The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[ZacNaloen]

Yeh, they are going through the school of hard knocks just now, maybe we'll see some improvement in the new year, the under 18's last year had a similar learning curve.

[andrew1957]

Yeh, they are going through the school of hard knocks just now, maybe we'll see some improvement in the new year, the under 18's last year had a similar learning curve.

Agreed - I was thinking the same. If this group are as good as I think they are, they should start to show signs of improvement as the season goes on.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Going to Camrose tonight, I don't expect too great a performance tonight from these U21s tonight though, they've been poor in the league losing several in a row before the cup game against QPR



We have a game in hand on the leaders, but West Ham and Fulham definitely the pace setters.

Is that tonight, Zac?

[ZacNaloen]

yep, 7pm tonight vs West Ham

[Pepe the Horseman]

Tonight?

[ZacNaloen]

Stop it, I only said it twice.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Thrice...

[ZacNaloen]

bugger.

That's because I had to do a sneaky edit after posting the wrong table and talking about that one for a bit

[winchester_royal]

It is true that the Under 21s are having a bad year so far, but I think it is worth pointing out that our group are nearly all 18 or 19 whereas a lot of the other sides in the league are fielding more players in the 20, 21 and 22 year old age groups and also more "over age" players than we are able to because of our injury crisis. I should think that the average age of most of the sides we have put out this season would not have been much more than between 19 and 20.

Assuming we retain the bulk of these players I think they will do much better next season - especially as we will then add another very good crop from the current under 18's.

Yep. Good point there Andrew. We very rarely put our first teamers into the U21 side, and given we don't have that many 20/21 year olds lying around the squad the team has often been full of second year scholars and first year pros. No surprise to see them struggle a little, though if my memory serves me well I think we've put up a decent fight in most of the games.

Can't make it tonight , still got upd8 fatigue after Friday anyway, West Ham look strong this year so should be a tough game.

[ZacNaloen]

Games off, waterlogged pitch

[NewCorkSeth]

Games off, waterlogged pitch

Phew now W.R. has to go and upd8

[maffff]

Ryan Edwards helped get the Perth Glory coach [his dad] sacked..

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/pert ... 2zja3.html

Perth Glory sack coach Alistair Edwards

Perth Glory have sensationally sacked coach Alistair Edwards after he suffered a dramatic fallout with the club's senior players.

It's understood several players vented their anger at Edwards over his decisions at selection – namely the promotion of his sons, Ryan and Cameron Edwards.

The revolt was led by ex-Socceroo and club captain Jacob Burns, sidelined by the coach in favour of Ryan Edwards for a role in central midfield in recent weeks.

It's believed Burns had strong support from two of the squad's most respected members, goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and defender Michael Thwaite.

Matters were brought to public attention in the wake of the 2-0 defeat against Melbourne Victory on Friday night, where the 35-year old Burns was again relegated to the bench. He played no part in the match.

He let his feelings known after the fulltime whistle and was backed by several players who felt the youthful line-up missed Burns' physical presence and leadership.

One message received by Fairfax Media from inside the squad revealed that Edwards had “lost the confidence” of the playing group.

“I think there's definitely a rift with Jacob Burns and myself, that's for sure,” Edwards admitted upon arrival back in Perth after the match. “There were a few things said behind closed doors and that's something we've got to address internally.

“Since then it's been a bit testy, and because he wasn't re-introduced into the team after winning last week, it sort of caused a bit of a problem."

Discussions between the club's owner, Tony Sage, Edwards, Burns and club chief executive Jason Brewer were scheduled in the past two days, leading Sage to believe Edwards' position was no longer tenable.

Over the weekend, club owner Sage admitted to Perth Now that “a real big perception issue” had grown over the decision of Edwards to sign Cameron, 20 and to loan Ryan, 21, from his parent club, English Championship side Reading.

“I never gave permission. Other than marquees, I don't give permission for any signing,” Sage said. “He never came to me to ask permission to sign his sons. I leave the squad selection to the person I put in charge. If he was determined that they were the best two players that he could get hold of for the money, that was the decision he made.”

Edwards was in the first year of a three-year contract with Perth Glory and won rave reviews in his early months after taking over from sacked boss Ian Ferguson in February.

It is not known whether Edwards' sons will continue at the club but it's understood both were left visibly distressed after Friday's fallout.

[ZacNaloen]

oops

[maffff]

Didcot have taken Germaine Ofori on work experience.

Didcot Borrow Reading Youngster
Sky Bet Championship side Reading have agreed for Germaine Ofori to sign for Calor League Southern Division One....



....South & West club Didcot Town on a `work experience` registration.
The 18-year-old second year sholar is an attacking player who joined the Academy late in 2011.

He best suits playing as part of a front three, either on the wing or through the middle. He is a direct player who can put fear into the eyes of defenders.

.

I never realised how much he looked like Nicky Bignall



oh.

[ZacNaloen]

Under 18's got absolutely thumped 6-0 by Chelsea today

[3points]

Hector to return on 5 January according to the OS

[kwik-silva]

edit: too big but apparently this board doesn't allow resizing within the BB Code, so.

[ZacNaloen]

Can see that game being called off like last weeks with the weather that is due.

[sandman]

Not a good day for the under 18's yesterday.

[Platypuss]

Can see that game being called off like last weeks with the weather that is due.

A masterful prediction.