The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[kwik-silva]

Does it ever get depressing, being so negative?

[andrew1957]

Red Card:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... lI#t=10864
Looks like Fridj kicks out at the Crewe player.

Fridj? Sounds like a f*cking milkshake, aren't there any half decent British lads playing in the South Chiltern Minor League or something?

I watched 10 minutes of this game last night on You Tube between halves of the Man Utd game and all I can say is.....that is 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

Who was the prat with the Sideshow Bob haircut btw Get rid.

Do you ever have anything positive to say. Is your world really so black? These lads are between 16-18 and gave it their all last night.

[P!ssed Off]

I know

I asked if the full 90 would be available to watch later but they didn't respond. I'll ask again now.

Yeah, you can still watch the whole thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwFZMXEIKlI

First Reading goal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... KlI#t=3117

Second Reading goal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... KlI#t=7773

Third Reading goal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... lI#t=10343

Red Card:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... lI#t=10864
Looks like Fridj kicks out at the Crewe player.

Penalty Shootout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... lI#t=11742

All removed it seems.

It was the same video, which was about 3hrs long, but the links took you to that specific part of the game.
Seems a bit of them to remove it before actually bothering to upload the highlights but oh well.

[andrew1957]

Apologies if it's been discussed elsewhere on this thread (I have had a bit of a look) but what's the furthest RFC have got in the FA Youth Cup?

I would also be interested to know - cannot find the answer on the web. I know we have reached last 16 a couple of times before but not sure we have ever reached the QF. They have a great chance to do so this season, as we are playing one of two lower ranked teams next.

[floyd__streete]

I believe that the 1987/88 team got to the quarter finals of the FAYC, Adie Williams, Scott Taylor, Archie Lovell et al.

[Pepe the Horseman]

I believe that the 1987/88 team got to the quarter finals of the FAYC, Adie Williams, Scott Taylor, Archie Lovell et al.

Alan Carey <3

[P!ssed Off]

Red Card:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... lI#t=10864
Looks like Fridj kicks out at the Crewe player.

Fridj? Sounds like a f*cking milkshake, aren't there any half decent British lads playing in the South Chiltern Minor League or something?

I watched 10 minutes of this game last night on You Tube between halves of the Man Utd game and all I can say is.....that is 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

Who was the prat with the Sideshow Bob haircut btw Get rid.

I think we only had three 'foreigners' in the squad of 16: Fridj, Irish Shaughnessy, and Vastuk, the striker.
Sure we don't want to hamper local youth development by filling up the youth team with foreign imports but 3 out of 16 is perfectly acceptable imo.
Plus, I don't really consider Icelandic or Irish Reading players as 'foreign' due to our recent history.


If anyone is looking at the names Owusu, Fosu, Ofori, Husin and Lawal and thinking 'why have Reading got so many foreign youth players?' then that says more about them than Reading.

[floyd__streete]

I think we only had two 'foreigners' in the squad of 16: Fridj and Vastuk, the striker.
Sure we don't want to hamper local youth development by filling up the youth team with foreign imports but 2 out of 16 is perfectly acceptable imo.

If anyone is looking at the names Owusu, Fosu, Ofori, Husin and Lawal and thinking 'why have Reading got so many foreign youth players?' then that says more about them than Reading.

Yeah, tbh m8 I am just messing about during my lunch hour at work.

Have to admit to not hugely caring about the Academy as I am not hugely interested as to who will be forming the basis of Basingstoke Town's first team in 5 years time.

[Royal Ginger]

Isn't Liam Kelly Irish?

[P!ssed Off]

Isn't Liam Kelly Irish?

To the extent that Church and Robson-Kanu are Welsh, Pearce was Scottish but is now Irish, and Karacan is Turkish, yes.

[winchester_royal]

Isn't Liam Kelly Irish?

'Irish' in the Andy Townsend sense of the word.

[winchester_royal]

I think we only had two 'foreigners' in the squad of 16: Fridj and Vastuk, the striker.
Sure we don't want to hamper local youth development by filling up the youth team with foreign imports but 2 out of 16 is perfectly acceptable imo.

