Barnsley 0 Everton 2 I arrived expecting to see some of next year intake playing as we released 3 lads during the week. However, Waggett was playing in goal, Frost was up front and Wyatt was on the bench. The morning was warm and the pitch was dry and uneven making control difficult. With only 5 minutes gone, Everton scored as the Barnsley defence was caught by a feint and although the Keeper parried, they were still appealling for offside as Everton scored with the rebound. By half time we had created nothing and Everton were on top. They played the same system as the first team. The centre forward occupied our 2 central defenders whilst their 10 flourished in acres of space he created. The Everton bench conducted their half time talk right in front of me and gave their 10 a right earful for not holding the ball up well for the first 20 minutes. Talk about harsh. The rest of the talk concentrated on not conceeding. The second half began as the first half ended with Barnsley having most of the ball and Everton playing on the break. In truth, further goals looked unlikely until their 10 took advantage of a favourable ricochet to make the game safe. Barnsley Team 1. James Waggett 2. Ryan Jennings 3. Danny Smith 4. Stefan Holt 5. Luke Waterfall 6. Jacob White 7. Greg McGrory 8. Jacob Butterfield 9. Michael Coulson 10. Danny Frost 11. Luke Federenko Mark Devonshire came on for an injured Stefan Holt ar half time with Ryan Jennings moving to Centre Half. Kyle Wyatt replaced a tired Danny Frost with 10 minutes remaining. This was the Academy's final home game of a season that began with a very young side that seemed to contain many promising young players. It is perhaps time to ask the question whether there has been the expected improvement. The team were managed by Simon Davey at the beginning of the season and Ronnie Branston at the end. The biggest improvement in results came when the team started to include Michael Coulson in the second half of the season and he is undoubtedly the best hope in the short term. Jacob Butterfield is a first year student but retains the promise he showed from the start of the season whilst improving his strength stamina and fitness. I think that Ryan Jennings, another first year has also confirmed his ability, but at centre half rather than at right full back, where he has been forced to play for most of the season. Luke Waterfall has the stature of a centre half, but has a tendancy for ball watching. If this can be remedied he may make it. He shows the most improvement since August. A certainty for a quick elevation in August was Danny Smith, but being constantly played out of position (left back instead of right back) seems to be wearing on his confidence. The rest of the first years have not shown the improvement required. I am not sure if Ronnie Branston is the right man to bring the best out of the lads. Certainly, he seems to give them too much information during the action, rather than coaching during breaks in play and at half time... but what do I know?
This is an almost impossible question to answer. The making of a footballer is full of ups and downs. I was very enthusiastic about the side from which Robbie Williams graduated. That side reached the semi-final of the Youth Cup and lost to an Aston Villa side for which the Moore brother starred. Only Robbie Williams and Scott Flinders graduated from that side, and even the Moore brothers have not fulfilled their potential. My Academy Report contains my assessment of the players with potential, but whether they will go on to achieve their potential is anyone's guess.
Only asking. Just wondered if any of them would be considered as outstanding potential. Dont get to watch any Academy games so am always looking for other peoples opinion.
You should try to get down. Perhaps people would be less inclined to criticise the need for the academy if they watched the youngsters develop. I love it, and during the depressing days of administration and relegation, it was sometimes the only bright spot.
Hard to say. Danny Frost was played out of position at centre forward and Wyatt was only on 5 minutes and did not get a kick. Waggett tried and was powerless to stop both goals.
Personally I think the Academy is a great idea and would never criticise it. Would love to get down to some of the games but I have an hours drive to get to Oakwell and go to all first team matches and most away games so get a bit sick of driving. Am hoping to move back to Barnsley in next few years so will be able to get down then.
