Derrick Williams (D. LA Galaxy b. 1993)

[theworm2345]

Made the bench tonight for Villa so gets his own thread. Believe he was born in Germany to an Irish mother and American father (a soldier stationed in Germany), then bounced around the States for a few years before settling in Ireland at a relatively young age. Saw a bit of him at the U19 Championships this past summer, seemed decent enough at that level (one of the few I remember watching play there anyway).

[greendeiseboy]

He's been living in Tramore for a good few years now - I think his mother is from there. He played for the local team there Tramore AFC who also produced Jim Goodwin. He's aslo friends with my daughter.

Any thoughts the yanks have of nabbing him will be met with a polite No as he's no intentions of playing for anyone else only us.

Next time he's over I'll try and get the daughter to get him to do an interview on here

[punkrocket]

Haven't really been aware of him before, what position does he usually play?

[Yard of Pace]

, what position does he usually play?

I'd say the daughter might be best placed to answer that one by the sounds of it!

[Charlie Darwin]

He plays left back or, I think, centre half. Seeing how short Villa are on numbers, we could see him on the bench a lot more over the next few weeks, especially with Hutton banned for the next game. Enda Stevens might take over when he gets there though.

[samhaydenjr]

I don't know, he's kind of small for a defender. According to the Villa website he's only 0cm tall and weighs 0.0kg (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~59505,00.html) - plus he seems to be invisible

[punkrocket]

I'd say the daughter might be best placed to answer that one by the sounds of it!

Bl**dy hell, easy on, you're talking about the man's daughter here.

[Yard of Pace]

Bl**dy hell, easy on, you're talking about the man's daughter here.

I know, I know. Just kidding. I was only referring to the fact that he may have mentioned to her which footballing position he prefers, of course.....

[theworm2345]

Just replaced Chris Herd for his senior debut.

A bit surprising, seems to have slotted in a left back.

[Charlie Darwin]

Were Villa not playing with wing backs today? Was Herd injured? Best of luck to him anyway!

[swinfordfc]

He play left of the 3 at the back alongside Baker and Clark

[gastric]

Left Villa for Bristol City. Brave move by him and hopefully it will work out, he is certainly good enough! Irish manager too which might be helpful.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23029596

[tricky_colour]

Sounds like good move for him, get some games under his belt in a competative environment.

[DannyInvincible]

Bristol will play at League One level next season, but hopefully Williams can pick up some more first-team action there than he might have seen had he remained at Villa.

There's already a thread dedicated to him here, by the way: http://foot.ie/threads/160492-Derrick-Williams

[gastric]

I keep doing this. I search threads and find nothing comes up. Then I create a new thread to be told there is one already. Could someone tell me what I should be doing?

[DannyInvincible]

A Google search usually does the trick: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=derrick+williams+foot.ie&oq=derrick+williams+foot.ie&aqs=chrome.0.59j60l2j62l2.3976j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[BonnieShels]

Even dahamsta resolves to search his own site with Google.

[ArdeeBhoy]

And threads can be merged...

[Charlie Darwin]

Strange move for him, I would have thought he'd stick it out for another year at Villa, particularly at the rate they're disposing of older players. Bristol City will have a backline containing Cunningham, Moloney and Williams next season if they all play.

[tetsujin1979]

First senior goal this afternoon for Bristol, currently drawing 2-2 away to Tranmere

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Deserves a special mention as he is a stalwart in a table topping team that has conceded just 4 in 8 games. Still only 21...

[samhaydenjr]

Deserves a special mention as he is a stalwart in a table topping team that has conceded just 4 in 8 games. Still only 21...

Very true - what initially seemed like just a sensible step down to ensure he got his career going may turn out to be an extremely smart move if they go up this season, which in turn could turn out well for the national team, especially as he plays at left-back, which has been such a difficult position for us in recent years. A successful step up to Championship level might make him an option for the next round of World Cup qualifiers (or possible even Euro 2016, if we qualify, although that may be overly optimistic). And there may be two other indirect effects to take into consideration:
1. Success for him, and also for Samir Carruthers at MK Dons, might influence the likes of Graham Burke and Michael Drennan to follow this path, rather than hanging in too long at Villa pushing for a breakthrough which may not be on the cards.

2. The possibility of playing international football alongside a few players who were his club teammates at youth level might put another tick in the Ireland column of Jack Grealish's decision. (or not)

[liamoo11]

anyone know where dan devine who played centre half with williams in villa s youth/21 sides ended up?

[gastric]

anyone know where dan devine who played centre half with williams in villa s youth/21 sides ended up?

