clubs are watching too. He played 70 mins for the U16s against last Saturday against Millwall before coming on for the U18s for the last 15 minutes and winning the penalty which Camwell scored from. He's a genuine prospect, he's only slight but he'll never need to be bigger or quicker than he is at the moment. He can change direction freakishly and I've never seen a player so technically gifted playing for our academy sides.
Still a long way to go for him but it's more about the pure joy of watching a talent like that in our academy that we have developed and are still developing.
I can't imagine we'll lose any players though. We've only lost one player to an EPPP fee and that was Sambou because he felt he deserved to be in the first team. I'd like to think we're a big enough academy to keep all of our prospects, there's a clear pathway to the first team and players get the opportunity to move up the age groups quickly providing they're good enough.
I know you probably didn't name him on purpose, but would that be Blaine Rowe? Another name I saw recently with regards to potential England under 16s invites.
Oh my word. Some of the goals on his Instagram are ridiculous. A link for those who haven't seen - https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.ngandu/It's Jonathan Ngandu. He's an attacking midfielder but he does play in the U16s with the player you mentioned.
I remember watching him play for the U18s against Ipswich in their first game last season and the ability on the ball and vision displayed for someone so young was one where you say, yep, keep track of him.
Here's his goal against Watford in the U18s 1-0 win over them a few weeks ago (with his supposedly weaker foot):
Long way to go but he's definitely on the right path. Was included in U18 squads as an U14 before his injury. Part of the exciting and talented U16s team, quite a few already have their scholars and a couple represent England at youth level.Oh my word. Some of the goals on his Instagram are ridiculous. A link for those who haven't seen - https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.ngandu/
Special shout out to this goal -
Let's hope he keeps on developing. No matter how bad things get with the first team, I will always be proud of the CCFC academy.
Both are really good players so it doesn't surprise me. Kyle has been with the club since U8s (+ Camwell and Ford) and he's always been highly rated coming through the age groups. Ponticelli might get the rave reviews for his goalscoring exploits but I think the club really like Kyle and have high hopes for him.
There's another player in our U16s who I'm sure agencies/other clubs are watching too. He played 70 mins for the U16s against last Saturday against Millwall before coming on for the U18s for the last 15 minutes and winning the penalty which Camwell scored from. He's a genuine prospect, he's only slight but he'll never need to be bigger or quicker than he is at the moment. He can change direction freakishly and I've never seen a player so technically gifted playing for our academy sides.
Still a long way to go for him but it's more about the pure joy of watching a talent like that in our academy that we have developed and are still developing.
I can't imagine we'll lose any players though. We've only lost one player to an EPPP fee and that was Sambou because he felt he deserved to be in the first team. I'd like to think we're a big enough academy to keep all of our prospects, there's a clear pathway to the first team and players get the opportunity to move up the age groups quickly providing they're good enough.
The ridiculous thing about Sambou (and Mowbray could and should have managed this better imo by giving him cameos in the tame run in last season), is that he would probably be getting regular football this season.
He's scored one goal and that was in a pre-season tournament against Celtic but he hasn't been in their squad for a while. They recently signed Dominic Calwert-Lewin from Sheffield United and have 17 forwards eligible for U23s football so maybe in hindsight Everton wasn't the best move for his career. Still time though for him but I think he left too early.Has Sambou done much in youth sides at Everton?
He's scored one goal and that was in a pre-season tournament against Celtic but he hasn't been in their squad for a while. They recently signed Dominic Calwert-Lewin from Sheffield United and have 17 forwards eligible for U23s football so maybe in hindsight Everton wasn't the best move for his career. Still time though for him but I think he left too early.
He scored four U23s (U21s) goals last season from 17 games, 13 starts and 4 from the benchSeventeen forwards that was a good move must be getting splinters in his arse. From what I remember his record in the under 23 wasn't all that brilliant here.
Tranmere will be his club in a few years.
Just the 6 goals for the U18s this morning! 6-2 winners away at QPR.
Who scored?
The U18s team which beat QPR 6-2 this morning:
Skuza, Hickman, McMahon (C), Ford, Eccles, Doyle, Johnson, S.Green, Stedman, Smith, Ponticelli
First year centre-back McMahon captained the U18s again over older players. U16 Ngandu started on the bench but came on and netted a brace
Been told that Arsenal and Fulham have both made bids for an as yet unnamed CCFC U16s player. Manchester United and City also interested, but Arsenal want him the most.
Rest of the article here for anyone interested, including how Man City how use £11,000 a year private schooling to persuade players and their families to make the move: https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/p...rganic&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer"Manchester United and Everton are also believed to have expressed unhappiness about City and, along with Liverpool, discussed refusing to play them at junior level after complaining of fixtures being swamped by opposition scouts seeking to recruit their players."
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