U23 players 2019/20

[tommy_c12000]

A few of thoughts as the season starts in earnest:

- It is disappointing to see Lee O’Connor not secure a loan move yet. He has served his time in the limited Under 23 league, now it’s time to get first team football. The chances of him making it decrease if he spends another season dwindling in the under 23s. It is clear that this under 23 league is no substitute for first team football, and I think one year max of regular under 23 football is all a player should stay at this level.

- No mention of Aaron Connolly loan. Thought someone like stoke city would have moved for him given their clear deficiencies up front last weekend. He’s likely too rated at Brighton to go out on loan, so may see some first team football soon, despite the prognosis of his preseason.

- Conor Coventry is under 23 captain for west ham this year. I think it’s reasonable for him to stay at this level, with some league cup action now that josh cullen has left. Although I’d obviously prefer loan option.

- A championship or continent loan move would be excellent for Parrott. With Dybala signing his first team opportunities will be even more limited. Although I’m easy either way considering his tender age and excellent development he’s getting at spurs, a loan is certainly not without risks.

- I’m excited by Kilkenny. Hopefully Harry Wilson’s arrival won’t affect his first team appearances too much. He should press for 6 month loan deal if it does.

- Travers is in a predicament. He made mistakes preseason and will do well to secure a bench spot ahead of Ramsdale for upcoming season. Boruc will start as number 1. Begovic is still at club but Travers is probably just about ahead of him. If he isn’t at least back up to Boruc, he should attempt to secure a quick loan move, although not many champ/L1/L2 clubs appear to be on the look out for a first choice keeper on loan. Burton was actually a great move by O’Hara. All Kelleher can really do for the season is bide his time with under 23s, no league team would take a chance with a loan for him. He was unlucky with his wrist injury preseason, now he’s in no mans land for this season. Adrian is number 2, he’s hardly a top keeper so you never know Caomhin may see some league cup action. I read an interview with him that he wasn’t concerned about finding a loan move, and that it’s different for goalkeepers with the focus on technique and staying as back up goalkeeper should be fine for him at current time. I see his point but don’t buy it entirely, goalkeepers still need first team football to fine tune their development early in their career, and he risks falling by the wayside if he doesn’t start playing some soon.

it is clear that finding suitable loan deals is getting harder and harder for the top clubs. The under 23 league is useful for short term development but if you stay longer than is needed at that level you can easily stagnate as evidenced by a number of young players in the past. An obvious solution would be putting reserve (B) teams in lower leagues such as league 2 and conference, however, that would be met with fierce resistance by established lower tier clubs. This works well in Spain and Germany.

[Olé Olé]

Conor Coventry is looking likely for a League One move. Bolton, Ipswich and (of course) Coventry are in for him.

https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/insider-report-coventry-city-bolton-wanderers-and-ipswich-town-want-conor-coventry-on-loan-from-west-ham/amp/

[tetsujin1979]

Troy Parrot not included in Spurs U23 squad for today's game against Liverpool. Spurs first team are playing Villa this evening.

[Diggs246]

Troy Parrot not included in Spurs U23 squad for today's game against Liverpool. Spurs first team are playing Villa this evening.
Excellent news i guess?

[tetsujin1979]

I guess we'll know in about three hours when the team is announced!

[Razors left peg]

After wondering all summer it's a bit disappointing how few Irish lads made the first team squads this weekend

[Eirambler]

Mixed bag overall. Four starters at Sheffield United is good. Looks like Parrott will bench, Obafemi has made the bench.

Travers probably the big disappointment. Didn't take his chance in pre season - was a huge opportunity for him.

The other disappointment is that Connolly appears to have made no progress at all. Needs a decent loan move now.

[Razors left peg]

Parrott not on bench...

[samhaydenjr]

So the first weekend of the EPL (and second of The Championship) turned out to be a bit of a disappointment in terms of our hopes for young players emerging in the immediate term. Really the only developments that Mick could realistically make use of for uncapped/almost uncapped players would be the fact that Josh Cullen is back in The Championship and that Michael Obafemi is still getting decent gametime at Southampton - these would be the two I think he should play against Bulgaria, with Obafemi an option as an impact sub against Switzerland. For all the other youngsters we have talked about in pre-season, it looks like it will be the New Year, at least, before they would be in contention.

