U23 Players 2018/19

[liamoo11]

Wow... I hope he doesn't read that post - after the high of scoring on his 19th birthday, it would really bring him right down to learn that he's past it now and there's no way he'll make it at Liverpool and he should give up on making it at a high level in England. Crikey, he's a month younger than Connolly and Afolabi and only a few months older than Obafemi, give him a chance.

A chance to have a season playing competitive football in big games at shamrock rovers in a side full of inventive technical players who will create numerous chances for a front man over the season would be a birthday present to be cherished .

[samhaydenjr]

Adam Idah on target for Norwich against Forest in the PL Cup: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2019/february/match-report-nottingham-forest-norwich-city/

Rowan Roache came on as a second-half sub for his current U23 team, Derby and was credited with an assist for their eighth goal in a hammering of Bristol City: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2019/02/u23s-cruise-to-pl-cup-victory-over-bristol-city

[tetsujin1979]

Adam Idah on target for Norwich against Forest in the PL Cup: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2019/february/match-report-nottingham-forest-norwich-city/

Rowan Roache came on as a second-half sub for his current U23 team, Derby and was credited with an assist for their eighth goal in a hammering of Bristol City: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2019/02/u23s-cruise-to-pl-cup-victory-over-bristol-city

Hondermarck came off the bench for Norwich in that game too, and Yassine En-Neyah was playing for Forest

[samhaydenjr]

Idah scores again, this time from the spot. Lee O'Connor captained the Man Utd team: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39396/premier-league-2/2018-19/man-utd-v-norwich

[Olé Olé]

Interesting to see Lee named midfield. Is the consensus that he's likely to end up a full back unless he physically develops into a centre half?

[tetsujin1979]

Am I the only one who's slightly disappointed to see some of the appearing for their U23 side every week? Only because it means that they won't be appearing in the club's senior side 's next fixture

[tommy_c12000]

#metoo. It’s been very disappointing some of these haven’t got a taste of first team action. Perhaps it’s a reflection of the the low esteem this B league is held in by managers. I would much prefer these guys follow Connollys lead and push for loan moves

[samhaydenjr]

Am I the only one who's slightly disappointed to see some of the appearing for their U23 side every week? Only because it means that they won't be appearing in the club's senior side 's next fixture


#metoo. It’s been very disappointing some of these haven’t got a taste of first team action. Perhaps it’s a reflection of the the low esteem this B league is held in by managers. I would much prefer these guys follow Connollys lead and push for loan moves

Patience lads... remember we've had a bunch of youngsters move up to U23 level while still being eligible for U18s, so they're all well on schedule. I think the ability to track them week in week out combined with Obafemi's success has raised our expectations to sky-high levels - I'd say give them to the end of next season at least before getting worried.

As regards today's action, Nathan Tormey (he's still with us, right?) was on the scoresheet for Arsenal U23s against Swansea: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39265/premier-league-2/2018-19/arsenal-v-swansea

Barry Cotter scored with a backheel for Ipswich against Burnley: https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/march/ipswich-u23s-beat-burnley/

Two goals for Yassine En-Neyah for Forest U23s against Bristol City: https://twitter.com/NFFCAcademy/status/1102673812582264833

Speaking of youngsters moving up to U23 level, 17-year-old Tyreik Wright seems to be establishing himself in Villa's U23s: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39399/premier-league-2/2018-19/aston-villa-v-sunderland

Finally, a welcome 90 minutes for Jayson Molumby in a Brighton team that also featured Warren O'Hora: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39266/premier-league-2/2018-19/brighton-v-derby

(https://www.premierleague.com/match/39266/premier-league-2/2018-19/brighton-v-derby)

[tetsujin1979]

Patience lads... remember we've had a bunch of youngsters move up to U23 level while still being eligible for U18s, so they're all well on schedule. I think the ability to track them week in week out combined with Obafemi's success has raised our expectations to sky-high levels - I'd say give them to the end of next season at least before getting worried.That's true, but at the moment it looks like Obafemi is going to be the only Irish player under the age of 20 to appear in the Premier League this season, and there's only two more players under 20 that appeared in the Championship - Adam O'Reilly and Luca Connell


As regards today's action, Nathan Tormey (he's still with us, right?) was on the scoresheet for Arsenal U23s against Swansea: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39265/premier-league-2/2018-19/arsenal-v-swansea
Not sure if he is or not, can only find one call up on the FAI's website, that was for an U16 game in 2016 - https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/osam-names-ireland-u16-squad-for-turkey-games - you'd have to imagine if he was still with Ireland, he'd have appeared again since then. On the other hand, there's no mention of him on the FA's website, so maybe?


