daldridge7

Interesting to see Princewill is named on the official team sheet today for the U18s. Surely if he was still a trialist, even on something like that, he would be listed as Trialist A?

From the sounds of it he let Ralph down a bit last year with his performance last year in the league cup. I’m also not convinced that Ralph loves the youngsters pushing for loan deals, I think he would rather have the same on the playbook and push for a first team role but maybe that’s just me. As we’ve seen before with Slattery, and to a lesser extent Tyreke Johnson, as a youngsters it’s hard to come back when you’ve let Ralph down even just once. I hope Small proves us wrong because he came very highly rated. I think when he moved Everton was asking for £5mil for a 16 year old.

Do we think his U18 England form this week will be a trigger for Ballard’s inclusion in the prem match day squad like Tella’s 4 goals against Leicester or Dibling’s hat-trick vs Newcastle. Although I think he has a chance especially if someone gets a knock, I think all the examples I gave were standout performances for the B team which I’m sure Ralph has had a closer eye on than the England age groups and in his preferred system. Also, Ballard was playing with some class players with England and is probably getting a better quality of chance. Castledine who he played upfront with when he got two is meant to be the next big thing at Chelsea, Bellingham has looked class in the Birmingham setup and Ndala was just noted in the Guardian as being the breakout star from the City Academy. If he continues to perform in the B team, he might get another chance vs Sheff Wed in the league cup. it was good to see the boys in the U17 England team as well. Saw one of JJMs goals and he looked on good form. Hopefully Dibling can get up to speed quick too. All of this plus Kami must be back soon

Didn’t we sign a keeper on loan from city already for the U18 this season? Will happily be proved wrong but arguably GK is the one position we haven’t really ever produced a quality player through the academy. I always thought Bycroft looked like he had a bit about him but he’s been on loan in non-league for two years and has disappeared out the picture a bit. Wright has looked decent as well. Good luck to Jak hopefully he becomes a force in the youth team this year.

We were crap against Villa but we get a win against Everton and we are mid table which if the season ended there, I’d be happy with considering all the changes to the team and the experience lost. My only concern is his insistence on playing hard working 10s over creative ones. Hopefully Edozie can come in to his own because he doesn’t seem to fancy Stuey right now who is arguable the most likely of our 10s to put a good pass in or find the back of the net. Diallo is also too inconsistent and doesn’t play well with JWP. Hopefully we can get Lavia back ASAP but again that’s not really a Hassenhuttl issue, that’s just bad luck with injury and AMN is getting up to speed with the system.

Anyone know the trialist upfront was yesterday?

Still no word about Meghoma?

The Leeds team tonight was a complete joke for that league. At least it’s some exposure to some high level opposition and good to see Ballard with another goal and Morgan with more assists. Interesting that Dibling isn’t straight in to the B team, I assume we will see him tomorrow in the U18s game

What is exciting though is with the return of Dibling, in our U18 team we could have an attacking line-up of Ballard, Morgan, Doyle (when back fit), Amo-Ameyaw, and Dibling + Edwards, Payne (I know he’s an RB but he’s excellent going forward) and Pearce - I think these 3 are too old for the U18s but still exciting. We will see how the league goes but from the looks of It we will deff be getting our better youngsters down from the B team for the U18 cup matches but I would think they would be mainly pushing for the B team this year rather than U18 league - to get them used to a higher level

Does anyone know when we are confirming the other lad from Tottenham? Is it a case of having to wait for him to hit a certain age? Also, do we know if Dibling is coming straight back in to the fold or if he has to wait

Think you maybe thinking of Luke Pearce. Who is arguably as good at finishing as Ballard but probably offers marginally less all round

Surprised that Simeu and Vokins still haven’t gone out on loan yet. Maybe if they don’t find anything they will end up at Goztepe. Also looks like the loan Turner was meant to be going on to Leyton Orient must have fallen through if he’s still playing for us and he was with them for a trial period.

Surely we can’t get rid of Adams, he’s the best of our strikers at the club at the moment. People are talking about upgrading the strike force but surely your best striker is the last one that needs to be upgraded. Also, he’s definitely our hardest working attacker and he has good link up play but last season his minutes per goal (268) is only 8 more minutes than Broja (260) who everyone said had an amazing season. I think in general we need to to improve upfront, I just can’t see getting rid of Adams right now is a good move unless you bring in two more of a superior level. Not meaning with a higher potential but who are currently performing higher than Adams

We had 4 strikers last year, if another came in that would make 4 so we wouldn’t need to loan anybody out. Unless I’m missing something?

Isn’t what happen with these kind of deals are they are bought in a scholarship but they have already agreed professional terms. They just can’t sign/confirm until the turn 17

He has got a bit more muscle on him compared to players like Doyle and Ballard but he is slightly older and also, quite often when players are out injured for a long time and can only do gym work they come back with a bit more bulk. Exceptions I can think of the top of my head Smallbone and Hesketh but generally.

Would love it but, from the sounds of it, he thinks he's off to Barcelona.

He was out for a long time with an injury but made a good run in the U18s and I think got some games for the B team too. Decent close control and scored a couple of goals last season. I think he would probably be playing either as an 8 in CM or as one of the 10s

Matt Holland and Brian Howard

https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-newcastle-and-chelsea-in-race-to-sign-southampton-sensation-tyler-dibling/

Obviously his role is focused on senior recruitment but I wonder if he will be sharing any knowledge with the Academy on potential recruits coming from that kind of role at City.

Sometimes the one above the Northam just doesn't come on at all so you can't even see the scoreboard or the clock

Don’t think there’s a love in, we were just told we were getting them last season. If I remember right, the roof can’t take the weight so unless we are having the roof renovated, I doubt we will be getting them anytime soon. So we can add roof issues and screens to the list of updates the stadium needs. Personally I would just be happy with a lick of paint and a wash down.

Doesn't Pearce want to go out on loan this season so with Olaigbe, Nlundulu, (both loan), Mitchell and Smith (both released) gone that only really leaves Ballard as a Striker for the B team who was in the mix last year. I'm sure JJ Morgan and a few others will get minutes too but we will need cover for sure.

I see your point but he doesn’t come till the end of summer, maybe he will bring with him some fresh blood too. What I meant was this is happening right now and it’s frustrating to watch.