Reserves and Academy 2025-26

[Dante Lavelli]

Given we won the triple last year, we appear to be under-represented at England U21 and U17 levels.  Are these specific age groups missing our sweet spot(s) or is the bar higher for international recognition?

[paul_e]

Given we won the triple last year, we appear to be under-represented at England U21 and U17 levels.  Are these specific age groups missing our sweet spot(s) or is the bar higher for international recognition?

I think at least part of it is that certain teams get watched more and their players tend to get age group call ups easier. It changes at U21 but before that you often see big groups from a handful of clubs and then only truly exceptional players from elsewhere.

[Drummond]

The other thing is that a lot of our players are younger than their representative age group when playing for us so still have time.

[paul_e]

The other thing is that a lot of our players are younger than their representative age group when playing for us so still have time.

Absolutely, loads of the U21 squad are still young enough to play U18s.

[Percy McCarthy]

Put these here rather than in ‘other games.

Obviously, ITV don’t mention the great cross for the assist, but I will:

https://x.com/itvfootball/status/1989682217409187893?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA

[Percy McCarthy]

Only goal of the game for our boy Alfie Lynskey:

https://x.com/academyavfc/status/1989762024109207936?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA

[Somniloquism]

Put these here rather than in ‘other games.

Obviously, ITV don’t mention the great cross for the assist, but I will:

https://x.com/itvfootball/status/1989682217409187893?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA

Apart from "its a great delivery" and "it was great work as well from Burrowes, perfect weight on the cross"

[Percy McCarthy]

Put these here rather than in ‘other games.

Obviously, ITV don’t mention the great cross for the assist, but I will:

https://x.com/itvfootball/status/1989682217409187893?s=46&t=GdM6cpVxe5IloByNCRheWA

Apart from "its a great delivery" and "it was great work as well from Burrowes, perfect weight on the cross"

Oh yeah haha! He did say ‘great delivery’ and I didn’t watch the replay. Anchored in paranoia I am!

[Smithy]

There's 7-8 kids in the 16-18 range that seem to be really highly rated, hopefully we can get a couple of them through into the first team over the next few years and save ourselves a lot of money.

Where is the youngest Ramsey brother these days? Cole I think? He was very highly thought of a few years ago back when Arron was starring in the youth team and Jacob in the first team (but he was obviously VERY young back then, still at school I think).  I would have thought he'd be youth team age now?