Finally, a welcome 90 minutes for Jayson Molumby in a Brighton team that also featured Warren O'Hora: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39266/premier-league-2/2018-19/brighton-v-derby
(https://www.premierleague.com/match/39266/premier-league-2/2018-19/brighton-v-derby)
I had hoped to see Molumby in Brighton's squad at the weekend, but maybe they're managing his comeback from injury.
He's overage for the U19's now, but we might see him in the U21 squad for their game at the end of the month

[Eminence Grise]

I think the age at which young players emerge into the first team has gone up across the board. It's common enough to see a 21 or 22 year old with only a handful of games for a Premiership club, interspersed with a few lower league loans. At the same time, the retirement age has also gone up. Go back 15 years and players tended to leave the top flight by the age of 33. Enough have played past this age now to make it unremarkable. So roughly the same length of career, but starting later. I suspect u23 is the new u21 if you know what I mean.

[tetsujin1979]

A little, it's that the age of a young player breaking through to the first team has raised slightly with the introduction of the new U23 league

[tetsujin1979]

Earlier in the week, Jonathan Afolabi was nominated for PL2 Player of the Month: https://www.premierleague.com/news/1076327?sf208715800=1
Winner announced on Friday

[Olé Olé]

He could be a shoo-in for the under 21 squad given that Kenny referred to his lack of options up front, as well as injuries to a few lads his age.

[tetsujin1979]

The under 19s have their elite qualifiers the week before the U21 game, so him, Idah, Cassidy and Parrott will be split between the two squads.

[tetsujin1979]

Southampton playing Villareal tonight in the PL International Cup, and streaming it on their YouTube channel at 7: https://www.youtube.com/user/theofficialsaints

Few Irish lads in the team, see below, but not Afolabi
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Keogh on the bench only turned 17 a week ago, so being involved at this level is impressive

[Olé Olé]

Why not Afolabi? Spurs at home Saturday?

[tetsujin1979]

Southampton U23s beat Villareal 2-1,a penalty from Smallbone and a tap in at the far post for O'Connor following a corner from Smallbone
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[liamoo11]

Nice to see Anthony Scully back for west ham 23s tonight he seems to have missed most of season with injury. Tormey is playing for arsenal 23s again tonight who seems to have been injured for 2 yrs wonder if he will show up on our 19s?

Zak Delaney our under 17 and louie Barry our(?) Under 16 on bench tonight for west brom 23s fone achievement

[liamoo11]

2 tonight for idah that's 13 in 20 under 23 games this season for a side that has generally struggled. Pity Norwich are going so well

[samhaydenjr]

2 tonight for idah that's 13 in 20 under 23 games this season for a side that has generally struggled. Pity Norwich are going so well

That's great stuff - he's really starting to motor now and has only just turned 18 today - he's younger than any of the other top scorers in his division.

Elsewhere, 17-year-old Tyriek Wright really seems to have settled into the Villa U23 side, being credited with two assists against Newcastle

[Kingdom]

I said on the Gibraltar thread that I thought Parrott might be a bit slight for senior football yet (compared with say, Obafemi); Idah physically looks like he could handle himself physically already.

[samhaydenjr]

Not much happening tonight - Josh Barrett scored a free-kick as Reading lost to Newcastle in the Premier League Cup: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2019/march/report--reading-u23-vs-newcastle-u23/

[tetsujin1979]

Idah on the short list for PL2 Player of the Month: https://www.premierleague.com/news/1154227

[samhaydenjr]

Idah on the short list for PL2 Player of the Month: https://www.premierleague.com/news/1154227

Credited with an assist on Norwich's goal in tonight's game against Southampton. The Saints scored four with Thomas O'Connor and Will Smallbone on the scoresheet - https://www.premierleague.com/match/39409/premier-league-2/2018-19/southampton-v-norwich

Yassin En-Neyah scored Forest's second against Burnley: https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2019/april/match-report-under-23s-vs-burnley/

[tetsujin1979]

Southampton were beaten 3-1 by Dinamo Zagreb in the semi final of the Premier League International Cup last night, after playing the majority of the game a player down. O'Driscoll, O'Connor(who captained the side), Smallbone and Ferry all started and Ledwidge came off the bench.
Southampton's goal came from a cross by Smallbone. They streamed the game on their YouTube channel. The goal is on 29:30
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[Closed Account]

https://i.imgur.com/zWWH52k.jpg
Must have been getting some abuse on that forum.

[tetsujin1979]

RTE had to issue an apology to him a few weeks ago, wonder if that's related?
https://www.rte.ie/amp/1034738/

[SkStu]

RTE had to issue an apology to him a few weeks ago, wonder if that's related?
https://www.rte.ie/amp/1034738/

The article that the apology is referring to had the following sentence in it randomly. I took a screenshot of it at the time but not sure how to post it. It seemed like just a bad attempt at humour by someone at rte.