Have looked numerous times and could find no info on him. He was initially linked with Swindon, I think, when he was released and then nothing!

[Charlie Darwin]

The Swindon trial was over a year ago now. Haven't heard anything about him coming back to Ireland so I'd say he's either playing amateur football or he's dropped out of the game entirely.

[liamoo11]

Have looked numerous times and could find no info on him. He was initially linked with Swindon, I think, when he was released and then nothing!

Cheers. he looked a very commanding centre half if a little immobile. hopefully he is making a career somewhere

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Looks like young Derrick will be playing Championship football next season. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He should be playing Intl. football within a few short years and it couldn't happen to a nicer fella. Good pro and a polite lad.

Cunningham too will have an opportunity to reintroduce himself to the Irish Intl. football scene. Sure, he has been on the bench more often than not this season but there aren't many left backs on the scene and he is still young.

Sean Kavanagh is another option but I believe he is playing as a winger for Fulham these days, as I believe Kit Symons thinks he lacks the aggression to play full back at this juncture.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Derrick Williams keeps a clean sheet as Bristol City beat Walsall in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

Greg Cunningham came on as a late sub.

[Charlie Darwin]

Will be in the Championship next season along with Greg Cunningham as a 6-0 win over Bradford confirms promotion and a record points total of 92 (With nine more to play for).

[Olé Olé]

http://www.bcfc.co.uk/stats/player-stats/

Williams has been almost ever-present in the Bristol City side this season with 52 appearances. Cunningham has played less with 30. Thing with Cunningham is that he has shown in the past that the Championship isn't above his level and with them gaining promotion so comfortably one wouldn't imagine that there is need for a wholesale squad revamp (although their squad is small at present). Cunningham also has a further year left on his contract but he will really need to push on. Issue is that unless Williams is moved into centre-half then the left-back position is his, bar a lapse in form. Cunningham might get more opportunities at left midfield but that's dependent on whether Cotterill is happy with him as an option there in the Championship. Tough spot to be in but he still racked up plenty appearances this season. He came on tonight for Joe Bryan- a 21 year-old winger/wingback on the left side.

Williams only turned 22 in January and looks to have a bright future.

[samhaydenjr]

As a specialist left-back, a position we are having trouble filling, Williams' form next year in the Championship should be watched closely by Martin O'Neill with a view to bringing him into the team for the World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign - there may even be a case for blooding him into the team in any friendlies the FAI organise for this summer. Either way, his decision to leave Villa and drop two divisions has turned out to be an excellent one, so congratulations to Derrick on his success and all the best for next season.

[Charlie Darwin]

I wouldn't call him a specialist left back. It's his second position.

[Olé Olé]

That's true too. And he's just turned 22 so there's still time for him to move back into the centre.

[samhaydenjr]

Fine, left-back may not have been his original position (I admit, I didn't know that), but considering he's played at left-back (AFAIK) for Bristol City for two years and his Wikipedia page lists him as a Left-back solely, that surely makes him more specialist than Marc Wilson (Defender/Midfielder on Wikipedia and put forward as a centre-half option on this forum), Stephen Ward (Left-Back/Winger/Forward) and Robbie Brady (Winger/Left-Back - that worked out well against Poland). And do we really want him moving back to centre-half, with Wilson, John O'Shea, Ciaran Clark, Sean St Ledger, Paul McShane, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce, Shane Duffy, Tommie Hoban and Mark O'Brien as current and potential options?

[tetsujin1979]

according to football-lineups - http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/69418/ - he's played pretty much exclusively on the left of a back three for Bristol this season

[Olé Olé]

according to football-lineups - http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/69418/ - he's played pretty much exclusively on the left of a back three for Bristol this season

Very good site for this sort of analysis. http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/44558/ Cunningham has been consistently in and out of the team. Seemingly constantly rotated with Joe Bryan on the left wing/left wingback: http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/66636/ Having not seen any games of their's though, I would state that Bryan managed to nab 6 league goals and is a Bristol lad.

[Kingdom]

Lads from what I've seen, and I've seen a lot of the Championship and League 1, Williams isn't a left back, Tets and Ole have called it exactly as it is. Bristol have played some brilliant football this season, and while League 1 isn't the most subtle division at the best of times, it's very competitive and they've been much the better team. They've a really sound coach in Cotterill too, while they have huge potential to develop.
Next season will be an interesting one for both players and City. On a footballing level they're able to do what Bournemouth and Brentford have done this season, whether they have the squad to cope with what's going to be another horribly tight Championship in 15/16 is another story.

Given our paucity of options at centre-back, and another positive in a player comfortable playing in a back 3, then a good season next year will be of the utmost importance.

