2015/16 pre-season

[twilight]

Thanks for the info on Maher guys (must've had a sleep when he was loaned out, don't recall his name at all!!!)

[twilight]

Ahhhhh! Jamie Lanister.

[Prufrock]

Does that make twilight Brienne of Tarth?

[bobo the clown]

Does that make twilight Brienne of Tarth?

Or Jamie's sister !!!

[Prufrock]

Has anyone actually watched that training video posted? (again underneath) I initially didn't bother but our kid pointed me to the training game 10 mins onwards.

Now, I make it a mission in life both never to get too excited about any of our kids, and to disagree with Bobo wherever possible, but Zach is a bit special, isn't he? Trying to figure out who the two lads he skins at 11:30 and 13:10 are (best guesses are White and then Taylor) but if he's not careful one of our own is going to kick him up in the air before the season even starts. Absolutely the real deal. Just hope he's not made of glass.

[danardif1]

It annoys me that he didn't get a chance in the first team sooner, because it seems like all this time there's this clearly gifted lad in the youth setup and meanwhile Freedman is loaning in players like Mason to play upfront that whilst he is certainly not terrible, wasn't our own player and hardly set the world alight. This 'eye for youth' that he trumped about failed to spot one of the most talented players he's had at the clubs he's been at...

It was a couple of months between Lennon coming in and Zach getting his debut against Wigan in the Cup, and even then you could say 'why not sooner' but I would suggest he was concentrating on getting the existing 1st team squad functioning as an actual football team first before casting his eye on our younger players. Right from that first game he was electric... just seems to have that awareness of what is going on around him on the pitch.

[bobo the clown]

On firm it's a little bit like that kid who's just simply better than the rest. He is quicker to react and sees the game simply. Maybe there's still a long way to go and so far he's only at 2nd division level and only a dozen or so games at that (thanks Dougie !!). It could all hit a wall and he could be found out or he may be made of glass but I do hope we get the chance to see him grow into a very good player.

... oh, and "told you so !!"

[Prufrock]

The difference between the good and the top class is mental. Tom Walker is only 6 months younger than Clough and has bags of talent, but is clearly not ready yet; his decision-making isn't there. Walker is like Bogdan the year we went down: Talented, but mentally still a kid trying to work out how he's playing with adults. Clough's decision-making is (almost) always right. He's got a long way to go, and as you say, lots can happen but the maturity at that age to always want the ball and to always want to hurt people is fab to watch. He finishes so well too. Michael Owen-like in that it always somehow seems to trickle in.

I still want to know what Boris' inside on Kellet is, coz if he's the real deal too, even if we actually lose him, it shows there's something finally going right in the academy.

[chester white]

What about Osede playing at RB if required? I would hope he's technically proficient with both feet if he's been coached by Zidane for a couple of years.
I'd have looked at Sam Ricketts again after his release by Wolves, but Coventry have signed him. Classic case of a decent honest player who seems better in the brownish hindsight glow of what we've seen since, but was sneered at by many.

Looking at the training video linked, it appears Osede it playing right back in the training game.

[bobo the clown]

^^ for the first part .... and centre half later. I guess they're finding out what they have.

[Dr Hotdog]

Has anyone actually watched that training video posted? (again underneath) I initially didn't bother but our kid pointed me to the training game 10 mins onwards.

Now, I make it a mission in life both never to get too excited about any of our kids, and to disagree with Bobo wherever possible, but Zach is a bit special, isn't he? Trying to figure out who the two lads he skins at 11:30 and 13:10 are (best guesses are White and then Taylor) but if he's not careful one of our own is going to kick him up in the air before the season even starts. Absolutely the real deal. Just hope he's not made of glass.

It's a great video and it highlights plenty (much of which we already knew...):
Rob Hall doing well then immediately fecking it up. He's direct, which is good, but he's almost too raw.
Heskey missing a one-on-one
Walker losing possession trying to go it alone/do too much down a narrow alley (twice)
Clough skinning people willy-nilly (though he really should have squared it after the drag-back move in the far corner)
Pratley having the best engine.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

In all seriousness, if those two get on the same wavelength (and pitch, obvs) they could have some real fun in this division.

[jaffka]

I get the impression that they are going to be fit.

You can also a see that he wants the ball being moved about quickly.

[ChrisC]

Second video is out today so will post when it shows up.

[bobo the clown]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

In all seriousness, if those two get on the same wavelength (and pitch, obvs) they could have some real fun in this division.

Though Mavies has some explaining to do bout that haircut !!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

In all seriousness, if those two get on the same wavelength (and pitch, obvs) they could have some real fun in this division.

Though Mavies has some explaining to do bout that haircut !!

He can have a Mohi as far as I'm concerned, long as he stays fit

[bobo the clown]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

In all seriousness, if those two get on the same wavelength (and pitch, obvs) they could have some real fun in this division.

Though Mavies has some explaining to do bout that haircut !!

He can have a Mohi as far as I'm concerned, long as he stays fit

Well argued.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

In all seriousness, if those two get on the same wavelength (and pitch, obvs) they could have some real fun in this division.

Yes, totally agree. With a bit of luck Clayton will continue his progress too. It's further back that I'm most worried about!

[Dr Hotdog]

Noticed Clough arrived with Mavies. Lets hope they don't end up hanging out too much

In all seriousness, if those two get on the same wavelength (and pitch, obvs) they could have some real fun in this division.

Yes, totally agree. With a bit of luck Clayton will continue his progress too. It's further back that I'm most worried about!

You and me both, those lads have to receive the ball if they're to do any damage on the front foot!