Callum O'Hare and Mitch Clark

[Ger Regan]

Said it many years ago. People at the Villa, including some who posted on here, were waxing lyrical about the younger players winning the reserve league (or whatever name it was going under that season) when other teams were sending their players out on loan and getting experience at the mucky end of the league. Then when said players got to the age of 21/22 they had no experience of fully grown adult football and just lost their way.

Yep, no one from that team has had any impact on us. Oh, except our captain of course.

That kind of proves his point, no?

Edit - i may have misinterpreted actual agreement with him for sarcasm, if so, apologies.

[LeeB]

Said it many years ago. People at the Villa, including some who posted on here, were waxing lyrical about the younger players winning the reserve league (or whatever name it was going under that season) when other teams were sending their players out on loan and getting experience at the mucky end of the league. Then when said players got to the age of 21/22 they had no experience of fully grown adult football and just lost their way.

Yep, no one from that team has had any impact on us. Oh, except our captain of course.

That kind of proves his point, no?

Edit - i may have misinterpreted actual agreement with him for sarcasm, if so, apologies.

I think you have, but Jack is the exception that proves the point anyway. He went on loan to Notts County, impressed, and was playing for the first team by 18. He didn't have the wilderness years playing reserve team football, and now look at him.

[paul_e]

It was a bit of both. Grealish is clear proof that where we have genuine quality, with the right attitude, they come through and have an impact. So the implication that the club has failed in some way really isn't fair. I doubt there are many clubs that have seen more academy products go on to be regulars in the premier league (for someone) than we have.

What we were lacking was a player coming through who became a genuinely world class talent, I think that criticism can probably be put to bed now though.

What I agree with is that the team from the next gen was criminally misused over the next few years and that, along with some questionable attitudes mean that, of the 18 in the final only Jack and Robinson are playing top flight football as they come towards their prime, that's a pretty clear waste of potential.

[Mister E]

Another point worth making about COH, Ramsey, Bridge et al: Grealish's achievements have been based as much on hard work and attitude as on his talent - he has shown what is possible with some graft and determination (previous generations had Gabby ....).
I'm hoping one of the spin-offs of Grealish's rise to stardom and role-modelling is a flood of new talent coming through on his coat-tails.

[Dante Lavelli]

Another point worth making about COH, Ramsey, Bridge et al: Grealish's achievements have been based as much on hard work and attitude as on his talent - he has shown what is possible with some graft and determination (previous generations had Gabby ....).
I'm hoping one of the spin-offs of Grealish's rise to stardom and role-modelling is a flood of new talent coming through on his coat-tails.

Jeez, that is a good point.  For players coming through and the club generally the example set by Grealish compared to gabby is huge.  I’m not talking talent but work ethic, determination and taking responsibility for yourself.

[ozzjim]

Cov fan I know reckons O'Hare is the most talented player they have had since Maddison and will go a long way. He is also convinced he is a Bluenose, for all it matters. We need to take the option up on his and Greens contracts to not lose them for nothing this summer.

[SoccerHQ]

Said it many years ago. People at the Villa, including some who posted on here, were waxing lyrical about the younger players winning the reserve league (or whatever name it was going under that season) when other teams were sending their players out on loan and getting experience at the mucky end of the league. Then when said players got to the age of 21/22 they had no experience of fully grown adult football and just lost their way.

Yep, no one from that team has had any impact on us. Oh, except our captain of course.

He went on a six month loan to Notts County during 13/14 season. I watched him play v Walsall (was only 18 at the time). Calum McGregor at Celtic was also on loan there at the same time.

I'd say if you spoke to Jack he'd say that loaned pushed on far more than just staying and playing for the reserves/under 23s.

[SoccerHQ]

Cov fan I know reckons O'Hare is the most talented player they have had since Maddison and will go a long way. He is also convinced he is a Bluenose, for all it matters. We need to take the option up on his and Greens contracts to not lose them for nothing this summer.

Probably because of that awful miss last minute v them in the cup!

Think we'll see C O'H around the 18 next season. Hopefully what won't happen is we sell Grealish and then start bigging up O'Hare as his replacement as that would put stupid pressure on him.