[OwlsFan]

Lads from what I've seen, and I've seen a lot of the Championship and League 1, Williams isn't a left back, Tets and Ole have called it exactly as it is. Bristol have played some brilliant football this season, and while League 1 isn't the most subtle division at the best of times, it's very competitive and they've been much the better team. They've a really sound coach in Cotterill too, while they have huge potential to develop.
Next season will be an interesting one for both players and City. On a footballing level they're able to do what Bournemouth and Brentford have done this season, whether they have the squad to cope with what's going to be another horribly tight Championship in 15/16 is another story.

Given our paucity of options at centre-back, and another positive in a player comfortable playing in a back 3, then a good season next year will be of the utmost importance.

I haven't seen much Division 1 football but what has happened to Greg Cunningham at Bristol? He doesn't seem to be getting his game anymore or very few at least?

I am looking forward to seeing how Williams gets on in the Championship.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Derrick Williams on what Sean O'Driscoll can offer Liverpool.

http://www.anfieldchat.com/blog/8808/

[Stuttgart88]

Future IRL manager?

[samhaydenjr]

Appears to have successfully made the step-up to Championship level, playing in all of Bristol's games so far and got his first goal of the season yesterday, albeit in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

[Olé Olé]

Last season, he was playing on the left of a central defensive 3. As far as I can see, he's moved to left back in a flat 4-4-2 this season. A lot here would have fancied him to move into centre half eventually but still plenty of time.

He edged Greg Cunningham out of Bristol and it looks like that's been to Cunningham's gain as he's been recognised by the Ireland set-up, whereas Williams hasn't.

[samhaydenjr]

Last season, he was playing on the left of a central defensive 3. As far as I can see, he's moved to left back in a flat 4-4-2 this season. A lot here would have fancied him to move into centre half eventually but still plenty of time.

He edged Greg Cunningham out of Bristol and it looks like that's been to Cunningham's gain as he's been recognised by the Ireland set-up, whereas Williams hasn't.

With them both having comparable records this season, Cunningham's greater experience at Championship level combined with his handful of caps probably gave him the edge on this occasion (albeit only for an extended squad call-up) - it's probably just too early for Derrick Williams to have been considered for the recent and upcoming Euro qualifiers. But hopefully they can both continue to have good seasons and give us greater depth in defence for the next set of qualifiers.

[Olé Olé]

With them both having comparable records this season, Cunningham's greater experience at Championship level combined with his handful of caps probably gave him the edge on this occasion (albeit only for an extended squad call-up) - it's probably just too early for Derrick Williams to have been considered for the recent and upcoming Euro qualifiers. But hopefully they can both continue to have good seasons and give us greater depth in defence for the next set of qualifiers.

Preston fans have been raving about Cunningham on their forum, not sure about Williams on the Bristol one. Also, Cunningham would be more recognised at left back. Williams being a left and centre back might come against him somewhat.

[Closed Account]

Although he started the season as LCB in a 3-4-3 formation, the last 2 and a bit games he's been playing LM in the same formation.
http://i.imgur.com/v7p0QHo.png

[Olé Olé]

In the interests of balance, he's a thread on the BCFC forum about him this week: http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/172512-derrick-williams/

"Not seen a thread on him yet but a great goal last night.I thought him filling in for Bryan would be a square pegs move, but seems to have taken to it really well, albeit just 2 matches.
Was very concerned when Cunningham left but now feel more confident in us on that left side.
At his best he's very cultured and calm on the ball with a good turn of pace, like a Rio Ferdinand type.
At his worst he looks panicky and gives the ball away.
People forget how young he is but he's acquitted himself well recently. Goes under the radar in this team. Will probably bring out the best in both him and Bryan to have competition for a LWB role.
Good work Del"

Not sure if it's positive that he's in direct competition with Joe Bryan either. Bryan was LWB last season when Cunningham was at the club and played most games, is a local lad and seems to be liked among the fans.

Williams getting back to centre half might be good in the long-run. The fans appear to describe him as a more defensive player in that thread.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Williams and Hoban look set to join Irish contingent at Blackburn.

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/derrick-williams-reported-move-to-blackburn-rovers-could-see-bristol-city-sign-joel-ekstrand/story-29657204-detail/story.html

[gastric]

If I read the article correctly, it states he is 27, but he is only 23.

[Charlie Darwin]

If I read the article correctly, it states he is 27, but he is only 23.
28 now. He's getting older by the hour.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Has probably been Blackburn's main attacking threat this afternoon, and has just set up their equalizer to make it 2-2.

Should get a call up in 2017 if he continues this run of form.

Left footed and can cover two positions.