The Cavan born youngster has been having sex with young men and women.

[liamoo11]

A goal for parrott at 23s tonight

[tetsujin1979]

A goal for parrott at 23s tonight

and a second.
and a booking.

[liamoo11]

and a second.
and a booking.

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/highlights-swans-u23s-1-tottenham-u23s-2 his goals and hitting post

[Olé Olé]

Poch won't be able to ignore this if it keeps up any longer...

[Cathalsmart]

Make his Spurs debut before the end of the season or we riot?

[tetsujin1979]

This isn't Cena in the Hammerstein Ballroom, it's a 17 year old in a premier league team.
Spurs are third at the moment, and there's only three points separating four teams from third to sixth at the moment, so it's not an ideal time for experimentation

[liamoo11]

Would love to see him in our 17s given we are at home then he will have break until preseason and maybe our 19s euros. No reason he should be going to toulon for friendlies of a dubious standard in June

[Olé Olé]

He's come back from injury and blitzed through each team he has played.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-rb-leipzig-plot-swoop-to-sign-tottenham-teenager/

Not sure of how authentic Football Insider reports tend to be but this is positive.

[tetsujin1979]

Interesting
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[tetsujin1979]

Palace streamed the game on their YouTube channel, see below, or you can skip to Flanagan's goal at 1:59:00
Decent strike
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[liamoo11]

Interesting
1117828390617325569

So he realised that his comment that there were not wingers left in England in the 99 age group was incorrect. Hopefully he also realised that saying there were no wingers left in england in the 98 age group was also in correct when he saw barrett on the bench for reading for last 3 games

[liamoo11]

Wonder what lenght of contract Flanagan has at palace?

[SkStu]

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/highlights-swans-u23s-1-tottenham-u23s-2 his goals and hitting post

Man, he really does look a bit special. Took that second goal so calmly.

Question for the resident experts, Liamoo, Sam or Tets... any Irish links to Liam Cullen or Cian Harries (Paul Greene's son? ;) ) in the Swansea line up? Wiki has them both as appearing for Welsh underage teams but there must be some Irish roots there.

[Razors left peg]

Man, he really does look a bit special. Took that second goal so calmly.


Hes a big lad too! He is taller that most of the other players that were celebrating with him. That surprised me.

Really looks such an exciting prospect.

[liamoo11]

Man, he really does look a bit special. Took that second goal so calmly.

Question for the resident experts, Liamoo, Sam or Tets... any Irish links to Liam Cullen or Cian Harries (Paul Greene's son? ;) ) in the Swansea line up? Wiki has them both as appearing for Welsh underage teams but there must be some Irish roots there.

Not that I know of but one of the lads who reports on spurs youth games says Jamie Bowden who played centre midfield in the game for spurs is Irish eligible think he is under 19 next season

[Charlie Darwin]

So he realised that his comment that there were not wingers left in England in the 99 age group was incorrect. Hopefully he also realised that saying there were no wingers left in england in the 98 age group was also in correct when he saw barrett on the bench for reading for last 3 games
Might be wrong but didn't he say no Irish-born/raised wingers in the age group?

[TrapAPony]

Bobby Burns from Antrim who is left back for the Hearts first team should be looked at. He is only 19.

[tetsujin1979]

Might be wrong but didn't he say no Irish-born/raised wingers in the age group?
This is the quote, from https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/stephen-kenny-football-shouldnt-follow-rugby-residency-route-908749.html

“In the years (of players born in) 1998 or 1999 we have no centre-forwards or wingers in England,” he said. “We actually have none. They’ve all come back. Aaron Drinan was in Ipswich but he’s gone back to Waterford. He was the last one. All my players should be 1998 or 1999 but we don’t have any in England. But we do have eight centre-halves.”
I think he meant Irish born players who have gone to England, but it's badly phrased

[samhaydenjr]

Even with Obafemi moving up and Afolabi probably moving out, Southampton U23s are still worth monitoring from an Irish point of view: they beat Sunderland 5-1 with Will Smallbone scoring a penalty and both Thomas O'Connor and Will Ferry being credited with assists: https://www.premierleague.com/match/39423/premier-league-2/2018-19/southampton-v-sunderland

[Closed Account]

1124442602479214593

Southampton into PL2 Div2 promotion playoff final, v Newcastle.

[tetsujin1979]

19 year old Kian Flanagan named Crystal Palace U23 player of the season: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2019/april/kian-flanagan-named-u23s-player-of-the-season/

[DeLorean]

Idah, Connolly & Smallbone make up a third of the shortlist for the Premier League 2 Player of the Year Award - https://www.premierleague.com/news/1210894