If anyone is looking at the names Owusu, Fosu, Ofori, Husin and Lawal and thinking 'why have Reading got so many foreign youth players?' then that says more about them than Reading.

Yeah, tbh m8 I am just messing about during my lunch hour at work.

Have to admit to not hugely caring about the Academy as I am not hugely interested as to who will be forming the basis of Basingstoke Town's first team in 5 years time.

This last bit is spot on. Can't even remember the last time we had an academy player graduate into the first team.

[ZacNaloen]

Last weekend

oh hang on. You have to be joking.

[winchester_royal]

Last weekend

oh hang on. You have to be joking.

. 5 academy players on the pitch last weekend. 2 others that likely would have been were it not for injury. 2 Reading academy players currently plying their trade in the PL, and have earned the club >£12m in combined fees over the past few years. Lets hope the current crop follow a similar path over the next 5 years.

[Vision]

Last weekend

oh hang on. You have to be joking.

. 5 academy players on the pitch last weekend. 2 others that likely would have been were it not for injury. 2 Reading academy players currently plying their trade in the PL, and have earned the club >£12m in combined fees over the past few years. Lets hope the current crop follow a similar path over the next 5 years.

That's all well and good but if Basingstoke come calling we can't stand in a player's way

[KC Royal]

Forget it, I worked it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwFZMXEIKlI

Only discovered after the match finished that it was possible to watch live (did think of checking beforehand but assumed it wouldn't be) and then found a youtube link first thing this morning, but having clicked on that link, and also searched, it seems to have gone

Anyone know if there is anywhere else I can find the match?

[ZacNaloen]

Only if some had the foresight to rip the video.

Wishing I had when I checked that link this morning tbf

[Pepe the Horseman]

Is Nana Owusu , Lloyd Owusu's grandmother?

[SCIAG]

Yes.

Quite enjoyed that, obviously we need to work on defending set pieces.

I was particularly impressed by the understanding between the midfield trio, they were all supporting the attack and covering the defence, and they filled in for each other.

Brief comments on the players (no r8ings in case any of them haven't learned not to read HNA- seriously, stop now):

Ward- Very young, but not overly impressive. Needs to be more confident coming for the ball. His kicking was poor. However, his communication was excellent and he saved the penalty well.
Watson- I'd not seen him play before, but I was fairly impressed. He wasn't amazing, but I don't remember him making any mistakes. I'll hazard a guess that he's not the sort ou can judge on one match, and only repeat viewings will show how dependable he is.
Owusu- last time I saw him he played right wing, and he really showed his excellent dribbling skills. The goal was very well taken. Defensively he wasn't a weak point by any means.
Dickie & Hyam- both strong, good in the tackle, and good in the air, as well as being comfortable with the ball at their feet. Good centre backs for this level.
Kuhl- excellent. Pinging passes around from deep, receiving the ball and giving it forwards, making runs to support the forwards, and covering for the full backs when they pushed on. I really think he's a future first teamer.
Fridge- I was disappointed by him to be honest. As mentioned, he had a good understanding with Kuhl and Kelly, but he misplaced a few passes and faded fairly early- was surprised Shaughnessy didn't replace him. Can't complain about his sending off, but maybe a Crewe player should have followed him.
Kelly- again, was most impressed by his footballing intelligence. Some good dribbling and took his goal well, and had a fairly good game, but that wasn't his best.
Stacey- excellent. I had him down as a useful grafter, but the more I see, the more I like him. He's a good finisher, he's very quick, and he works the flank well.
Fosu- amazing close control, but didn't actually do too much. Needs to offload the ball at the right time.
Vastuk- OK, I was preparing "Vast-suck" puns. He was fairly good, but didn't get the ball in dangerous positions.

Ofori- good movement, but poor finishing
Husin- expected Shaughnessy to come on, but he did well with limited time. One good pass out to Owusu stands out.

[Royals and Racers]

Really enjoyed being at the game last night-one Reading player stood out for me,Dominic Hyam looked a real classy player and I believe he has every chance of becoming a 1st team player. The other player I think that has a chance of breaking through is Liam Kelly although I am worried his size might go against him.