U21, Youth and Ladies 2013/14

[PGW]

Sunderland 1-1 62 mins

[Matt Collins]

I see Jordan graham was back as a sub last night. He's been out for ages. Looks very promising to me.

[Larry Duff]

Jordan played for the last ten minutes and looked very lively. Good to have him back. Jordan, Callum Robinson and Jack Grealish are very good prospects.

[OCD]

Burke was considered a good prospect at one time but he doesn't seem to be stepping up. Weren't Man Utd sniffing around him a couple of years ago?

[supertom]

Burke was considered a good prospect at one time but he doesn't seem to be stepping up. Weren't Man Utd sniffing around him a couple of years ago?

He never really stood out for me in pre-season. I couldn't really say anything like "yeah he's got loads of pace" or "he's got an eye for a pass." It was hard to see what attributes he had to make him potentially Prem level.

[Matt Collins]

I agree on Burke (thus far)

Jordan Graham looks to have skills and pace to me. Grealish very skilful tho I wonder about his physical assets. Robinson had pace and skill. I also think Johnson looks to have really quick feet - a bit like Delph. But you have to wonder why he's never really got a chance. I change my mind on carruthers quite a bit because I'm not sure if he's got a bit of everything or not enough of anything.

That's my concern with Gardner. Great shot on him. But seems slow and not great passing it. But hopefully that's something that will improve as he recovers from two serious injuries.

[paul_e]

I agree on Burke (thus far)

Jordan Graham looks to have skills and pace to me. Grealish very skilful tho I wonder about his physical assets. Robinson had pace and skill. I also think Johnson looks to have really quick feet - a bit like Delph. But you have to wonder why he's never really got a chance. I change my mind on carruthers quite a bit because I'm not sure if he's got a bit of everything or not enough of anything.

That's my concern with Gardner. Great shot on him. But seems slow and not great passing it. But hopefully that's something that will improve as he recovers from two serious injuries.

Grealish looks very strong for a 17 year old, he doesn't get pushed around much, there were a few comments from Notts county fans suggesting similar.

[Mazrim]

Actually, Gardner's passing has always been his strongest asset.

[PeterWithe]

I agree on Burke (thus far)

Jordan Graham looks to have skills and pace to me. Grealish very skilful tho I wonder about his physical assets. Robinson had pace and skill. I also think Johnson looks to have really quick feet - a bit like Delph. But you have to wonder why he's never really got a chance. I okchange my mind on carruthers quite a bit because I'm not sure if he's got a bit of everything or not enough of anything.

That's my concern with Gardner. Great shot on him. But seems slow and not great passing it. But hopefully that's something that will improve as he recovers from two serious injuries.

I was chatting to one of the players dad's at a pre season game when Johnson was captaining the side. He told me there was a feeling amongst the first team coaching staff that Johnson is a bit too laid back and plays well within himself. As he's a cracking player that bodes very well for when they tease another gear from him.

[Matt Collins]

From what I've seen, Gardner strikes the ball well and had sound passing technique when he's got time on the ball. But he's looked slow in terms of running and dealing with the ball when it comes at him quickly. Whereas Johnson has much quicker feet.

Hopefully Gardner will improve as he gets an extended run without injuries. I think winger said recently that players can recover from serious injuries before they're about 22, but are much less able to afterwards.

If he could be the player he's meant to be: box to box, shoot from distance, creative, brave, then he'd be great in our midfield three. But at the moment I've got more of an eye on bacuna's ability to do that job. Gardner looks a way off to me. 

[paul_e]

Gardner is suffering from the same problem that Delph had, he's not staying injury free for long enough to get properly fit.  We need to get him injury free for a 6-9month stretch and then judge where he's at, judging him on individual games before that just isn't fair.  It might turn out that he can't stay injury free, in which case it might turn out that he physically can't cope with this level of football but I'm not ready to make that call on him, and clearly neither are the club yet.

[Mazrim]

It's a crying shame that Gardner has had such bad luck with injuries because had he had the time that Wilshere has had injury free he would at least be held in that sort of regard, although they're different players.

Really, he's a quarterback, dictating play from deep and making clever late runs. Also, his set pieces are excellent.
That's how it's gone in the youth system anyway.

[supertom]

GG has missed out on really key years unfortunately. Whether this effects his development irreparably remains to be seen. I hope not, but he's 21 not really had much competitive football at all. I think 22 games in all comps for us and briefly at Cov on loan. There comes a point where you can only really improve as a player and make that step up, by playing competitive footy. Times running out for him to do that with us, because once his current deal runs out, if he's not really forced his way into the managers plans, it's unlikely he'll get a new deal.

Delph has been lucky. He's been afforded more time and second chances than most young players get at this level. It would be unlikely to happen again for Gardner.

I hope he makes it. When Craig was establishing himself for us, people were talking about his younger brother as potentially the new Gerrard. It'd be a shame if he couldn't make it for us. He just needs more luck. 

[Mazrim]

If his deal runs out and he hasn't established himself, and if the medical people forecast any hope of being fit at some stage, he'd get a pay as you play deal. I desperately hope the injury gods give him a boon. The bastards.

[supertom]

If his deal runs out and he hasn't established himself, and if the medical people forecast any hope of being fit at some stage, he'd get a pay as you play deal. I desperately hope the injury gods give him a boon. The bastards.

The injury gods appear to be Small Heath fans given the luck the entire club is having at the moment.