Upcoming youngsters

I always love reading transfer rumours during the close season. But I was wondering whether some of our young players at the U23 level can push on next season to become first team squad/team regulars? The likes of Jasper Moon, Matty Wolfe & Aiden Marsh were the ones who sprang to my mind, but obviously there'll be others.

 

We never saw anything else of Matty Wolf. I thought he had a good debut.

 

We should have ran with him:

 

I'd like to see Jack Aitchison given a run out in preseason. Highly thought of and could have gone to bigger clubs in England or Germany but choose to come to us as we had a pathway mapped out for him. Hasn't had the best of time out on loan but I'm sure the experience will be used to push on.

He did a good interview with the Glasgow is Green podcast earlier in the season. Most of it is about Celtic but it's worth a listen as there's a few nuggets about coming to Barnsley.

Link

 

I think he's injured isn't he? Might be wrong...

 

Worked out well for Mowatt and Sibbick, unsuccessful loans followed up by cementing a place in the first team.

 

I'd definitely concentrate on youth because we have the numbers even allowing for the sale of a couple plus Mowatt not re-signing. I can't see us bringing many in this summer. Just a couple here and there. Obviously Mowatt is the possible key departure. Will they play Wolf, Styles, Kane or Christie Davies there or bring in someone else?

Only players that come in will be replacments. More outs than ins this summer and that's why we have to look at Aitchison, Wolf, Moon.

 

From a personal point of view, I've always enjoyed seeing young players come up through the ranks and become first team regulars. Unfortunately, the downside to this is these are also the type of players that historically some sections of our fanbase select to be their scapegoat (eg. Kenny Brown, Phil Chambers, Steve Agnew, Nicky Eaden).

 

I think the main problem is fitting them in. Midfield next season could easily be Brittain, Kane, Palmer, Styles or Brittain, Kane, Styles, J.Williams. Maybe Wolf for Kane or Palmer off the bench. There's even Christie Davies to factor in. He's a relative youngster in terms of experience.

 

We've always had a number of youngsters coming through and with the aid of the Academy I think we produce quite a few. I'm sure more will be pushing for first team calls ups next season.

 

If we have many more outs than ins we will hardly have a squad imo.
I looked in the Playoff programme and although it’s not an indicator of most sides our list stopped about halfway down the page whilst Swansea’s went almost to the bottom lol.
So they keep carping on about a couple of injuries but they had plenty of cover, we on the other hand would be well and truly hampered .

 

I'm more interested in whether any of the young lads from within the club's Academy & U23's can make the step up to become first team regulars. If they can, then it builds up the first team squad without any adverse affect to the quality.

 

Problem with stock piling players for injuries is what happens if you're lucky and don't get many like this season. I often think what would have happened had both the Williams' not got injured and Ludiwig hadn't gone back to Germany? We'd have been bombed out in midfield.

 

It’s one of those that it’s great if it works out but scandalous if we have loads of injuries .
Nobody takes the excuse of injuries if you’re relegated especially the fans .
There’s always half season loans to see where we are with the squad which we’ve used mainly in outgoings and doesn’t commit to full seasons in case of injuries.
I think we’ve been fortunate with injuries this season probably down to the young age of the players being able to stay fit .

 

I think next season we'll be fine. In central defence we'll have Kitching, Halme, Moon, Sibbick, Sollbauer and Andersen. With the Williams' fit we'll have four wing backs including Brittain and Oduor. In central midfield we'll have Kane, Wolf, Palmer, Christie Davies, Styles. Up front we'll have Woodrow, Chaplin and Morris. Its' only really up front where we'll be short if we get injuries. (Allowing for departure of Mowatt and possibly Helik).

 

As things stand, Moon looks the most likely, but maybe not in his preferred position. That could change if we don't keep hold of the coach.

Are there any left wing backs in the academy that could be looking to step up? Am guessing Thompson and Aitchison will want to know where they stand as well, as will want to breakthrough somewhere sooner rather than later.

 

George Miller.

 

Agreed, I think it’s more exciting (and important) when youngsters come through. Matty Wolfe has been injured (his back again) but I really hope he comes through next year. People say he’s very talented but has had a tough time with growing pains.

 

Going back a few years, I seem to remember Nick Colgan was shipped out on loan before coming back and starring in our 2006 promotion side

 

My nephew Connor Hodgson as been retained and offered a 2 year pro contract,