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Post by MarkWolstanton on Nov 16, 2008 15:25:36 GMT
The Youth Team followed up last weeks comprehensive victory over Crewe with a fine 1..0 win away at Blackburn Rovers.
The game was sealed by a penalty late in the first half won and converted by the impressive Nat Wedderburn. Blackburn are a strong side that recently dicked Liverpool (visitors to the Mich next Saturday) 4..0 in a recent game at Brockhall but never looked likely to take anything from the well organised and dangerous Potters.
The team that consists of a majority of first year scholars is really beginning to find its feet now.
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Post by Squeekster on Nov 16, 2008 15:34:47 GMT
Excuse my ignorance but now we are in the Prem do we automatically play in the equivalent reserve and academy Prem leagues?
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Nov 16, 2008 15:49:09 GMT
Nothing has altered in this respect with the elevation to the Prem.
We were already competing in the FA Barclays Premier Academy League.
This is on the basis that we run an Academy Standard Youth Development set up. It is organised on a reginal basis which means we operate in group C. Other clubs in our region incude both Manchester and Liverppol clubs.
The season also include a small number of inter-group games. For example we have played at Charlton and Newcastle United so far this season. We won't play those clubs twice but the points gained do count towards the league.
The only way we would drop out of the Academy League is if we lowered the standards of the set up to School of Excellence. We would then find ourselves competing against the Vales and Chesters of this world rather than the Man Us and Liverpools.
Stoke compete in probably the strongest section which is currently topped by the excelllent Man City Academy.
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Post by Done it for scfcbuxton on Nov 16, 2008 20:10:55 GMT
As Mark said we have a really young squad, with 10 of the 17 being first years.
Of the other 7
-Brunt hasn't played for nearly 12 months due to injury,
-Yilmaz has had a stop start season due to injuries,
-Ash Page is just coming back from a long injury lay off
-Diao-Jiminez is a good all round full back who can also play on the wing, very consistent but missed the start of the season with injury
I also believe Richard Vauls has been out injured until recently, so the team is not only mainly 16 year olds but the 17/18 year olds that are in the squad have spent most of the season injured.
Next season could be an even more successful one as this years U16's are apparently very good and that coupled with this years 1st years should result in a very competitive team.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Nov 16, 2008 20:37:42 GMT
Cheers for that lads. I hope the stunning debut goal of a certain 17 year old at Old Trafford on Saturday will encourage everyone at our Academy (coaches and players) to put the work in and hopefully, produce a young Stokie of similar standard before long.
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Nov 16, 2008 22:11:11 GMT
Too true John.
It also requires substantial backing from the club to provide the environment, facilities and staff to attract and develop the top young prospects in the area.
We have some way to go in terms of facilities when you look at what an average Premier League set up like Blackburn can boast. Their Senior and Academy training centres are currently light years ahead of us.
Good progress has however been made under George Foster so lets hope that the next level can be reached under whoever is taking his place and that St Peter continues to follow through with the financial support that has begun to trickle through to Academy level.
Like all things, I guess the pace of improvement will depend on ourr Premier League survival.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Nov 16, 2008 23:00:45 GMT
Cheers for that lads. I hope the stunning debut goal of a certain 17 year old at Old Trafford on Saturday will encourage everyone at our Academy (coaches and players) to put the work in and hopefully, produce a young Stokie of similar standard before long. Poor defending on our part though!   |
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brief
Spectator
Posts: 28
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Post by brief on Nov 17, 2008 11:46:53 GMT
That's excellent
We have to start placing more emphasis on our academy and start growing a few more of our own.
I recently visited the Blackburn Academy and was really impressed.
Must have been a good performance
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Nov 17, 2008 16:39:21 GMT
There is a report up on the Blackburn site. It's a bit one eyed but hey-oh. The 18s game with Liverpool at the Mich this Saturday will be featured on the Liverpool TV Academy slot next week for those with Setanta by the way. www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AcademyNews/0,,10303~1456899,00.html |
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Post by th05 on Nov 17, 2008 18:24:02 GMT
Good for them, nice to see the young lads doing alright.
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