The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Simon's Church]

With those 12 players released are we genuinely going to be able to put out both an U23 and U18 side next season? Thats basically all the 'proper' U23s gone isnt it? With Barrett, Nolan and Loader all leaving too and Olise moving to the first team.

If we bump up the U18s to play U23 and even younger players to U18s will we end up like Sunderland with both teams getting smashed every week? Which I'm assuming doesnt help anyone.

[SCIAG]

The older U18s will be too old for the U18s next season so will be the U23s. Supplement them with Southwood, Holmes, Holsgrove and any first teamers who are returning from injury plus a smattering of genuine U18s.

[Simon's Church]

Guess so, sounds like it will be a fairly young and inexperienced squad then.

[Nameless]

We won’t be the only club releasing young players, we can look for good players in relevant positions and bring them in on short term deals. Brentford recruit from exactly this sort of pool of players.

[royalp-we]

@samrourke_:


‘Away from the office on annual leave so can't get too much information - But been told Scott Marshall has been relieved of his duties as Reading's under-23 manager’

[SouthDownsRoyal]

@samrourke_:


‘Away from the office on annual leave so can't get too much information - But been told Scott Marshall has been relieved of his duties as Reading's under-23 manager’

Thanks m8

[Simon's Church]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

[Hendo]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Might be looking at something similar to what's going on at Brentford?

[NewCorkSeth]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Might be looking at something similar to what's going on at Brentford?

surely not.

[Hendo]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Might be looking at something similar to what's going on at Brentford?

surely not.

Who knows? If it saves money and directly benefits the first team by allowing us to keep hold of our best prospects (by offering them a direct route to the first team) then maybe it is something the club should look at.

I really don't know though.

[NewCorkSeth]

Might be looking at something similar to what's going on at Brentford?

surely not.

Who knows? If it saves money and directly benefits the first team by allowing us to keep hold of our best prospects (by offering them a direct route to the first team) then maybe it is something the club should look at.

I really don't know though.

I thought Brentford just completely got rid of their academy? As in no players at all.

[Hendo]

surely not.

Who knows? If it saves money and directly benefits the first team by allowing us to keep hold of our best prospects (by offering them a direct route to the first team) then maybe it is something the club should look at.

I really don't know though.

I thought Brentford just completely got rid of their academy? As in no players at all.

I don't think it is quite as cut and dry as that. They have a B team, or reserves if you will, rather than a full blown academy, but that is still used for youth players and players to be developed.

[Simon's Church]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Might be looking at something similar to what's going on at Brentford?

Hopefully not, almost undestandable for them as they struggle to recruit and keep hold of players being surrounded by Chelsea, Fulham and QPR. Not sure what our excuse would be

[Hendo]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Might be looking at something similar to what's going on at Brentford?

Hopefully not, almost undestandable for them as they struggle to recruit and keep hold of players being surrounded by Chelsea, Fulham and QPR. Not sure what our excuse would be

That we are only just down the road from those clubs who might be more attractive than ours.

[Stranded]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Bit of a stretch conclusion there. Club is having a massive refresh at coaching and playing level. Bowen states it is his job to refresh the culture, big part of that will be new coaching team who buy into whatever that culture is.

[Simon's Church]

Hopefully just trying to freshen things up and not the start of defunding the academy and youth teams.

Last couple have years it seems u23 and u18 results have dropped off a bit, we've lost 2 academy directors and seen youth players celebrating reading defeats. No announcement of new U18 scholars. Something doesn't seem right.

Bit of a stretch conclusion there. Club is having a massive refresh at coaching and playing level. Bowen states it is his job to refresh the culture, big part of that will be new coaching team who buy into whatever that culture is.

No conclusions, just saying its hopefully part of a thought out shake-up and not done on the whim of a manager who might not be here in 6 months. Like Steve Clarke.

[NewCorkSeth]

Who knows? If it saves money and directly benefits the first team by allowing us to keep hold of our best prospects (by offering them a direct route to the first team) then maybe it is something the club should look at.

I really don't know though.

I thought Brentford just completely got rid of their academy? As in no players at all.

I don't think it is quite as cut and dry as that. They have a B team, or reserves if you will, rather than a full blown academy, but that is still used for youth players and players to be developed.

Ah. See I thought it was! Interesting.

[From Despair To Where?]

I cant see us getting rid of the academy, Not when Richards, Osho, McIntyre, Rinomhota and Olise (you could possibly add Meite to that list) are looking to be key first team squad members and others like Southwood are on the fringe.

[Snowflake Royal]

Same.

There's been some rumblings of discontent in the Academy set up, so it might be an attempt at a new leadership.

If we were axing the thing it wouldn't be just Marshall that went.

[From Despair To Where?]

It's the one part of the club's that does provide value for money and it's one area that isn't counted towards FFP, so as a cost cutting exercise in that regard, it would be utterly pointless. To be fair, the owners down seem keen to invest where they can.