Think if you look through the premier league teams there aren't a lot of 20th year old that are playing regular football
Think Cullens stature or lack of it is the reason I think he's on loan
He is a player who excels with the ball at his feet with space, the type of player who develops later unlike players who are athletes at 21
I would've liked him to go to the championship but I'd also like to see him feel what it's like to be a star and have to suffer the expectation the fans now demand of him week in week out
Yeh but then you get to the point where Tonks remains the last academy product getting regular game time. A couple of seasons ago it was that Sam gave Burke a chance for several games and he did more than ok.
I know it might be argued this is a bit below his level, but I do think that playing week in week out, against all different kinds of teams (hoofers, cloggers, park-the-busers, slow-slow-quick-quick-slow-ers etc) in games that matter, is such good experience. Sometimes they'll be under pressure to win (as the favourites), and sometimes expected to lose. Sometimes early goals/need to defend a lead. Sometimes go 2 down, try to fight back etc.
West Ham 3-1 Newcastle in the first development squad game at their new home in Dagenham ;scarf ;clap Toni Martinez bags a brace making it 3 in 2 ;wahoo ;clap
Great to see Martinez bag a couple. I notice he was subbed on 77 minutes; I wonder if he'll make the bench on Thursday ;hmm
Declan Rice has been getting good reviews, and was involved with the first team during pre-season. He could be the next centre half off the production line by the sounds of it.
Martinez, Rice, Samuelsen and Browne all look very good prospects ;clap
Great news in Burke, need to make sure we keep onto our best young players and he's definitely one of the best atm
Interesting though the he expects to go on loan, can't see slaven brining in another CB so maybe Oxford or Nordveit are going to be 4th choice
Can't get over how many promising youth players come through, if at least half of them can make the grade then we'd be laughing
Oxford, Samuelson and Burke are the shining lights of our youth team but the like of Rice, Page, Browne, Cullen are all fantastic prospects and have been joined by Martinez & Fletcher and the ever impressive Quina
Comments
Think Cullens stature or lack of it is the reason I think he's on loan
He is a player who excels with the ball at his feet with space, the type of player who develops later unlike players who are athletes at 21
I would've liked him to go to the championship but I'd also like to see him feel what it's like to be a star and have to suffer the expectation the fans now demand of him week in week out
I've missed the boat on changes to the format, I think...
U23s?
Premier League 2?
To Google! ;run
From this season the Category 1 academies don't have an U21 league, instead it is U23.
Otherwise, it is much the same: two divisions in the league, promotion and relegation between them and play-offs.
Can play an over-age GK + 3 over-age outfield players.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/58764
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Development_League
(Thanks for posting ;ok )
I know it might be argued this is a bit below his level, but I do think that playing week in week out, against all different kinds of teams (hoofers, cloggers, park-the-busers, slow-slow-quick-quick-slow-ers etc) in games that matter, is such good experience. Sometimes they'll be under pressure to win (as the favourites), and sometimes expected to lose. Sometimes early goals/need to defend a lead. Sometimes go 2 down, try to fight back etc.
Can only be good for him. ;scarf
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/August/22-August/Burke-signs-new-contract
I'm hoping he's the next Mark Noble (as in 'one of our own' for the future).
“That first 45 was as good as I’ve seen us play in my two and a bit years here,” he said. ... The first half was a masterclass. (Terry Westley)
;scarf
Declan Rice has been getting good reviews, and was involved with the first team during pre-season. He could be the next centre half off the production line by the sounds of it.
Martinez, Rice, Samuelsen and Browne all look very good prospects ;clap
Interesting though the he expects to go on loan, can't see slaven brining in another CB so maybe Oxford or Nordveit are going to be 4th choice
Can't get over how many promising youth players come through, if at least half of them can make the grade then we'd be laughing
Oxford, Samuelson and Burke are the shining lights of our youth team but the like of Rice, Page, Browne, Cullen are all fantastic prospects and have been joined by Martinez & Fletcher and the ever impressive Quina
The future is bright
Baby faced boy wonder has signed for #4MoreYears.
;scarf
Hendrie and Sam's Son. I will be supporting Blackburn's left flank this season ;ok
We have an option to recall him in January, though.
Plus he was named in the Norway squad again. ;clap
You need to ask? ;whistle
;yercoat
One of the good guys... ;run