Yep. Though with regards to this bit, I don't think Ashley Young's development was "stunted" by his time here, for instance. Also, we can't be that bad at developing our players if we do produce a decent number who are good enough by the age of 15 to get international call-ups and get nicked by the likes of City and Arsenal. Many of those players would have been developed in our academy for almost a decade already.
Yeah sure, the Pozzos on purpose push-out potentially multi-million £pound talents to bigger clubs' academies for nothing.
We did let him go once I believe? Or were going to as he was too small. A few seem to have done ok at a lower level. I notice George Byers is popping up at Sheffield Wednesday scoring goals. I think the main issue is those Under 23s players we do get from other clubs don't even seem to make it. Can we be certain the likes of Pollock, Hungbo and Baah will get a chance here?
If they're good enough they will. The most comparable player to them in recent past is probably Wilmot, who unlike some on here I don't think was treated particularly unfairly. He was given about enough game time with us as his talent deserved and now seems to have found his level as part of a back 3 with a mid-table Champ club in Stoke.
Yeovils manager Darren Sarll (yes, the ex-head of our academy) has resigned and ****ed off to Woking. Probably not great news for Lo-Everton (although he hasn't made the match squad in recent weeks anyway)
Shaq Fordes loan at Kings Langley has been terminated as he's going to be part of the first team squad going forward. Interesting move..
Well done to him. Looks very impressive from what I've seen, which isn't a lot. Have we finally found an academy graduate that might actually contribute to the first team??
They must have been reading my post on Facebook suggesting that he and another young striker called Jack Grieves could be promoted to the 1st team bench for our run in and used as possible late subs for 10 mins if we were desperate to score. As they have both been scoring quite a bit this season and might prove a bit of a surprise package for our opposition.
Good decision. We need to bubble wrap any sellable asset for the end of season fire sale. Give the kids a chance
Recalled from a loan at a what, 8th tier side, to suddenly be thrust into the Premier League six weeks from the end of the season? Bizarre.
Forde was chasing shadows when he came on vs Leicester. Still, I'm pleased we're giving him more of a try.
Preparing for when we're relegated with a few games to go and can't play Sarr anymore in case he scores or assists a couple of goals and we need to pay another £400k we can't afford.
Have we ever heard from these 2 about their roles? I think Jonno was just given a new job after his spell ringing people isolating during lockdown ended tbh.
It’s going to be a difficult transition for the COGs, who’ve spent years telling us that an academy is pointless only for the club to announce the opposite. Worrying.
Academy is looking for a new Head of Recruitment - https://www.watfordfc.com/news/careers-academy-head-of-recruitment-1
Watched the u23s in a friendly against Newport Pagnell tonight. Think it was a mix of u23/u18. Finished 1-1, fair result. Men against boys at times where the Newport players bullied the young Watford side, and Watford struggled to make their quality show on a bobbly pitch. Dan Phillips put in a very strange performance, some lovely feet and often looked head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch (as he should, he's played at the highest level by far), but then for 10 minute periods he'd look ridiculously clumsy. Must have made 7/8 fouls and would've been sent off eventually if it wasn't a friendly. Stand out was second half sub Jack Grieves (u18, great-great grandson of Skilly Williams), looked very bright with a great first touch, good movement. Young George Abbott looked shaky, poor on the ball and not great in the air. Mostly dominated by the physical Newport striker. Only 17, of course. Adian Manning also looked pretty decent considering he's also part of the u18 squad. Looked a lot more comfortable on the ball than Phillips. George Langston was captain for first half and looked fairly assured, not the quickest but pretty solid in the air. Sorry the above wasn't up to the standard of the artist formerly known as Recluse
Good to hear Grieves impressed, sounds like he earned his place on the bench vs Everton. If he is a good prospect then it's no surprise he's a fan of the club - it's pretty much the only thing which would have prevented him getting nicked already.
He is indeed. I think it would still be possible for some of them to be on the bench on Sunday btw - they'd be more than capable of a few minutes' cameo a couple of days after a youth match, I'm pretty sure other clubs have done that with youth players.
Looks like George Langston is leaving. Surprised by that, U23 captain and someone I thought they rated highly. Signed a pro deal in 2019 that expires this summer, would be interesting to know if we tried to extend it but he felt he'd get better opportunities elsewhere.
Suffered badly with a couple of long-term injuries in the last three (four?) seasons which have really impacted his mobility. A good defender at u23 level but even this season it's been obvious anyone with a modicum of pace caused him trouble. Very much a leader with a professional attitude on and, by the sound of it, off the pitch but sadly, his pace & agility have lessened quite alarmingly since I first saw him as a 16yr old playing at right back.
That's a shame. I think you're right, I've only watched him a couple of times and although he's a great size for a centre back he wasn't that agile.
https://www.watfordfc.com/news/academy-new-contracts-offered-departures-confirmed Lo-Everton, Myles Roberts, Shaq Forde, Alfie Marriott, Ryan Andrews + Adrian Manning all offered new deals. Derek Agyakwa, Dante Baptiste, Jack Broome, Jack Burchell, Ryan Cassidy, Jimiel Chikukwa, Kamil Conteh, Kane Crichlow, Jordan Harrison, Dominic Hutchinson, Andi Janjeva, George Langston, Kyrell Lisbie, Kyreece Lisbie, Josh O’Brien, Adam Parkes, Dan Phillips, Maurizio Pochettino, Henry Wise, Will Hall, Freddie Moriarty, Enoch Muwonge and Ben Smith have all been released.
