Development/Youth Squads 2024/2025 Thread - U18/U21

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, smudger63 said:

The funny thing is, although I didn't want Cooper as manager, the one thing I thought he would have as a plus, is that he would give one or two of our talented youngsters some pitch time in the first team, and would have at least one had one on the bench each game, but he seems to have absolutely no interest in our younger players. If someone can tell me how Soumare, who has zero interest in being here, can get on the bench in front of Alves, who will be wanting to play and make his mark, then i would be very interested on the reasoning. Alves is now basically spending his time training, and hoping to get a spot on the bench for a league cup game, when if Cooper had no interest in giving him a chance, he should have been loaned out, and playing league games somewhere.  I would be fuming if I was Alves. What a waste of a talent, at least until January. 

I think this is why I'm so angered. I feel let down. The only logical reason to give the job to Cooper was the idea that he's got a great track record at academy player development. However, it appears to be one monumental myth. He's quite possibly the worst Leicester manager in that regard for as long as I can remember, despite our academy being at its most prestigious.

 

There's not one single redeeming quality that Cooper possesses right now for this job. If there is, can somebody please prove it to me.

[Chelmofox]

2 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I think this is why I'm so angered. I feel let down. The only logical reason to give the job to Cooper was the idea that he's got a great track record at academy player development. However, it appears to be one monumental myth. He's quite possibly the worst Leicester manager in that regard for as long as I can remember, despite our academy being at its most prestigious.

 

There's not one single redeeming quality that Cooper possesses right now for this job. If there is, can somebody please prove it to me.

Beyond playing Johnson at Forest, I'm not sure that Cooper had any great credentials to call upon regarding this and it was something I remember raising at the time of his appointment. Granted, he managed at academy level but that is still not proof of him excelling at migrating academy players into the first team. Currently, we can see it's a myth for sure. Alves must be wondering wtf is going on.

[Ric Flair]

10 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

Beyond playing Johnson at Forest, I'm not sure that Cooper had any great credentials to call upon regarding this and it was something I remember raising at the time of his appointment. Granted, he managed at academy level but that is still not proof of him excelling at migrating academy players into the first team. Currently, we can see it's a myth for sure. Alves must be wondering wtf is going on.

Yes you're right, I was far too glossy eyed not to twig on that. He did a decent job of sorts with Swansea's players coming through but think most of them had already been blooded previously. 

 

If Alves doesn't play vs Walsall then it's a disgrace.

[Chelmofox]

24 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Yes you're right, I was far too glossy eyed not to twig on that. He did a decent job of sorts with Swansea's players coming through but think most of them had already been blooded previously. 

 

If Alves doesn't play vs Walsall then it's a disgrace.

Alves needs to start. Not come on in the 75th minute.

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-absolutely-superb-prospect-9563181

 

Leicester City have 'absolutely superb' prospect who won't give opponents a moment's peace
Brandon Cover arrived on loan at Port Vale with just one senior appearance to his name, but he's been thrown straight in under Darren Moore and has quickly looked at home

ByJordan BlackwellMichael Baggaley
13:33, 18 SEP 2024

Brandon Cover in action for Port Vale (Image: Mark Kerton/REX/Shutterstock)

Leicester City prospect Brandon Cover was hailed as “absolutely superb” as he continues to make a telling impact on loan at Port Vale.

The 20-year-old defensive midfielder/right-back has started all three League Two matches for Port Vale since heading to Staffordshire on deadline day. Despite his inexperience, his displays have earned rave reviews.

Cover made his City debut in the FA Cup last season but that was the only senior appearance he had to his name before joining Vale. But thanks to his aggression and physicality, he has quickly settled in, and had his best game yet as Vale beat Chesterfield 1-0 at the weekend.

 

 

 

Port Vale correspondent Mike Baggaley picks up the story: It was as much about what didn’t happen as what did. Vale were up against a side expected to be one of the best in the division and on Chesterfield’s left flank was James Berry, the winger who had just been nominated for League Two player of the month.

Having to deal with him was Brandon Cover, the 20-year-old on-loan Leicester defender making only the third league appearance of his career. Advantage Chesterfield? Mayhem on Vale’s right? Not at all as it turned out because Cover shut down every threat on that flank, both while Berry was on the pitch and then after the winger was subbed with half an hour to go.

Cover was one of the least-heralded of Vale’s summer signings, the youngster arriving on deadline day as a player who could play as a defensive midfielder or full-back so perhaps would be useful to have in the squad in case of injuries. Instead he went straight into the side and hasn’t looked back. Let’s not tempt fate just three games into his Vale career but no wonder Darren Moore was full of praise when I asked him about the youngster after Saturday’s game.

