http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~1659161,00.html http://www.barnsleyone.com/article_template.php?seqno=527 Great bit of news this Hoping this lad plays for US over the next few years & we see a great player from our academy playing for us & not someone else. If we do have to sell him eventually, we might get a lot more money if he's been playing really well for us in the league!
I write as someone who has seen Reuben play more than most, for the academy. You have to remember that he is younger by 1, 2, 3 or even 4 years than the some of the players around him. This serves as a good comparison of his development as compared to players of roughly the same age and older. In terms of skill and ability, he has been outstanding as times, but his endurance and strength is behind that of the older boys. Nevertheless, there is enough there to be extremely positive as to his chances of achieving a high level of success. However, I remember Craig Parry, a goalkeeper who played for England at under 16 level and I remember Andrew Oldham, a central defender who played for England at Under 17 level. Both looked as good as RNL at his age. Both failed to mature. No player of his age can be guaranteed to make it. They have a lot of growing still to do and the late developers can still catch up.
RE: Basically Man U didn't want him. Not exactly true as they have a agreement with Barnsley which gives them first refusal. Don't know how this works, only saying what i was told this morning.
Proper LOL That's what makes this board great. A positive thing; one of our more promising youngsters committing to the club is given a negative spin. In my opinion RNL signing is a good thing for the club. Will he become (a) a first teamer or (b) an also ran or (c) a superstar? Who knows. I'm just glad he has the chance to be an (a) or a (c) with us rather than someone else. My brother played for Rotherham youth as centre half against RNL and he reckoned within their agegroup he was outstanding; the best player he came up against. Of course lots can happen, but at least if he does blossom it will be with us.
