The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Royals and Racers]

3-2 Melvin- Lambert hat trick 111 mins
F-T 3-2 great win for the U18’s - into the semi’s
Joined by Man City, Chelsea and Stoke

[SCIAG]

I’ve never seen Abbey play but he MUST become a first team player.

[Royals and Racers]

After a short break the U23`s resume their programme on Thursday evening January 30th away at Colchester`s Jobserve community stadium KO 7pm in a Premier league 2 cup group match- Having played their 3 home matches before Christmas we now play the 3 away fixtures over the next few weeks. With the top 2 from each of the 8 groups going into the last 16 , a win will be enough to secure qualification.
Group A standings
1 Reading P 3 W 2 D 1 pts 7
2 Charlton P 4 W 2 L 2 pts 6
3 Colchester P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1 pts 4
4 Swansea P 4 W 1 L 3 pts 3

[Lower West]

Decent draw for the U18’s today 1-1 at 2nd in the table West Ham . Abby scored the goal

Had an interesting chat with a friend who is close to an U18 manager of a Prem team and he said that they really are not particularly bothered about results of the games they play - instead everything - the games, training, etc. - is geared towards developing the 1 or 2 individuals who they think can make it at the highest level and can move into the 1st team. The rest of players are just there either to be sold to other clubs or to support the development of the VERY talented ones. Quite a sobering thought if your kid is in an U18 team and you think he's destined for stardom.

Never ever been any different. Often not the most talented that make the grade. Saw Darren Caskey make his debut for Spurs. All the talent but not the application. Slipped down the football pyramid and never recovered.

[Royals and Racers]

Some people(1 person ? me only ) might be interested in how the PL 2 International cup(U 23 comp) is going this season- The Royals missed out this season in getting a place.
Just one qualifying round match to go tomorrow Wolves v Liverpool.
6 group winners plus best 2 2nd place go through to the `QF`s
Qualified are Arsenal,Wolfsburg ,Benfica ,Swansea and Derby- the last 3 teams will be known after tomorrow night.

[Nameless]

Some people(1 person ? me only ) might be interested in how the PL 2 International cup(U 23 comp) is going this season- The Royals missed out this season in getting a place.
Just one qualifying round match to go tomorrow Wolves v Liverpool.
6 group winners plus best 2 2nd place go through to the `QF`s
Qualified are Arsenal,Wolfsburg ,Benfica ,Swansea and Derby- the last 3 teams will be known after tomorrow night.

Thanks, was disappointed we weren’t involved this year, been great watching us play some really top sides and generally putting in creditable performances.
Would have been nice to have played a few away games, I’d have travelled to Munich....

[NewCorkSeth]

I’ve never seen Abbey play but he MUST become a first team player.

Position?

[The Royal Forester]

I’ve never seen Abbey play but he MUST become a first team player.

Position?

Right back - just behind that lion in the park.

[Royals and Racers]

I’ve never seen Abbey play but he MUST become a first team player.

Position?

Right back - just behind that lion in the park.

I`m hoping he makes the national squad.

[The Royal Forester]

Position?

Right back - just behind that lion in the park.

I`m hoping he makes the national squad.

Who, The lion or Reading's Abbey?

[Royals and Racers]

Some people(1 person ? me only ) might be interested in how the PL 2 International cup(U 23 comp) is going this season- The Royals missed out this season in getting a place.
Just one qualifying round match to go tomorrow Wolves v Liverpool.
6 group winners plus best 2 2nd place go through to the `QF`s
Qualified are Arsenal,Wolfsburg ,Benfica ,Swansea and Derby- the last 3 teams will be known after tomorrow night.

Thanks, was disappointed we weren’t involved this year, been great watching us play some really top sides and generally putting in creditable performances.
Would have been nice to have played a few away games, I’d have travelled to Munich....

Not sure we will get in next season either, as with only 12 UK teams involved they ask all the teams in PL 2 1st div and then work there way down div 2. Keep an eye on the draw for the QF`s when it`s made as if 2 foreign teams have to play each other Aldershot has been used as a venue before now.

[Royals and Racers]

Right back - just behind that lion in the park.

I`m hoping he makes the national squad.

Who, The lion or Reading's Abbey?

Abbey

[muirinho]

U18s have drawn Man City at home in the PL Youth Cup Semi-final

https://twitter.com/RFCAcademy/status/1 ... 8598012934

[Hendo]

New 18 month contract for Conor Lawless.

Not seen him personally, someone more informed able to shed some light on his ability/potential ability?

[Royals and Racers]

U18s have drawn Man City at home in the PL Youth Cup Semi-final

https://twitter.com/RFCAcademy/status/1 ... 8598012934

At least it’s at home- Man City top of Northern Div.

[Royals and Racers]

New 18 month contract for Conor Lawless.

Not seen him personally, someone more informed able to shed some light on his ability/potential ability?

He’s 18 and talented. Plays in midfield, and unfortunately has suffered several injuries over the last couple of years( i think it was him that had a kneecap injury last season)
Very left footed as a lot of the Reading youngsters.

[Royals and Racers]

U18s have drawn Man City at home in the PL Youth Cup Semi-final

https://twitter.com/RFCAcademy/status/1 ... 8598012934

Stoke v Chelsea is the other- matches mid February

[SCIAG]

New 18 month contract for Conor Lawless.

Not seen him personally, someone more informed able to shed some light on his ability/potential ability?

They call him Flawless Lawless for a reason. Really silky player, a complete delight to watch. Came into the U18s and U23s at the same time as Olise and looked the better of the two. As has been mentioned though he had an injury or two and during that time Olise has made his debut and is now starting to establish himself.

If we get big offers for Swift and Ejaria this summer then we could do worse than looking at Lawless, along with Holsgrove.

There are some videos of him on YouTube. They’re from when he was very young so don’t take too much from them but they give an idea of what he’s like stylistically.

[morganb]

If a striker doesn't come in to replace Joao, is there anyone in the U23s who could step up and provide an alternative to Puscas and Baldock? For example, what is Ben House like - it was hard to get any impression of him after his 9 minute debut at the weekend? Anyone else - Liddle, Nevers, etc?

[Snowflake Royal]

If a striker doesn't come in to replace Joao, is there anyone in the U23s who could step up and provide an alternative to Puscas and Baldock? For example, what is Ben House like - it was hard to get any impression of him after his 9 minute debut at the weekend? Anyone else - Liddle, Nevers, etc?

House looked like a total unit and I think he tends to lead the line in the Academy. Think way too much to ask to do it in the first team though.

Meite a far better bet.