Accademy Report

Barnsley 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0

The last time I watched the accademy was the last home game on November 18 2006, when they lost 5-2 to Sunderland. They were a shambles. That same day the first team lost 2-0 at Crystal Palace and Andy Ritchie was sacked. The accademy record at this point was played 13 won 1 drawn 3 lost 9 points 6. Perhaps someone would work out the points per game because it was good enough to get him the managers job. Due to the december break in fixtures, they have played only 3 fixtures, plus a youth cup game. The record is played 4, won 2 drwan 2 and lost 0. It looks to me like the next first team manager has the initials DH.

There is a phrase in management, "paralysis through analysis". It means that the company cannot make a decision because there is too much information. Having seen the improvement this morning, I believe the new young badged up coaches restrict their team's ability to play and take decisions because they are given too much information and too many jobs to do. They were a revelation this morning, lacking only a goalscorer to have won comfortably.

I wrote enthusiasically about the first year intake when I fist saw them at the start of the season. Sadly they had their flair knocked out of them by their coach, who appeared to want 11 automatons. There was just glum looks from the toughline and a white board for half-time. This has been replaced by a constant flow of encouragement and coaching. The complex 4-3-3 and diamond systems have been replaced by a simple 4-4-2. The lads are enjoying themselves again, and it shows in their play.


1. James Waggett (GK)(Year 2 student)
Had very little to do, but swept up well behind a high line and caught his crosses well. Was at fault for 2 goals in the last match I saw. Such is the life of a keeper.

2. Marc Devonshire (RB)(Yr1)
This was his first start and competed very well. Seemed comfortable on the ball and rarely wasted it.

3. Danny Smith (LB)(Yr1)
Usually a right back but had to play on the left to allow Devonshire to play. I just cannot speak too highly of this lad. He is qick, 2 footed and uses the ball well.

4. Ryan Jennings (CH)(Yr1) *
The improvement in Ryan is staggering. He totally dominated the centre of our defence. He is a certainty for the first team within 3 years if he continues to improve at his current rate.

5. Luke Potter (CH)(Yr2)
Luke plays either left back or centre half. In my opionion, centre half is his best position. He got a minor injury just before half-time which restricted his movement a little for the second half. Nevertheless, he was outstanding at the heart of our defence throughout.

6. Jacob Butterfield (CM)(Yr1)
Pulls the strings in the heart of mid-field. His first touch earns him the time and can beat a player with ease. Tired after 70 minutes which allowed Wednesday back into it, but has great potential. First start for the club.

7. Greg McGrory (RM)(Yr1)
A winger in the Barraclough mould, he needs to add weight and strength to a very slender frame. First start for the club.

8. Jacob White (CM)(Yr1)
He was competitive until he tired in the final quarter. First start for the club.

9. Tom Beevor (CF)(Yr3)
This season Tom has been a moody outcast to the left wing, where he has been too easy to isolate and stop. As a result, I had virtually written his time at BFC off. Today he was another revelation, taking on players, beating people for pace, flicking on imaginatively and getting in shots. I guess he for one is pleased that Davey has moved up stairs.

10. Kyle Wyatt (CF)(Yr2)
Kyle's body gives the impression of a badly assembled skeleton. He seems to lack all the attributes needed to be a footballer. Nevertheless, the new coach has worked miracles with him. He has found more speed and the strength to hold up play. He should have finnished with at least 2 goals though.

11. Luke Fedorenko (LM)(Yr1)
Luke usually plays as a striker but has not yet developed the composure needed to score goals. He has pace though, and I think that we will make a player of him.

12. Leon Ormsby (Yr1) for Greg McGrory
13. Chris Brown (Yr1) for Kyle Wyatt

Does this report constitute a dossier. If so, can I be the next manager please.

 

Good report m8 thanx nt

 

Good work Fella

Nice to hear how the academy is getting on (clap)

 

RE: Good work Fella

didnt get there today, it seems like I am missing a revival in fortunes.
Under Davey they were very poor

 

BTT nt

 

RE: Accademy Report- thanks, makes interesting reading

Seems as though the young lads were a bit overcoached under S.D., now freer to express themselves under the new coach, who incidentally is who????

 

Dave Hancock

I believe, Anthony Kay's Step Dad

 

RE: Dave Hancock

Thanks for that. Let's hope he gets the job full time, this report from Red Rain's very positive. You need to encourage young lads so much, give 'em confidence which this new chap seems to be doing. If PC's vision (which I share) of a Barnsley team with a high percentage of homegrown lads is to happen, the coaching at youth level is very important.

 

So, why weren't they achieving under Davey?

Not having a go or anything, but I can't get my head around their lack of success under him.

 

RE: So, why weren't they achieving under Davey?

Not sure why they underachieved, but R.R. seems to suggest now that there's fewer constraints upon them. and they're being praised and encouraged which is what youngsters need.

 

What a thoroughly enjoyable read .

I hope you'll do more of this type of reporting in the future . Great post , mate . (respect) (respect)

 

RE: So, why weren't they achieving under Davey?

Whilst my antipathy towards Mr Davey tempts me to lay all the fault for poor academy performances at his feet, this is of course not true. My report notes beside every player what scolastic year they are in. Please note how many first years there are in the thirteen players that played. If I recall, there was just 1 3rd year, 2 2nd years and 10 1st years. We only had 1 unused player on our bench who was Free, a goalkeeper who is not yet signed to the academy. Therefore we had 10 under 17 year olds and 2 under 18 year olds playing in an under 19 league. I have no idea how old the opposition were, but Sunderland particularly looked bigger, stronger and older than us. The academy is there to develop talent. Winning is not the be all and end all that it is with the first team, but I enjoy watching the lads because I enjoy watching them develop and improve. Sure, some talented 16 year olds go on to disappoint, and there have been many of those, but you are never going to have a 100% success rate because players develop at different rates and so many things are needed to be a successful footballer, not the least of which are bravery and character.

 

Correct, also a very good friend of Mr Cryne, and a thoroughly decent bloke.

 

Danny Frost?

 

what abart him?

 

How come he didnt laik?

 

oh, ok! I like danny frost as well. he's always done ok when i've watched him

 

Me & Dixon went to school with him.

Just wondered how he was gerrin on.

 

last time i was darn t' well, he was trainin on the astro turf n he looks like he will be a good player. he's a nice lad as well!

 

RE: Accademy Report- thanks, makes interesting reading

I believe Ronnie Branson has been looking after them. But he has been on leave for half the time since Simon has been in charge of the first team. He's back now, like.