He said: “I think we have got a really good player, a quality player. I thought the way he looked after him (Berry) was absolutely superb, he didn’t give him a minute’s peace. That’s Brandon, he has that capability. But also on the ball he brings that calmness and assurance.

“But the biggest thing for me, which I can share with everyone, is he is such a humble individual. That adds to the character and the behaviour we want at the club. He can feel really pleased with his performance and we are really pleased to have him here.”

[bobtickle]

Where does alves play exactly? Is he  specifically a 10 or does he play left or right as well? 

[st albans fox]

11 minutes ago, bobtickle said:

Where does alves play exactly? Is he  specifically a 10 or does he play left or right as well? 

He played as a left winger in his rodgers cameo pre injury

he played as an attacking midfielder in his Cooper cameo last month 

 

I guess we’ll see him again next week at Walsall 

[CosbehFox]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

I think this is why I'm so angered. I feel let down. The only logical reason to give the job to Cooper was the idea that he's got a great track record at academy player development. However, it appears to be one monumental myth. He's quite possibly the worst Leicester manager in that regard for as long as I can remember, despite our academy being at its most prestigious.

 

There's not one single redeeming quality that Cooper possesses right now for this job. If there is, can somebody please prove it to me.

In cold harshness of it, we think he's a developer of young players. He isn't. He just happened to coach young players for England. 

 

Swansea 19-20: His top outfield appearance makers were Grimes, Ayew, Roberts, Bidwell & Fulton. 

20-21: Jamal Lowe, Roberts, Grimes, Ayew, Fulton. 

 

At time, a lot in the 24-28 bracket. 

 

There's examples of those two seasons where he's really patchy in playing young players - someone like Gyokeres didn't fire at all for him. Interestingly examples where young players were recalled on loan. 

Edited Wednesday at 14:26 by CosbehFox

[coolhandfox]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

I think this is why I'm so angered. I feel let down. The only logical reason to give the job to Cooper was the idea that he's got a great track record at academy player development. However, it appears to be one monumental myth. He's quite possibly the worst Leicester manager in that regard for as long as I can remember, despite our academy being at its most prestigious.

 

There's not one single redeeming quality that Cooper possesses right now for this job. If there is, can somebody please prove it to me.

 

I don't think we gave him the job because of youth; you don't hire a manager based on that philosophy and then recruit players in the 30+ age bracket. 

 

The looming point deduction restricted us to those desperate for an opportunity to rebuild a career or get a chance at the PL level.

 

We probably also wanted someone who has survived in the PL before and is cheap.

 

Combine those elements, and you have a small list. 

 

So available, cheap, PL experience and wanted the job. 

 

 

[Ric Flair]

16 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

 

I don't think we gave him the job because of youth; you don't hire a manager based on that philosophy and then recruit players in the 30+ age bracket. 

 

The looming point deduction restricted us to those desperate for an opportunity to rebuild a career or get a chance at the PL level.

 

We probably also wanted someone who has survived in the PL before and is cheap.

 

Combine those elements, and you have a small list. 

 

So available, cheap, PL experience and wanted the job. 

 

 

What I meant was, that was the only logical reason I could see that we'd given him the job, not that they had done on that basis. Either way it's not even true 😂

[lcfc sheff]

Alves won't start. 

[moore_94]

17 hours ago, lcfc sheff said:

Alves won't start. 

20 minutes off the bench if he is lucky

[sm1]

15 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

20 minutes off the bench if he is lucky

That's if we're winning by 2-3 goals, otherwise it will be 5mins at most. Also what's happened to Golding, is he still here?

[moore_94]

We aren’t involved, 16 Premier League 2 teams are though

 

I wonder if we got invited and turned it down?

 

 

[Lambert09]

On 18/09/2024 at 04:25, Chelmofox said:

Beyond playing Johnson at Forest, I'm not sure that Cooper had any great credentials to call upon regarding this and it was something I remember raising at the time of his appointment. Granted, he managed at academy level but that is still not proof of him excelling at migrating academy players into the first team. Currently, we can see it's a myth for sure. Alves must be wondering wtf is going on.

yep, it’s a misconception that a former youth coach will give youth a chance. He was just using what he could when in that job. 
 

He’s the worst kind of manager for a club like us. Only wants proven experience, just wants to snatch and grab results and just personifies little old leicester. we don’t want to be little old leicester, we want ambition, effort and character that’s all we ask for.  Currently we are getting effort… but that ware’s thin when you keep loosing and will drop off. 

