Mason Melia F St Pats b.2007

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Acornvilla

Playing right now on LOITV for all you aspiring football scouts :D

---

Where he didn't do much after coming on as a sub. I'm gonna tap out on this myself for now because I don't want get entrenched in criticizing him and make it seem like I don't want him to do well. I'd love him to be great, but right now I personally don't see any great attributes other than him being a fairly big lad for a 16 year old

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Where he didn't do much after coming on as a sub. I'm gonna tap out on this myself for now because I don't want get entrenched in criticizing him and make it seem like I don't want him to do well. I'd love him to be great, but right now I personally don't see any great attributes other than him being a fairly big lad for a 16 year old

---

I feel like he suffered much the same problems I mentioned before, very isolated. Took the ball down and laid it off a couple of times, but otherwise Pat's barely got out of their own half tbf.

Rovers should be 3 or 4 up and xoncede a suckered equaliser for drogs. I knew all those missed chances would haunt us. Big last 10 mins

I think Mason will be a very good footballer in the long run. Long way to go at 16 but he’s in the same talent bracket as Troy

Am I right in saying that from that international U-17 team last year, Akachukwu, Razi, Harnett, and Melia have all played senior men's LOI football at the age of 16? A quick glance at transfermarkt tells me that's correct. Probably more. That's a good crop of potentially elite-level footballers we have. :rolleyes:

I'm biased towards Harnett as he's my friend's colleague's nephew. And to be ready to play LOI First Division at 16 (now 17) and positively affect games (which he's doing) is a great sign for a young lad. But FFS I'm not going to claim that he could be elite level, and possibly the heir apparent to Seamus Coleman, because he's playing and doing well in men's football now.

He could get there. He's all potential, you never know. And I remember some prescient/lucky posters on here in 2008/9 who predicted that Seamus Coleman would have a high-level career in the game, when he was killing it at Sligo Rovers. And Melia could get there, if he has elite-level focus, drive, coachability, and the luck to end up in a supportive, positive environment and get a pathway to top-level football, and - very importantly - remains injury-free. So could Akachukwu, Razi, Orazi, etc. But all that is a big 'if'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

CSAD you must be very young or something, your attitude comes across that way. Here's the thing, no one can prove one way or another that their opinion is right on this, all we are both doing is looking at what he's done to this point and drawing different conclusions. I brought up Robbie in 1998 because he's our last generational talent that we have had, Ferguson has shown flashes and I do think he is going to be fantastic but even with him there's no guarantee at this point.

No one is writing off Melia, but some of us also haven't seen special with him on the football pitch and are judging him on that.

---

I dont really see how my age comes into things, are you getting emotional now because you cant help the fact that I'm right?

There's a reason you've gone back to 1998, its because you know that the vast majority of generational strikers we've had since prove that I'm right and you know that so you've desperately gone to the 90s to find an example, it doesn't wash I'm afraid. I would also say based on the fact you've gone back to the 90s tells me you are a slightly older gentleman who doesnt get the modern game.

And like I've highlighted repeatedly, you are rarely going to see something special from a 16 year old playing mens football at this point...not every generational talent is going to look like Yamal or Endrick at 16 years old...

I hope everyone is enjoying the new light touch moderation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Am I right in saying that from that international U-17 team last year, Akachukwu, Razi, Harnett, and Melia have all played senior men's LOI football at the age of 16? A quick glance at transfermarkt tells me that's correct. Probably more. That's a good crop of potentially elite-level footballers we have. :rolleyes:

I'm biased towards Harnett as he's my friend's colleague's nephew. And to be ready to play LOI First Division at 16 (now 17) and positively affect games (which he's doing) is a great sign for a young lad. But FFS I'm not going to claim that he could be elite level, and possibly the heir apparent to Seamus Coleman, because he's playing and doing well in men's football now.

He could get there. He's all potential, you never know. And I remember some prescient/lucky posters on here in 2008/9 who predicted that Seamus Coleman would have a high-level career in the game, when he was killing it at Sligo Rovers. And Melia could get there, if he has elite-level focus, drive, coachability, and the luck to end up in a supportive, positive environment and get a pathway to top-level football, and - very importantly - remains injury-free. So could Akachukwu, Razi, Orazi, etc. But all that is a big 'if'.

