Youth players to make an impact

[winchester_royal]

It seems widely accepted among RFC fans that the arrival of Rodgers will signal an influx of academy players into the first team squad. However my question is who are the ones which are really going to stand out? Henry, Karacan and Pearce were all integrated last season and seem certain to feature heavily again this year, particularly Henry who we know Rodgers rates highly.

But, out of the rest of them, e.g. Siggers, R-K, Church etc. who else is going to really make an impact?

Personally I think we may well see one of the 17 year olds get a go. Baggie showed huge amounts of promise at the back end of last season, and Jack Mills, though injured for the whole of last season, is highly thought of at the club.

Who do you lot believe will make an impact?

[gazzer, loyal royal]

It seems widely accepted among RFC fans that the arrival of Rodgers will signal an influx of academy players into the first team squad. However my question is who are the ones which are really going to stand out? Henry, Karacan and Pearce were all integrated last season and seem certain to feature heavily again this year, particularly Henry who we know Rodgers rates highly.

But, out of the rest of them, e.g. Siggers, R-K, Church etc. who else is going to really make an impact?

Personally I think we may well see one of the 17 year olds get a go. Baggie showed huge amounts of promise at the back end of last season, and Jack Mills, though injured for the whole of last season, is highly thought of at the club.

Who do you lot believe will make an impact?

think we'll see a lot of Henry, it was Rodgers who stopped him from going to Chelsea, and then tried to sign him while he was there.

Karacan may work well in a 5 man midfield, i think our midfield is light if it is just him and Harper say. Still think Pearce needs another year to develop and we'll have the perfect centre back.

Swindon fans spoke highly of R-K, was there not a quote saying the last player of such quality they had down there was james milner?

Think Henry and Karacan will be the ones to step up this year

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

With Doobs gone and Bikey looking likely to follow it could be a massive season for Pearce. He needs to become one of those defenders who makes up for a lack of pace with great posistional play, I'm sure he learns a lot from Ivar.

I really hope Karacan makes it, love the way he plays. He reminds me of a raw Sidwell, needs to develop that quality.

Henry is the most interesting, we all hope playing 451 would bring the best out of Marek, I also think Henry could play off a striker. Shown he can score goals, great passer, not the quickest. Would be interesting to see how he does there.

Sure we'll see plenty of Church, Kelly and Sigurdson....

[Terminal Boardom]

With Doobs gone and Bikey looking likely to follow it could be a massive season for Pearce. He needs to become one of those defenders who makes up for a lack of pace with great posistional play, I'm sure he learns a lot from Ivar.

I really hope Karacan makes it, love the way he plays. He reminds me of a raw Sidwell, needs to develop that quality.

Henry is the most interesting, we all hope playing 451 would bring the best out of Marek, I also think Henry could play off a striker. Shown he can score goals, great passer, not the quickest. Would be interesting to see how he does there.

Sure we'll see plenty of Church, Kelly and Sigurdson....

IIRC, Bobby Moore was never the fastest on the pitch.

What worries me most about the kids is the amount of abuse they will get if we start to struggle.

[Forbury Lion]

With Doobs gone and Bikey looking likely to follow it could be a massive season for Pearce. He needs to become one of those defenders who makes up for a lack of pace with great posistional play, I'm sure he learns a lot from Ivar.

I really hope Karacan makes it, love the way he plays. He reminds me of a raw Sidwell, needs to develop that quality.

Henry is the most interesting, we all hope playing 451 would bring the best out of Marek, I also think Henry could play off a striker. Shown he can score goals, great passer, not the quickest. Would be interesting to see how he does there.

Sure we'll see plenty of Church, Kelly and Sigurdson....

IIRC, Bobby Moore was never the fastest on the pitch.

What worries me most about the kids is the amount of abuse they will get if we start to struggle.

That's why they've kept Gunnarsson on, give us someone to moan about who can handle it.

[SteveRoyal]

I think we'll see more of Pearce, Karacan and Henry, Church will likely make a few cameo appearances.

[rg6royal]

Pearce and Karacan

[Royal Rother]

Church
Henry
Kelly
Hamer
Davies
Sigurdsson
Robson Kanu
Karacan
Pearce

All the above will feature.

[Readingfanman]

Church
Henry
Kelly
Hamer
Davies
Sigurdsson
Robson Kanu
Karacan
Pearce

All the above will feature.

Agreed. This plus Baggie and possibly another who is less "hyped" so far to feature.

[hutch]

Without a doubt we`ll see Karacan, Pearce and Henry this season, I expect to see a fair bit of Simon Church and I`m really looking forward to seeing Robson-Kanu on the left. He seems to have flourished in his loan spells and it would be good to see him given a chance off the bench tearing down the left against tiring defenders. Also might see a bit of Kelly as well this season.

[rg6royal]

Church
Henry
Kelly
Hamer
Davies
Sigurdsson
Robson Kanu
Karacan
Pearce

All the above will feature.

Agreed. This plus Baggie and possibly another who is less "hyped" so far to feature.

Yeah, maybe against Burton in the cup perhaps?

[andrew1957]

Watched Baggie in the reserves and I thought he looked like a young version of Leroy Lita - but without the throwing himself around that Lita did - so overall potentially better. Think he could be a star of the future as he also seems to give 100%.

A lot of the youngsters could do well this season.

[Handsome Man]

I've got five names in my mind:
Karacan
Pearce
Kelly
Church
Henry
If at least three of these make regular first team starts next year it will be a healthy sign that the club is still going forward and I won't mind if we don't look like promotion contenders. If this doesn't happen and too many places are filled by the likes of Gunnarson, I will be a bit depressed.

[Bath Hoops]

It would be great to see a few of them come along this season, as someone mentioned the problems are going to start if things go wrong when playing them. The Reading crowd isn't known as being a patient one and you can see them getting some stick, I saw it in a few games last season when Henry was playing and I think it affected him at the time.

If anyone is likely to play them its going to be Brendan, he worked with a few of the kids and I'm sure he will have ideas on how to get the best out of them. Lets face it he's going to have too as well, we're not likely to set the world alight with our transfers dealings and I'm sure he got the managers ticket based on promising to get the best out of the youth scheme.

I think you'll see Hamer on the bench, Karacan will probably start on the bench, if Hunt goes then expect Henry to line up as a starter as will Pearce with Church on the bench too.

[georgerob]

Michael Antonio

[bagman]

Look out for Gus McDonald. Only 16 but an outstanding centre half.

[SteveRoyal]

Michael Antonio

That's a good call - although I expect he'll go out on loan to another club this season - maybe next season?

[Tony Le Mesmer]

I dont really know too much about the youngsters that haven't played for Reading 1st team yet, but my take on those that i have seen is:

Church - Yes
Karacan - Yes
Henry - Yes+
Pearce - Not convinced. A slow 'get rid' defender. will play a part but overated.
Kelly - Nowhere near good enough.

Is Scott Davies back?

Hamar, from what ive heard of him, could be our No.1 keper before the season is up.

[Sun Tzu]

Pearce - Not convinced. A slow 'get rid' defender. will play a part but overated.
.

I suspect you will change your mind on him !
Certainly not a 'get rid' defender. Very capable on the ball and more than able to play / bring the ball out of defence.
Agree that pace is not his strong point but then plenty of central defenders aren't 10 second 100m men. Not a major impediment.
Of all our youngsters he is the one with the attitude / character that will see him succeed.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Pearce's distribution is very poor. Skyward or into touch a vast majority of the time.