funky chicken wrote: ↑Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:39 am
David Moyes in October 2020…
“I’d rather work with a small squad than a big squad. It’s always easy to bring somebody out of the Academy when there are spaces, and I’ve always wanted to have a Club where those young boys feel there’s a chance to breakthrough.”
With that in mind, any youngsters within a shout in these coming months?
10 academy debuts since Moyes rejoined the club in December 2019.
As well as Rice and Johnson being part of the first team, Coventry made appearances too.
Bond Holder 59 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:11 am
I don’t want to temp fate, and I did, and do, go big on Conor Coventry and Mipo, but our youngsters of all ages are turning in some serious results, including against the money clubs.
I would love to see the next Rice or Johnson play a competitive game this season. We need one to break through every season.
Makes you proud, and nothing to do with who has the most money.
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How great would it have been if Perkins header had gone in? His first touch. What an introduction that would have been. Well done that lad. Keep your head down, work and keep off social media.
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Baptiste, Chesters and Perkins certainly seem to the be youngsters Moyes has the most belief in to be able to knock on the first team door. Baptiste especially seems to be his go-to defender whenever he’s had to stick an additional one on the bench.
Of course they’re all there because of their ability. But one common feature they all seem to share, as did Johnson, is they are work incredibly hard from a defensive point of view. One of the first things Chesters did in his brief 5 minutes spell on the pitch was run back to win the ball. Perkins kept coming back to look for the ball last night.
Classic Moyes players. “If you don’t run, you won’t play.”
I couldn't split the bottom three based on tonight, but Perkins is more needed yes due to his position which we lack cover in.
Agree, the two full backs were excellent But, must stay grounded as a sample size of 1 match isn't too much to go on so let's see them again at some point. It's a shame really that we didn't get a league two team in the Cup for these to have a run out again.
I thought Alese looked the best of the five and Perkins out of his depth against strong defenders. But he’s very young and given time hopefully will compete for a place.
brownout wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 11:20 pm
I thought Alese looked the best of the five and Perkins out of his depth against strong defenders. But he’s very young and given time hopefully will compete for a place.
I've seen all four of them singled out as the best of the bunch. That's a good sign.
Restricting the Croatian champions to one deflected strike in the opening minutes is impressive. This team dumped Tottenham out last year.
As the title of the thread suggests, the kids are most definitely all right!
Of all the youngsters that played last night the fullbacks would be the easiest to throw into a Premier League game. Albeit more in the back 5 formation to begin with. The Leeds game in the Cup may be the perfect opportunity.
Now the transfer window is closed, are any of our u23 players ready to step up into the first team squad for the rest of the season?
The u23s are currently 2nd in the table, with not many games remaining. 2nd above so many teams who have a much bigger scouting team and bigger budget than we do. You’d like to think there are a few gems amongst that squad to be doing that well.
paulhs1 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:17 am
Alese, Baptiste and Perkins have to step up even if they're not ready sadly.
Perhaps the responsibility will see them mature quicker as players.
Or ruin their confidence completely?
It's a massive gamble chucking these kids in, the point being it should never have come to this.
Over the years I've seen the constant clamour for playing kids but rarely does it pay dividends.
Where are Quina, Ngakia and even Grady these days?
We've made our bed now.