---

In regards to the Harnett/Coleman comparison you're damned by you're own words then because by that same logic Coleman didnt look like he'd be elite either...played 4 league games by the age of 18...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John83

I hope everyone is enjoying the new light touch moderation.

---

:laugh:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CSAD

I dont really see how my age comes into things, are you getting emotional now because you cant help the fact that I'm right?

There's a reason you've gone back to 1998, its because you know that the vast majority of generational strikers we've had since prove that I'm right and you know that so you've desperately gone to the 90s to find an example, it doesn't wash I'm afraid. I would also say based on the fact you've gone back to the 90s tells me you are a slightly older gentleman who doesnt get the modern game.

And like I've highlighted repeatedly, you are rarely going to see something special from a 16 year old playing mens football at this point...not every generational talent is going to look like Yamal or Endrick at 16 years old...

---

We've never had a 'generational striker'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John83

I hope everyone is enjoying the new light touch moderation.

---

:D

I would not be so patient, I'd like to take a more meaningful part in some discussions here but honestly, some posts I just glaze past and could never have the energy to engage with at this point. Fair play to all of you posting from the trenches

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Am I right in saying that from that international U-17 team last year, Akachukwu, Razi, Harnett, and Melia have all played senior men's LOI football at the age of 16? A quick glance at transfermarkt tells me that's correct. Probably more. That's a good crop of potentially elite-level footballers we have. :rolleyes:

I'm biased towards Harnett as he's my friend's colleague's nephew. And to be ready to play LOI First Division at 16 (now 17) and positively affect games (which he's doing) is a great sign for a young lad. But FFS I'm not going to claim that he could be elite level, and possibly the heir apparent to Seamus Coleman, because he's playing and doing well in men's football now.

He could get there. He's all potential, you never know. And I remember some prescient/lucky posters on here in 2008/9 who predicted that Seamus Coleman would have a high-level career in the game, when he was killing it at Sligo Rovers. And Melia could get there, if he has elite-level focus, drive, coachability, and the luck to end up in a supportive, positive environment and get a pathway to top-level football, and - very importantly - remains injury-free. So could Akachukwu, Razi, Orazi, etc. But all that is a big 'if'.

---

To be fair, all the players you mentioned were used either vary sparingly, rarely, or not at all in the LOI Premier Division.

Akachukwu was a regular in the First Division for Waterford, where it's much easier to bring an underage player through, much the same as the young lad at Wexford. He hardly kicked a ball in the Premier Division for Waterford this season before being moved on this summer.

Likewise Naj Razi was seen as a huge talent, but played 4 or 5 games for Shamrock Rovers. Justin Ferizaj another mentioned, he looked a quality player, but didn't really become a first team fixture there and hardly kicked a ball for the senior team last year before moving on.

Melia only really nailed down a first team place this season, but only 12 of his 26 league appearances this season have been from the start. Majority of his games off the bench, and a handful of those games only for a couple of minutes at the end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John83

I hope everyone is enjoying the new light touch moderation.

---

At least there's conversation

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John83

I hope everyone is enjoying the new light touch moderation.

---

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e1wu...is-is-fine.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

At least the clubs hes being linked with are more realistic now, he was linked with Man City for a while. Even at only 16 I think he'd need to be getting more goals in the LOI if he was to be in with a realistic chance of moving to an elite club and making it to the 1st team.

Its a harsh assessment to say a 16 year old should be doing more, but in the context of what young players who make the break through at top clubs do early I think the standard in the LOI at the moment is of a low enough level that Melia only having 3 goals in 29 games doesnt stand out as being someone who makes it into Man Citys squad. Man United just signed a Danish 16 year old kid from Arsenal and promised him that hes going to be 3rd choice striker this season. Thats the type of player Melia at 16 is measured against with elite clubs.

Im not writing off Melia by any means, but if he goes on to be as good as Kevin Doyle that is a massive success.

---

Just as a reminder, this was the post that kicked it all off, the one that CSAD took exception to and, rightly enough, challenged parts of it quite well with some very valid counterpoints on players who are now considered elite and what they were doing at 16. Somehow it veered into this "generational" talent argument where, in my opinion, it is just too early to say. Too many variables with a 16 year old who, lets be frank, is still just a LOI prem player.

For a 16 year old, there's not much more he can be doing to shine a light on himself as one to watch, as someone who has a very high ceiling. I think Bungle said it best.