[Dr_Pangloss]

Was very impressed with O'Hare a couple of years ago, looked a rare breed with respect to a number of other prospects in recent times by virtue of the fact that he has a sharp football brain. Always looking to pass and move into good space, we seldom produce players like this.

It's strange to me that at 22 years old this year he has only been given the opportunity to play consistently at League One level. I question whether the club has done the right thing by him, surely he could have been fast tracked a bit earlier.

At this stage I genuinely have no idea what the future lies for him, if we do go down this season, which is a distinct possibility, then I think he is well worth a look. If we stay up then I doubt he has much of a future as we will be looking for players to push us up the table...

[charleeco7]

O’Hara posted a picture after today’s game. Must have taken a right blow to the head, as looks a nasty injury.  Not for the squeamish https://twitter.com/calohare/status/1226217819790020608?s=21

[Smithy]

O’Hara posted a picture after today’s game. Must have taken a right blow to the head, as looks a nasty injury.  Not for the squeamish https://twitter.com/calohare/status/1226217819790020608?s=21

Wait, I just went to check the match report from today and he WASN'T EVEN SUBSTITUTED?? How is that possible? Unless it happened in the 95th minute maybe? Either way, that's a pretty big cut and I don't see him out heading a ball for a few weeks?

[Smithy]

Was very impressed with O'Hare a couple of years ago, looked a rare breed with respect to a number of other prospects in recent times by virtue of the fact that he has a sharp football brain. Always looking to pass and move into good space, we seldom produce players like this.

It's strange to me that at 22 years old this year he has only been given the opportunity to play consistently at League One level. I question whether the club has done the right thing by him, surely he could have been fast tracked a bit earlier.

At this stage I genuinely have no idea what the future lies for him, if we do go down this season, which is a distinct possibility, then I think he is well worth a look. If we stay up then I doubt he has much of a future as we will be looking for players to push us up the table...

He always seemed very small and slight, and I just thought the club were just waiting on him to have his growth spurt, which some kids have later than others - but his hasn't really arrived. At 22, he's unlikely to get any bigger now, so I guess the next 12 months will give a good indication of his level.  He has ability on the ball, clearly. But so does Jota. You need a bit more at the top level, unfortunately. I'd like to think there is a place in the squad for tidy, skilful midfielders, I guess time will tell if he's strong enough and quick enough.

[charleeco7]

O’Hara posted a picture after today’s game. Must have taken a right blow to the head, as looks a nasty injury.  Not for the squeamish https://twitter.com/calohare/status/1226217819790020608?s=21

Bandaged up and played on by the sounds of it. Fair play to him, as it looks nasty.
Wait, I just went to check the match report from today and he WASN'T EVEN SUBSTITUTED?? How is that possible? Unless it happened in the 95th minute maybe? Either way, that's a pretty big cut and I don't see him out heading a ball for a few weeks?

[Dr_Pangloss]

Was very impressed with O'Hare a couple of years ago, looked a rare breed with respect to a number of other prospects in recent times by virtue of the fact that he has a sharp football brain. Always looking to pass and move into good space, we seldom produce players like this.

It's strange to me that at 22 years old this year he has only been given the opportunity to play consistently at League One level. I question whether the club has done the right thing by him, surely he could have been fast tracked a bit earlier.

At this stage I genuinely have no idea what the future lies for him, if we do go down this season, which is a distinct possibility, then I think he is well worth a look. If we stay up then I doubt he has much of a future as we will be looking for players to push us up the table...

He always seemed very small and slight, and I just thought the club were just waiting on him to have his growth spurt, which some kids have later than others - but his hasn't really arrived. At 22, he's unlikely to get any bigger now, so I guess the next 12 months will give a good indication of his level.  He has ability on the ball, clearly. But so does Jota. You need a bit more at the top level, unfortunately. I'd like to think there is a place in the squad for tidy, skilful midfielders, I guess time will tell if he's strong enough and quick enough.

For me a lot of that could have been (or still could be) address by better strength and conditioning. I think he's a shade over 5 ft 7 but there's a lot of players in his position in and around that height. The difference is that they're stronger and better conditioned.

[PeterWithesShin]

I wonder if we've had a word with Cov about letting him play on for half an hour with that head injury. The bloke he clashed heads with was substituted at the time.