Who might step up from the U18s/U23s?

Rather than more doom and gloom about who we might not have next season, let’s talk about any of our young ‘uns who might get a chance to fill any gaps next season.

Our young lads just won a title. For anyone who has watched them, who do you fancy to break through in the next 12 months? Staying in League One is painful, but it could be a blessing for our current academy crop.

 

Charlie Winfield is back fit and hope that he can break through.

Jalo is the obvious one though.

 

Yeah there were high hopes for Winfield before his big injury wasn't there? I was disappointed that his loan this year didn't work out.

I hope Helliwell breaks through this year. It was cruel for him to get that injury on his first start - feels like years ago now!

I also hope Marsh can stay fit for a season, either here or out on loan. Needs a full season.

Ackroyd seems to have done really well out on loan, a nd was involved with the squad last week. Lots of good players ahead of him though.

Big season for Matty Wolfe too. Needs to try and nail down a place.

I've got high hopes for Jalo and Dyer - might be too soon for them though

 

Good question. I've only seen the Under 18s 3 or 4 times and Jalo looked a cut above but there were others that seemed to be very impressive for their age too. Bland, the captain, looked assured. I just worry he's a bit small to be playing centre back and may make a better defensive midfielder. Chapman who's an attacking midfielder (a number 10 in modern parlance) also seems to have all the skills. Only seen him once but the 'Trialist' who played in the final last week at centre back was big and strong and seemed to win everything. Lastly, I really liked the right back, McKay, who had some good pace about him, was tough and determined in the tackle and delivered some decent crosses too.

The other thing that was good to see was that they play the same formation as the first team and so, if and when they get an opportunity, they will know their role.

 

I thought the young uns would get a look in this season.
They got no where near.
Hope we're not loaning players in front of em this season .

 

I think jalo is the next one who looks like he could make some appearances from the bench some good showings in the pizza trophy against men.

Marsh needs to stay fit and have a good loan spell if we keep him.

Not sure what's happened to matty Wolfe.

 

I watched the u18s in the final at oakwell and I really liked the look of the trialist at number 4 he could be a player for the future

 

Wolfe will miss most if not all of next season with his knee injury

 

When does his contract end?

 

Pretty sure he only signed a 2 year deal at the end of last season.

 

It’s not one for next season as he’s only a pup. But Rogan Ravenhill, the goalie, is outstanding.

 

Oh wow, where have you heard that? That’s shocking. Was his injury in that intra-squad friendly a few months back?

 

Jalo looked like he has some sort of injury during the final, hope it was norhing serious. I agreed the trialist looked very assured, took a pen too. Hopefully some do get a chance next season, I suppose that's one benefit of staying in league 1.

 

Yep

 

Should be looking at Jalo being 4th or 5th striker in the squad this season, and getting a few more games in the first team. If we can get a new loan signing to be first choice striker, then Cole and Norwood, with Shaw and Jalo competing to be the 4th striker.

Would much rather winfield be the back up left wing back than use up a loan spot for that role, so he could come through this season. Maybe try and find another loan for Ackroyd, at a higher level than this season's.

There may be a spot at centre back up for grabs if anyone in the academy is looking like being ready, given that two of the back three are likely to leave.

 

I really liked the look of Ackroyd in the Harrogate match. Looked to me like he could step up
That said, we are blessed with a quality midfield

 

Jalo saw first hand this season how big and tough the step up is. If we only get two first team regular starters from the current developmental lads, that would be a big success. So many good youth players don't get a first team career.