In U23 action, not a whole lot to report - but there was an interesting mirroring of Irish players in two games on Friday - Adam Idah and Conor Coventry did both line out for Norwich and West Ham respectively, William Hondermarck (Norwich) and Anthony Scully (West Ham) came on as second-half subs while two seventeen-year-olds were unused subs - Euro U17s star Andrew Omobamidele for Norwich and a goalkeeper named Daniel Jinadu for the Hammers... both played today for their clubs' U18s
https://www.premierleague.com/match/50473/premier-league-2/2019-20/norwich-v-swansea
https://www.premierleague.com/match/50475/premier-league-2/2019-20/west-ham-v-fulham

[Olé Olé]

Are you saying Daniel Jinadu is Irish? Google is bringing me nothing in that regard.

[Eirambler]

Can't say I've heard of him before but it would appear so.

https://www.premierleague.com/players/33127/Daniel-Jinadu/overview

[Olé Olé]

Can't say I've heard of him before but it would appear so.

https://www.premierleague.com/players/33127/Daniel-Jinadu/overview

https://www.whufc.com/teams/academy/squad/daniel-jinadu

[tetsujin1979]

Jinadu is a strange one. The search results I've seen say he's Nigerian born, and England-raised.
Seems to have been involved with the England U16s as well.
But his Instagram page has an Irish flag, alongside a Nigerian one, in his bio, and it includes a photo of him in an England lineup!

[liamoo11]

So the first weekend of the EPL (and second of The Championship) turned out to be a bit of a disappointment in terms of our hopes for young players emerging in the immediate term. Really the only developments that Mick could realistically make use of for uncapped/almost uncapped players would be the fact that Josh Cullen is back in The Championship and that Michael Obafemi is still getting decent gametime at Southampton - these would be the two I think he should play against Bulgaria, with Obafemi an option as an impact sub against Switzerland. For all the other youngsters we have talked about in pre-season, it looks like it will be the New Year, at least, before they would be in contention.

In U23 action, not a whole lot to report - but there was an interesting mirroring of Irish players in two games on Friday - Adam Idah and Conor Coventry did both line out for Norwich and West Ham respectively, William Hondermarck (Norwich) and Anthony Scully (West Ham) came on as second-half subs while two seventeen-year-olds were unused subs - Euro U17s star Andrew Omobamidele for Norwich and a goalkeeper named Daniel Jinadu for the Hammers... both played today for their clubs' U18s
https://www.premierleague.com/match/50473/premier-league-2/2019-20/norwich-v-swansea
https://www.premierleague.com/match/50475/premier-league-2/2019-20/west-ham-v-fulham

Great to see Scully fit after nearly 2 years of minimal football. He is talented hopefully he can have a career in the game

[Charlie Darwin]

Are you saying Daniel Jinadu is Irish? Google is bringing me nothing in that regard.
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/soccer/honours-are-even-in-tense-fourgoal-thriller-27813175.html

[Closed Account]

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/soccer/honours-are-even-in-tense-fourgoal-thriller-27813175.html
Not immediately obvious from that but that is a very detailed report for an NDSL Under 10 Cup, Group 11 match in 2011

[liamoo11]

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/soccer/honours-are-even-in-tense-fourgoal-thriller-27813175.html

That's some find Charles

[Eirambler]

I wonder how long he spent in Ireland? Frustrating to see players that have grown up and played football in the country lining out for England.

[Olé Olé]

Some find. Don't know so the time spans between Ireland, Nigeria and England.

[tetsujin1979]

Gavin Bazunu started in goals for Man City U23 today against Southampton - still only 17. Southampton had Aaron O'Driscoll, Tom O'Connor, and Will Smallbone in their starting XI, Will Ferry came on in the second half, and Kameron Ledwidge was an unused substitute.
City were 2-0 up at half time, but lost 4-3, with O'Connor scoring Southampton's second
City review: https://www.mancity.com/news/eds/match-report/2019/august/man-city-eds-southampton-match-report-11-august-premier-league-2
Southampton review: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2019-08-11/u23-report-southampton-manchester-city-premier-league-2-1920

Tyreke Wilson not in the City squad, but he did play in their preseason games.

