Villa player loan watch

[achilles]

Mikey Drennan at the double at Dagenham for Pompey. Put them two up in twenty mins.

Scored a hat-trick... well done!

[Matt Collins]

Grealish got two assists yday. Impressed with how he's doing. But when you see the highlights you realise the chasm in quality.

I've always been an advocate of loaning players out to the championship because the standard of reserve football is so poor. But I've been a bit suprised by how crap league one looks. And I also noticed that the Southampton academy director was saying that Saints don't loan out. Their view is that if you've got the best facilities, coaches and a style and set of habits you want to use, then you risk them learning bad habits elsewhere. Not convinced yet, but they're obviously doing somethign right there.

[achilles]

I think loaning out players is a good thing as it gets them used to playing under pressure, gives them valuable game time as well as experience although Chelsea, who I believe have loaned out 21 players this season, do take the piss out of the system.

As for Grealish its good to see him playing with confidence and taking players on, only time will tell whether he makes it or not but at least he gets the crowd excited and provides entertainment which is more than can be said for a lot of our players. 

Great strike by Drennan for his second goal (apparently he didn't score the first Portsmouth goal).

[richard moore]

Grealish got two assists yday. Impressed with how he's doing. But when you see the highlights you realise the chasm in quality.

I've always been an advocate of loaning players out to the championship because the standard of reserve football is so poor. But I've been a bit suprised by how crap league one looks. And I also noticed that the Southampton academy director was saying that Saints don't loan out. Their view is that if you've got the best facilities, coaches and a style and set of habits you want to use, then you risk them learning bad habits elsewhere. Not convinced yet, but they're obviously doing somethign right there.

What, the chasm in quality between us and Notts County? Are you sure? Or maybe you meant they are so much better than us, can't disagree with that..

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Mikey Drennan at the double at Dagenham for Pompey. Put them two up in twenty mins.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Grealish got two assists yday. Impressed with how he's doing. But when you see the highlights you realise the chasm in quality

[Somniloquism]

That miss towards the end from Port Vale has to be seen to be believed.

[Dante Lavelli]

Grealish got two assists yday. Impressed with how he's doing. But when you see the highlights you realise the chasm in quality.

I've always been an advocate of loaning players out to the championship because the standard of reserve football is so poor. But I've been a bit suprised by how crap league one looks. And I also noticed that the Southampton academy director was saying that Saints don't loan out. Their view is that if you've got the best facilities, coaches and a style and set of habits you want to use, then you risk them learning bad habits elsewhere. Not convinced yet, but they're obviously doing somethign right there.

It's an interesting alternative view as most clubs seem to think that playing is better than reserve football hence most players drop down a level.  However, I guess on that token Southampton are pretty good at giving their youngsters some games without completely exposing them.  Shaw, Chambers, Ward-Prowse have all played a fair amount of football this year.

[OCD]

Shaw has played most of the games for the last 2 years and it's more down to him being an outstanding talent; it was like when Barry first became a regular for us. Ward-Prowse has probably been less involved this year than last but delivers a really good ball. Chambers and their striker Gallagher (I think) are better examples of incorporating young talents that they feel are ready. The thing is Southampton have had the luxury of being safe for most of the season and they do seem to have some very good youth coming through.

[DrGonzo]

If playing reserve football is such a breeding ground for talent we'd have brought more youngsters through in the last 5-7 years.  I think they can learn much more by playing against experienced opposition that they could ever against kids of the same age.

[supertom]

I really like the look of Grealish (terrible haircut aside). He seems to have a footballing brain on him and that will hold him in good stead. I wish our midfielders looked even half as composed on the ball as he does.
Get him in amongst the squad again in pre-season and give him a few tastes of action next season, in amongst a championship loan or two.

[placeforparks]

That miss towards the end from Port Vale has to be seen to be believed.

wow!

[placeforparks]

I really like the look of Grealish (terrible haircut aside). He seems to have a footballing brain on him and that will hold him in good stead. I wish our midfielders looked even half as composed on the ball as he does.
Get him in amongst the squad again in pre-season and give him a few tastes of action next season, in amongst a championship loan or two.

he might be in the championship for us

[eamonn]

I really like the look of Grealish (terrible haircut aside). He seems to have a footballing brain on him and that will hold him in good stead. I wish our midfielders looked even half as composed on the ball as he does.
Get him in amongst the squad again in pre-season and give him a few tastes of action next season, in amongst a championship loan or two.

Thought I was watching a Lee Hendrie 1997/98 with the curtains hairstyle and dainty footwork for a minute.

[PeterWithesShin]

That second goal from Drennan was a bit good.