Which youngsters will realistically step up next year?

C

Cookiejar

Vital Squad Member
We seem to have a lot coming through at the moment. I've seen a few of them but who do we think can break through into the 18 regularly next season from the list below. Also any ideas on who we think SL will keep?

Woods
Tucker
Huckle
L'Habli

Chapman
Oldaker
M'Bo
Simpson
O'mara
List (still a youngster in my eyes)
Stevenson

Sorry if I've forgotten anyone!
 
I am not sure many if any will be first team regulars. If the likes of Oldaker had been loaned at a higher level and had done well then may be he would have been a potential one.

I think we need to get the likes of Oldaker, Mbo and anyone else who is even close to the first team out on 3 month loan in August, to the highest level we can. If they don't stand out at National league then they aren't ready for league one.

If you are counting List then he could be, if he gets another contract. Lovell talks as if he will but I'm not sure that he has done enough. I guess much will depend on the much discussed budget.
 
Cookiejar said:
We seem to have a lot coming through at the moment. I've seen a few of them but who do we think can break through into the 18 regularly next season from the list below. Also any ideas on who we think SL will keep?

Woods
Tucker
Huckle
L'Habli

Chapman
Oldaker
M'Bo
Simpson
O'mara
List (still a youngster in my eyes)
Stevenson

Sorry if I've forgotten anyone!
Click to expand...
Sadly only one or two at best if history is anything to go by.
 
From what I've seen Chapman and Stevenson have the ability but as you say the physical demands play a bit part now as well.

Tucker is highly rated but not seen enough to comment on him!
 
I'd say that normally over 2 years, we might get say 5 or 6 being given a professional contract but only one (or sometimes 2) becoming a regular at League 1 or above.

In this 2 years we've had 10 young pro's so maybe the club will be a bit disappointed if they don't get 2 or more decent pro's out of that.
 
It's fun guessing but as others have said the odds are long. I think List will get another contract and will move forward next season. Creative players are the hardest to judge because they catch the eye against inferior and/or younger opposition but often struggle when they move up both with the physical demands and with the additional duties.

I thought Finn O'Mara looked capable when called upon and I think he stands a chance.
 
Personally I would like to see the senior squad slimmer maybe 16 /18 players signing only real quality .Then a team of young players filling the gaps when needed .The current under 18s probably will need to be loaned out .But any player who is already a professional needs to be good enough to push for a place on the bench .The reinstatement of reserve football is a must at least for the next two or three years .As for names. Oldaker is a likely one .Chapman i saw a short while ago in match action he was unconvincing to be honest .O'Mara has had good reports from his loan and looked good when called on .
M'bo doesn't seem to have hit the goal trail so may not be ready if indeed he stays .With the under 18s doing so well Lovell will need to be severe and may cut some goodish prospects .Stevenson is a big lad possibly who plays the sort of role that could be needed attacking midfielder so I can see him getting a chance .Along with Simpson who has that real pace that we do need .We are unlikely to be signing many squad players so Simpson could well get a one possibly early chance if we only with up List and possibly one other wide player .Hadler is likely to be the sub keeper of course regardless of who is our first team stopper probably Holy I would think it he is not sold .
 
My advice to all of these young players is ' grap the opportunity'

Hit the gym, bulk up physically, come back to pre-season as fit as possible, and impress the management team.

A young footballer doesn't get too many first team games to impress.

It's a cut throat game if they don't grab the chance, someone else will.
 
I don't think List is deserving of a new deal. I don't get the glamour for him amongst the fans. Other than his performance away at Watford (last season!) I've never seen him perform for more than about a minute. He never makes an impact from the bench either. He has all the attributes to succeed but never takes his chance. The penny might drop once he's been let go.

Oldaker is the biggest talent of the lot, but needs to stop taking risks in areas which are critical on the pitch. That's why he plays so little. His best chance is take on the no.10 role but does he have the pace/energy to fulfil it?
 
Oldaker is clearly the most fancied of the emerging talent, but as SL said to him earlier in the season, talent alone won't get you too far in the modern game.
Hard work, physicality, tenacity sprinkled with a touch of skill.

And, not making silly mistakes in critical areas.
He has a good chance of getting game time this season if he puts his mind to it.
19/20 is about the age that you should be staking a place if you have enough about you.
 
beanhead said:
I don't think List is deserving of a new deal. I don't get the glamour for him amongst the fans. Other than his performance away at Watford (last season!) I've never seen him perform for more than about a minute. He never makes an impact from the bench either. He has all the attributes to succeed but never takes his chance. The penny might drop once he's been let go.
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Totally agree.
 
Interesting to see if List starts tomorrow after his Rovers goal. A chance to persuade Lovell one way or the other (if his mind isn't made up). I am in the not sure he deserves another contract camp but he may be the cheaper option if the budget is tight.
 
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