Edited Thursday at 15:04 by Lambert09

[The Doctor]

On 17/09/2024 at 23:46, moore_94 said:

Nothing to do with our youth team but sounds like another Wolves youth player has caused a really serious leg injury to a Sheff Utd youth player tonight with a really bad tackle

shut that club down for endangering players imo, senior team relegated to the regional leagues with an auto 20th place finish in their current league seems fair.

[Jaspa]

On 17/09/2024 at 23:46, moore_94 said:

Nothing to do with our youth team but sounds like another Wolves youth player has caused a really serious leg injury to a Sheff Utd youth player tonight with a really bad tackle

 

It's Sai Sachdev; Leicester born, released by us at 13, played at Aylestone Park til 16 then joined Sheffynited.

 

Their forum saying it was Scott Carson's lad who's injured him.

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/4122276/barradell-a-positive-start-to-the-season?fbclid=IwY2xjawFaR41leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUGbKJu6xcg4sw0he84jbRf9uebQ-nCWu2zP7DZxwmCzV57xjKyc9g5tMg_aem_YBT4bE1dju_jGuT-mHv1eA&lang=en

 

Barradell: A Positive Start To The Season
LCFC MEN U18S

The Leicester City Under-18s continued their unbeaten run in the league with a 1-1 draw over West Ham United, which Adam Barradell believes was a well-earned point.

- The young Foxes are currently third and unbeaten in the U18 Premier League South Division

 

- Adam Barradell reflects on the game and the start to the season

Four games in for the Under-18s, and they are currently sat third with eight points in the U18 Premier League South Division and yet to see defeat in the competition.

Their most recent game saw them draw 1-1 with West Ham, but after being reduced to 10 men while behind, the coach believes it was a decent point that the squad worked hard for.

“I think we had plenty of chances to win the game,” Barradell admitted. “But looking at how it went in the later stages, where we were 1-0 down and reduced to 10 men, it was probably a good point.

“It’s important to get back into the game and, with a player less, it was about digging in, but we do think we had enough opportunities on goal to take all three points.

“West Ham are a good side and historically done well over the last few years, so it’s still a positive point to build on.”

Kirsten Otchere
In action against the Hammers.

Just two points off leaders Aston Villa, it’s been a promising start this season for Barradell, who looks back to an industrious pre-season, that he believes allowed the squad to prepare themselves to head into the competitive campaign.

The coach continued: “It’s been a positive start after a good pre-season, with difficult tests aboard, and that set us up nicely. The boys have been excellent and had some good performances over the four games.

“We’ve challenged ourselves to be better in both boxes this season; to score more goals but to be more ruthless in defence as well. So that will be a process we work through over the next six months.

“The highlight of the first four games was the performance over Chelsea, but it's a positive start and one we look to carry on with, as the group continue to learn and develop.

“They’re a fantastic group of players, and one that we transitioned a lot of them last year into the Under-18s group. A lot came in and a lot started, so it’s a group I know well with a lot of positive characters.

The ultimate objective is to push players through the pathway.

Adam Barradell
“They want to learn and take on the information and have been a pleasure to work with so far which I’m sure will continue over the course of the season.”

With plenty of Development Squad players heading out on loan before the closure of the summer transfer window, this has freed up space for younger players to make the step up.

Delighted to see the Academy conveyer belt in full swing, the coach understands the need to be competitive on the field but focuses on the main aim of producing talent through the set-up in Seagrave.

“Like I’ve always said, we want to do well in cup competitions and leagues, but the ultimate objective is to push players through the pathway,” Barradell outlined.

“It’s great to see boys go out on loan, and then Under-18s getting the chance to play for the Under-21s which is what we want. We know the landscape might change at times in terms of results, but we want to give those opportunities to young players.

Josh King
Celebrating a late equaliser in Seagrave.

“It’s good to see the groups within the Academy come together and, of course, we want to be competitive so if we can do that, while bringing more younger players through, then we’re doing our job.”

Their fifth league game of the season sees Leicester welcome Brighton & hove Albion to their turf on Saturday morning (11am BST kick-off) and Barradell states it is a game they are looking to win, rather than focusing on their unbeaten run.

“It’s a home game, and one we want to have a good performance in,” the coach explained. “It’s one we’re going out to win, not to not lose. It’s nice to keep going unbeaten but what we’ll be concerning ourselves with is the performance and building on the last couple of weeks.

“Can we continue to be an attacking threat and more ruthless than we were against West Ham, but also good defensively? We’d like to get our first clean sheet on Saturday.”

[ACF]

U18s beaten 4-0 at home to Brighton by the looks of it