[tommy_c12000]

Based on where our players are right now and preseason performances, I would say this weekend went as expected.

Prem:
- Obafemi getting more prem exposure, hopefully can stay fit
- Sheff United irish the most prominent - great to see Stevens, Egan, Robinson doing well. I’m not a fan of McG. Would love to see Egan ousting the soon-to-be 33 yr old Keogh, but suspect McCarthy will stick with the latter
- Hourihane did ok yesterday but he’s not a defensive midfielder, can’t see him continuing in that role this season
- Travers paid the price for underperforming preseason, Ramsdale did okay. Time for him to find a loan before sept 2.
- Wilsons arrival at Bournemouth precluded Kilkennys bench spot. Ideally loan time.
- Parrott will be eased in slowly this side of Christmas. This is prudent
- Connolly nowhere to be seen. Murray was poor yesterday, is getting slower every year and is 35. Fans getting restless. Connolly will get a chance in the coming months
- Duffy solid defensively but woeful distribution as always
- Kelleher may have bench spot for a couple of games if he can recover quickly with Allison injured
- O’Connor is nowhere, needs loan before sept 2
- Coventry is nowhere, needs loan before sept 2. Preference Coventry or Ipswich. Bolton are a mess
- Idah outside matchday squad. This one is tricky as he urgently needs first team football and won’t see a lot of it this side of Christmas as 4th choice striker. I would prefer a Sunderland loan with recall option given they’re light on strikers
- Dunne nowhere with Burnley. Long a squad player. Hard to see a significant Irish future here for either

Champ:
- Collins showed his rawness last weekend and Lindsay replaced him yesterday as expected. He will continue to get exposure though as season goes on and is our most exciting center back prospect
- No knight on derby bench which was disappointing
- Molumby will hopefully start league cup Tuesday night back from injury
- O’Shea bench warming again
- No Masterson in squad
- Barrett relegated to bench
- Cullen was outstanding for Charlton. Such a great move for him. Exciting prospect. Needs to be capped
- Promising start by Maguire, needs to stay fit
Another good performance by Crowley. Needs to be capped

I remain optimistic. It’s early days in the season. The coming weeks gives our prospects league cup opportunities, and the potential of injuries opening up more chances

[liamoo11]

Based on where our players are right now and preseason performances, I would say this weekend went as expected.

Prem:
- Obafemi getting more prem exposure, hopefully can stay fit
- Sheff United irish the most prominent - great to see Stevens, Egan, Robinson doing well. I’m not a fan of McG. Would love to see Egan ousting the soon-to-be 33 yr old Keogh, but suspect McCarthy will stick with the latter
- Hourihane did ok yesterday but he’s not a defensive midfielder, can’t see him continuing in that role this season
- Travers paid the price for underperforming preseason, Ramsdale did okay. Time for him to find a loan before sept 2.
- Wilsons arrival at Bournemouth precluded Kilkennys bench spot. Ideally loan time.
- Parrott will be eased in slowly this side of Christmas. This is prudent
- Connolly nowhere to be seen. Murray was poor yesterday, is getting slower every year and is 35. Fans getting restless. Connolly will get a chance in the coming months
- Duffy solid defensively but woeful distribution as always
- Kelleher may have bench spot for a couple of games if he can recover quickly with Allison injured
- O’Connor is nowhere, needs loan before sept 2
- Coventry is nowhere, needs loan before sept 2. Preference Coventry or Ipswich. Bolton are a mess
- Idah outside matchday squad. This one is tricky as he urgently needs first team football and won’t see a lot of it this side of Christmas as 4th choice striker. I would prefer a Sunderland loan with recall option given they’re light on strikers
- Dunne nowhere with Burnley. Long a squad player. Hard to see a significant Irish future here for either