Quote:

---

Melia is an exceptional talent. He may end up playing Leinster Senior League in five years or he may be world class in the future. Right now, I'd be judging him against 16 year olds and there aren't too many better. Harry Kane was a very good 16 year old but he was far from the best. His desire and attitude got him to that place. He's a blueprint for any young player who wants to get to the top.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

At least there's conversation

---

Always good. It's a topic better suited to discussion rather than argument. It'll be very interesting to see how Melia does, and encouraging, because it is rare for 16-year-olds to be trusted in senior football. I do think LOI clubs have nothing to lose by blooding a highly-rated underage international ahead of the usual 'never-will-be' squad filler journeyman, if nothing more than to put a sellable asset in the shop window. I don't think Melia getting his game at 16 is any indicator of 'elite' talent - just that he's physically and emotionally mature enough to play men's football, which is rare and encouraging, but doesn't give us any insight whatsoever into the level he'll be at in five or ten years. Physically, he has another few years of growth ahead of him - he could end up being 6'8". The Irish Jan Koller.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

Just as a reminder, this was the post that kicked it all off, the one that CSAD took exception to and, rightly enough, challenged parts of it quite well with some very valid counterpoints on players who are now considered elite and what they were doing at 16. Somehow it veered into this "generational" talent argument where, in my opinion, it is just too early to say. Too many variables with a 16 year old who, lets be frank, is still just a LOI prem player.

For a 16 year old, there's not much more he can be doing to shine a light on himself as one to watch, as someone who has a very high ceiling. I think Bungle said it best.

---

One thing I need to clarify, I'm not necessarily saying he WILL be generational. What I took exception to was certain posters lower what his potential ceiling could be just because he basically isn't scoring a goal a game at senior level at 16 years old...

The reality is, like you said, its far too early to make a call on what level he could reach but as things stand the level of being generational is still on the table just like the level of LSL is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Always good. It's a topic better suited to discussion rather than argument. It'll be very interesting to see how Melia does, and encouraging, because it is rare for 16-year-olds to be trusted in senior football. I do think LOI clubs have nothing to lose by blooding a highly-rated underage international ahead of the usual 'never-will-be' squad filler journeyman, if nothing more than to put a sellable asset in the shop window. I don't think Melia getting his game at 16 is any indicator of 'elite' talent - just that he's physically and emotionally mature enough to play men's football, which is rare and encouraging, but doesn't give us any insight whatsoever into the level he'll be at in five or ten years. Physically, he has another few years of growth ahead of him - he could end up being 6'8". The Irish Jan Koller.

---

I wouldn't even say Melia is that big. He's tall yes but if you look at him physically he looks like he's skin and bone, he doesnt look as physically developed at Ferguson did at the same age anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Always good. It's a topic better suited to discussion rather than argument. It'll be very interesting to see how Melia does, and encouraging, because it is rare for 16-year-olds to be trusted in senior football. I do think LOI clubs have nothing to lose by blooding a highly-rated underage international ahead of the usual 'never-will-be' squad filler journeyman, if nothing more than to put a sellable asset in the shop window. I don't think Melia getting his game at 16 is any indicator of 'elite' talent - just that he's physically and emotionally mature enough to play men's football, which is rare and encouraging, but doesn't give us any insight whatsoever into the level he'll be at in five or ten years. Physically, he has another few years of growth ahead of him - he could end up being 6'8". The Irish Jan Koller.

---

To be honest when I wrote the first post as Stu highlighted I knew it was a controversial point of view because there just seems to be an acceptance that he's going to be elite simply because he's 16 and playing football. I'm happy that it sparked a bit of conversation that in generally lacking on here most days. We could have done without the name calling I suppose, and it does show people will get upset about anything on the internet :)

Everything in this conversation are opinions on whether Melia will be an elite level player. There's is zero proof of who's right, but I don't think anyone should be getting angry about the other side opinion because even those of us who don't believe he's going to be a top player hope we are wrong

Given his age, playing incredibly well today as a target man against the best team he's ever faced. Laying the ball off surprisingly well under pressure in general, great energy closing down up front, not being bullied. Had a chance to score through 1 on 1, but didn't quite have the legs and decisiveness to take the shot early and wasted the opportunity. Definitely promising.