Reserves and Academy 2023/24

[KNVillan]

Kellyman’s first goal

https://x.com/academyavfc/status/1692611512102183265?s=61&t=0hDYp8sAC4KCDeo1iQp4OQ

And his second goal

https://x.com/academyavfc/status/1692613444837454088?s=61&t=0hDYp8sAC4KCDeo1iQp4OQ

Both Courtesy of @academyavfc on Twitter/X

[pablo_picasso]

I like the look of Kellyman...

[KNVillan]

Finished Saints 4 - Villa 2…

[PaulWinch again]

Defence has been taking lessons from the first team in the first couple of games?

[AV84]

I see Rory Wilson has scored 5 goals in 2 games for the U18s.

[paul_e]

I see Rory Wilson has scored 5 goals in 2 games for the U18s.

He's far too good to be playing at that level, this is why we need to be clearing space in the U21s because players like that learn nothing from those games.

[AV84]

He's far too good to be playing at that level, this is why we need to be clearing space in the U21s because players like that learn nothing from those games.

It sounds harsh to be writing people off as old at 21/22 but I do think there's sense in what we seem to be doing with Archer, A Ramsey etc. Wilson will be 18 in January, if he's got the talent we should be looking at getting him around the first team next summer.

[paul_e]

He's far too good to be playing at that level, this is why we need to be clearing space in the U21s because players like that learn nothing from those games.

It sounds harsh to be writing people off as old at 21/22 but I do think there's sense in what we seem to be doing with Archer, A Ramsey etc. Wilson will be 18 in January, if he's got the talent we should be looking at getting him around the first team next summer.

That's exactly why I think we're willing to let those players go. If you're 21/22 and aren't in the first team squad then there's no obvious place for you in the club. Loans can help but selling with a buy-back seems like a decent option to me, so long as the lower fee we get is reflected in a low-ish buy back.

[pablo_picasso]

Aaron Ramsey is 20...

[AV84]

That's exactly why I think we're willing to let those players go. If you're 21/22 and aren't in the first team squad then there's no obvious place for you in the club. Loans can help but selling with a buy-back seems like a decent option to me, so long as the lower fee we get is reflected in a low-ish buy back.

I agree. Lots of clubs have players of that age who have already made lots of appearances for their first teams. I'm sure there are examples of players who didn't come into their own until they were older, but there's way more that just never make that next step up. Obviously things will be judged on an individual basis, but generally speaking if you've had a successful year loan at a Championship side, the next step should be pushing into the first team. 

[Villa Lew]

I see Rory Wilson has scored 5 goals in 2 games for the U18s.

He's 17 now, wouldn't be surprised in another 12 months, he's pushing for a first team place.

[dave.woodhall]

That's exactly why I think we're willing to let those players go. If you're 21/22 and aren't in the first team squad then there's no obvious place for you in the club. Loans can help but selling with a buy-back seems like a decent option to me, so long as the lower fee we get is reflected in a low-ish buy back.

I agree. Lots of clubs have players of that age who have already made lots of appearances for their first teams. I'm sure there are examples of players who didn't come into their own until they were older, but there's way more that just never make that next step up. Obviously things will be judged on an individual basis, but generally speaking if you've had a successful year loan at a Championship side, the next step should be pushing into the first team. 

One of the things Purslow got right was when he said you shouldn't have an under-21s team full of 21 year olds.

[Mister E]

It sounds harsh to be writing people off as old at 21/22 but I do think there's sense in what we seem to be doing with Archer, A Ramsey etc. Wilson will be 18 in January, if he's got the talent we should be looking at getting him around the first team next summer.

17 is the new 20 ...
If we agree that this is right - and I do, based upon other players (Jack, JJ) and the approach of other clubs - we definitely need to be moving some players along but then getting the brightest-prospect 16-18 yr olds out on loan earlier, so that they can then be integrated into the first-team squad by 18-19.

[OCD]

We need to build Wilson up a bit and get him strong enough that he can handle a loan move. I read an article over the summer where he said the same thing himself.

[AV84]

Yeah, Wilson will be 18 in January. Maybe a half season loan to get him playing regularly, somewhere we trust to look after him, and then have a serious look at him over the summer.

Obviously at that age players have to be managed carefully, and looked after, and what works for one kid won't work for every kid, but generally speaking, if they have the talent then they should be playing regularly at 18/19, even if it's in League2 just to see if they can cut it.