Champ:
- Collins showed his rawness last weekend and Lindsay replaced him yesterday as expected. He will continue to get exposure though as season goes on and is our most exciting center back prospect
- No knight on derby bench which was disappointing
- Molumby will hopefully start league cup Tuesday night back from injury
- O’Shea bench warming again
- No Masterson in squad
- Barrett relegated to bench
- Cullen was outstanding for Charlton. Such a great move for him. Exciting prospect. Needs to be capped
- Promising start by Maguire, needs to stay fit
Another good performance by Crowley. Needs to be capped

I remain optimistic. It’s early days in the season. The coming weeks gives our prospects league cup opportunities, and the potential of injuries opening up more chances

O dowda hopefully wont be frozen out at Bristol city wasnt in old ed I dont think at weekend. Maybe foreign move is a possibility?Browne was droped for Preston at weekend.

[DeLorean]

O dowda hopefully wont be frozen out at Bristol city wasnt in old ed I dont think at weekend. Maybe foreign move is a possibility?Browne was droped for Preston at weekend.

O'Dowda seems to be freezing himself out. They were keen to get him to sign a new contract but he seemed to favour a move, possibly in limbo a bit now alright.

A bit more on Browne being dropped here - https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/pne-news/big-decisions-over-leaving-out-regulars-doesn-t-faze-me-says-preston-north-end-boss-alex-neil-1-9928759

[liamoo11]

O'Dowda seems to be freezing himself out. They were keen to get him to sign a new contract but he seemed to favour a move, possibly in limbo a bit now alright.

A bit more on Browne being dropped here - https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/pne-news/big-decisions-over-leaving-out-regulars-doesn-t-faze-me-says-preston-north-end-boss-alex-neil-1-9928759

It's always been hard to see Browne as a creative 10 hopefully he can get back in there as an 8 where he would maybe be more likely to play for us now that crowley has the 10 nailed down!

[liamoo11]

Masterson didn't play for QPR's 23s today hopefully means he involved in cup this week for them

[tommy_c12000]

Lonergan reportedly offered one year deal to cover as back up as Allison is out for a few weeks. Kelleher still not 100%, terribly unlucky with the timing

[Closed Account]

2 for Connolly so far this evening.

[tommy_c12000]

Good to see Connolly score 2. He will get his chance in the coming weeks, under 23s is no place for him, so hopefully Brighton will allow him leave either to league 1 or continent by sept 2 if he’s genuinely not in Potters plans. Maupay signing definitely hurt him.

Klopp name checking caomhin as probable number 2 to Adrian once fully recovered, despite Lonergan signing. Good to see:

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1164887/Liverpool-transfer-news-Jurgen-Klopp-Alisson-Andy-Lonergan-Caoimhin-Kelleher-Super-Cup/amp (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1164887/Liverpool-transfer-news-Jurgen-Klopp-Alisson-Andy-Lonergan-Caoimhin-Kelleher-Super-Cup/amp)

[Razors left peg]

"Striker Connolly and Steven Alzate had been at the Amex earlier in the day, and included in the club’s first-team photoshoot. (https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/galleries/1310402/gallery-photocall-at-the-amex) Along with Romanian international Tudor Baluta, the pair have been training with the first team, under new head coach Graham Potter."

From the match report on the Brighton website. Thats positive at least

[samhaydenjr]

2 for Connolly so far this evening.

Elsewhere, Ali Reghba started for Leicester's U23s tonight: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50609/premier-league-2/2019-20/everton-v-leicester

Bit of a pleasant surprise: Jordan McEneff seemed to have drifted out of contention for Arsenal's U18s last season, but came on as a half-time sub for their U23s against Blackburn - Nathan Tormey also played: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50606/premier-league-2/2019-20/blackburn-v-arsenal

[liamoo11]

Elsewhere, Ali Reghba started for Leicester's U23s tonight: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50609/premier-league-2/2019-20/everton-v-leicester

Bit of a pleasant surprise: Jordan McEneff seemed to have drifted out of contention for Arsenal's U18s last season, but came on as a half-time sub for their U23s against Blackburn - Nathan Tormey also played: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50606/premier-league-2/2019-20/blackburn-v-arsenal

That's great mceneff has missed the vast majority of his 2 years there with injuries and tormey see.ed to miss a similiar amount of time injured as well

