U23 Development League 2021/2022

[Unused Sub]

7 hours ago, OutByEaster? said:

Talk of the league going to an U21 format next season (with a limited number of over 21 players) - should suit us.

Around 2011-13 the reserve league was reformated to U21 and a couple of years later was extended to U23 so its not anything new.

Its too long ago to rememeber what the over age limit was back then.

Anyway, overall it shouldn't affect us too much if at all.

[sir_gary_cahill]

On 25/04/2022 at 20:24, OutByEaster? said:

2-1 down, which is a shame as it sounds like we've had more of it in the second half.

Rowe on for Afoka, who missed a chance just before their second goal.

Is this Triston Rowe? Am I right in thinking he’s only an u16 centre back that we bought from WBA? I remember Andre Green and Jake Walker both making their debuts for the u23s as u16s. Andre Green is now at Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Super Liga and Jake Walker is now at Newtown in the Welsh Premier League but I also remember Jack Grealish making his debut for the u23 debut as an u16 and even being named in the first team squad against Chelsea at home that same season, look at him now

[Dadster23]

It was Teddy Rowe.

[useless]

Abldeen-Goodridge played for Reading in their 3-1 win over Fulham on Monday.

[BOF]

11 hours ago, useless said:

Abldeen-Goodridge played for Reading in their 3-1 win over Fulham on Monday.

The dirty Jezebel.

[villa4europe]

Based on their out of contract list that someone posted elsewhere it could be a good move, they're down to about 7 senior players this summer 

[useless]

If we're letting him as seems to be the case given he's recently had trials with Newcastle and Reading, then I hope he gets a decent move, seemed like he was putting in a lot of hard work last summer with a personal trainer, and I thought he was much improved this season at U23 level. I think he did pretty well in the EFL Trophy against first team oppossition, so I'm guessing he will have some good offers, as I imagine will be the case with all of the players we let go.

Edited April 29, 2022 by useless

[Phil Silvers]

 

[Phil Silvers]

 

[messi11]

Which of the starting 11 do you think is good enough to break into our first team?
Patterson could be a talent 

Edited May 2, 2022 by messi11

[lexicon]

O'Reilly has to be the most improved young player this season - really made a step up.

Not seen Young before, he looks a talent. Frith playing well too. 

[MWARLEY2]

We seem to be able to develop midfielders for fun thats for sure. Patterson looks great in central mid along with O'Reilly 

Patterson is still at school . Will be about to do his GCSEs

Edited May 2, 2022 by MWARLEY2

[MWARLEY2]

Lovely finish from Newcastle from 45  yards 

[lexicon]

Zych  

Whoops. Good technique for the finish. 

[MWARLEY2]

42 minutes.. Travis Patterson gets into trouble with 2 around him.Shows beautiful skill to extracate himself and then plays a wonderful long ball from right to left to set Villa off 

[useless]

Everyon having a good game, maybe Vassilve a little quiet and could do with more from Frith in an attacking sense, but he's still doing well up and down that right hand side, Kadan Young, Patterson, and O'Reilly the standout players, Young's age is being brought up on the commentary, but easy to forget that Patterson is still only sixteen as well. Dominated the game, just need to get our creative players on the ball closer to the Newcastle penalty box, I imagine it won't be long before we see Brad Young.

[lexicon]

Lovely goal. 

[MaVilla]

O'Reilly is a really silky player.

I wonder where he would fit in our first 11, prob in the 10 role?, doesnt look like a no.8 to me.

[useless]

Unlucky result, beaten by two unusual goals. We were a little sloppy in the second half, too eager to play the killer ball and ended up giving it away too many times. A lot of good performances, Kadan Young looks brilliant, Patterson had a great game too, Ealing had a good second half, as did the whole of the defence, shame that they had to be on the losing side.

[OutByEaster?]

Another one of those odd games at Villa Park this season where I thought we played some really nice stuff, were probably the better side and have lost. The first goal was a moment of inspiration from the Newcastle player (although Zych had been too far out of goal on a couple of other occasions before then) and the second one a fluke that was definitely intended as a cross. Ah well.

There were plenty of positives in the performances of individuals and some hope for next season I thought. I'm going to pick out four players.

Sil Swinkels - I thought he had a really good game today, he looked calm, assured and strong at the back, he's developing into a really good centre back, he looks fitter, stronger and quicker and the time he's spent playing left back this season seems to have made him a smarter player, he's seeing things well and he's positionally very good. If you ever hear a frustrated "What do they do with them on the training ground?!?", well, they do this. He's developing nicely.

Tommi O'Reilly - I love his touch and turn and his ability to fake the touch and turn and let the ball run through - he's excellent in tight spaces, sees things quickly and is sharp as a tack - the challenge for him next season is to use all that to make things happen and change games - if he can produce what he has in areas that cause real damage, he's a game changer.

Travis Patterson - he's grown enormously over the course of the season as a player - I thought he was excellent in central midfield today, in the first half hour he made some fantastic runs through the middle and was unlucky not to have been better rewarded, he looks after the ball, can play a pass and has the confidence his technique allows. He was good at left back too, where I think he's played most of his football, and his link up play down the left was very good. 

Kaden Young - today's game was brought to you by Kaden Young, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. He was exceptional today, the best player on the pitch, he's confident, aggressive, he makes things happen, he's got great feet and he's a good size - he could be anything. He had the right back on toast all game and I found myself hoping that the rest of the team would get the ball out to him every time we had it.  Could have had a couple of assists to go with his first goal for the club, it won't be his last. A star is born indeed.

Overall, to rest on that greatest of comfort cliches in a mixed season, this was a year in transition and I think there are now signs of what it is we might be transitioning into.

Of the team that beat Newcastle handsomely in last season's Youth Cup, I think only three played today, this is a definitely a new and young side, but with the two sixteen year olds, Patterson and Young, along with O'Reilly and Taylor-Hart, Swinkels and Feeney at the back (or Smith and Bogarde), Chrisene, Ealing, and perhaps Frith, who was good today, and with the likes of Burchill and Afoke coming through we have a core group and a base for some very exciting football next season.

I think the team needs a focal point and I'm not sure who that will be up top - Vassilev has been an excellent servant in a way for the U23's during his time here, he's a proper grafter and sets a good example, he led the line well today, Brad Young is a similarly strong character, but I'm not sure if he'll be here next season. The same might be true for Hayden Lindley who gives us a solid base and does loads of the unsung work behind some of the talent. There are areas we'll need to strengthen in for sure, but I'm going away from today's game convinced that we'll be competing at the right end of the table next season and we could be a very exciting team to watch.

A season of change and mixed results, but with more than a note of hope for the future at its end.