[tommy_c12000]

Connolly’s goals: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/my-albion-tv/videos/1310875/u23-highlights-albion-2-wolves-0/

[tetsujin1979]

Gavin Bazunu started in goals for Man City U23 today against Southampton - still only 17. Southampton had Aaron O'Driscoll, Tom O'Connor, and Will Smallbone in their starting XI, Will Ferry came on in the second half, and Kameron Ledwidge was an unused substitute.
City were 2-0 up at half time, but lost 4-3, with O'Connor scoring Southampton's second
City review: https://www.mancity.com/news/eds/match-report/2019/august/man-city-eds-southampton-match-report-11-august-premier-league-2
Southampton review: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2019-08-11/u23-report-southampton-manchester-city-premier-league-2-1920

Tyreke Wilson not in the City squad, but he did play in their preseason games.

Southampton have put their goals from the game on Twitter, O'Connor's is the second.
1160850493792489472

[Diggs246]

Jayus, Gavin was awful for the first three goals there.

I would be more worried about goal number 3 where he looked like a complete amateur with his positioning

[Razors left peg]

Connolly’s goals: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/my-albion-tv/videos/1310875/u23-highlights-albion-2-wolves-0/

2 excellent finishes

[liamoo11]

Molumby and o shea get starts and Masterson on bench in cup tonight. Knight and Collins also start

[tetsujin1979]

U19 cap James Clarke is on the bench for Mansfield as well

[liamoo11]

Molumby seems to be getting good reviews on Twitter for what that is worth

[tommy_c12000]

Molumby seems to be getting good reviews on Twitter for what that is worth

Indeed. Fans want him in place of Williams, still not fully match fit though. In addition, Collins was very good (judging by Stoke forum), and Knight was excellent as well (per twitter and forum) and was specifically name checked by Cocu as being particularly impressive. Only league cup, but extremely promising

[Eirambler]

A really positive evening for Molumby, Collins and Knight. Three outstanding young players - if they can stay clear of bad injuries they could form the backbone of our senior team for years.

[tetsujin1979]

Mason O'Malley, who's been included in extended underage squads, was named on the bench for Scunthorpe

[liamoo11]

Indeed. Fans want him in place of Williams, still not fully match fit though. In addition, Collins was very good (judging by Stoke forum), and Knight was excellent as well (per twitter and forum) and was specifically name checked by Cocu as being particularly impressive. Only league cup, but extremely promising

Good to see millwall , QPR and derby get through. The premier league sides come in next round so hopefully idah, Coventry, smallbone and parrott are involved then.

[Olé Olé]

A really positive evening for Molumby, Collins and Knight. Three outstanding young players - if they can stay clear of bad injuries they could form the backbone of our senior team for years.
Amazing to think Knight and Collins are only 18. And Molumby has played the same amount of football as them at 20 given his almost 2 year lay off.

The Derby Telegraph are happy with Knight. He gets a 7.5: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-player-ratings-bielik-3206390

[tetsujin1979]

Parrot named against man city U23s with Bazunu in goals for city.
Still no sign of Tyreke Wilson

[Razors left peg]

Parrot named against man city U23s with Bazunu in goals for city.
Still no sign of Tyreke Wilson

Not very surprising that Parrott not in first team squad against City.

[tetsujin1979]

Not really, no. Away from home, against the champions, would be a massive ask for anyone to make their debut!

[tetsujin1979]

Noticed that Connolly is not named in the Brighton u23 squad against Arsenal. O'Hora starts in defence for them, and McEneff on the bench for Arsenal

[tetsujin1979]

Parrot opens the scoring for spurs!

[tommy_c12000]

2-0 after 50 minutes. Parrott just hit crossbar as well. Reassuringly both goals appear top corner so hopefully Bazuna not culpable like last week.

Connolly not in Brighton u23s Vs Arsenal, and United playing in second division where O’Connor continues to waste away at. Should we read anything into that other than a rest following midweek game? He’s basically their 5th choice striker so can’t see him playing prior to league cup

[liamoo11]

Parrott got peno as well but went off injured unfortunately