U18/U21 Development Thread (15 Viewers)

[Winny the Bish]

@skyblue93, is Charlie McCann the player you mentioned a few pages ago who's already signed his scholarship and was called up for an England youth side? Or is that someone else?

It was indeed Charlie McCann. Apparently is a quality little player that we'll hopefully see a lot more of in the U18s next year.

 

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[SlowerThanPlatt]

The U23s face Paul Hall's QPR today at Loftus Road (2pm) looking to extend their unbeaten run to 9 games.

I imagine it'll be quite an unexperienced side considering a lot of the U23s squad played 90 minutes for the first team on Wednesday which means some more U18s will be part of the squad which is great for their development.

Chris Stokes could also be involved with him nearing return from injury and Venus saying he needs some game time before being considered

 

[Governmac]

#CCFC U23s XI: Addai (GK), Hickman, Whitmore, Ford, Haynes, Lawton, Shipley, Dev. Kelly-Evans (C), Spence, Siyoud, Ponticelli.

#CCFC U23s SUBS: Scuza (GK), McMahon, Bayliss, Finn.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

2-1 up nearing HT. Ponticelli and Spence with the goals

 

[Nick]

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

2-2 now in the 66th minute

 

[Nick]

Doh

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

U23s lose their first game in 9 as they go down 3-2 to QPR at Loftus Road. Jordan Ponticelli and Kyle Spence with the goals.

Missing regulars Leahy, Maycock, Dion Kelly-Evans, Finch, Thomas and McBean who have been part of the unbeaten run but the experience will only benefit our younger players and shows a pathway for them. U18s Ford, Hickman and Ponticelli playing 90 minutes today gives some of the fringe U18 players + one or two promising U16s the chance to step up for the U18s tomorrow when they face Watford. All about creating opportunity!

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Match report:

Rich Stevens took over the reigns, as the Under-23s were defeated against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Jordan Ponticelli headed City into an early lead and Kyle Spence doubled the advantage shortly after, but Ebere Eze scored twice, either side of an Axel Prohouly strike, to secure the win for QPR..

The Sky Blues started brightly, keeping possession well as they tried to find an opening. However, it was QPR who had the first chance of the game. Corey Addai parried Ryan Manning’s effort, and on the follow up Ebere Eze found the net, but was adjudged to be in an offside.

City took the lead in the twelfth minute through Ponticelli. Jordan Shipley delivered an inviting corner and the striker got in front of his man to head home at the near post.

The Sky Blues deservedly doubled their advantage shortly after through Spence. Ryan Haynes done superbly to find a cross, and although Ponticelli’s initial effort was saved, Spence was on hand to put in the rebound.

Against the run of play, QPR grabbed an immediate lifeline. Axel Prohouly crossed for Ebere Eze to finish well, finding the bottom corner to beat Addai and reduce the deficit.

As the game settled a little after a frantic five-minute spell, City went close again just before half time. Devon Kelly-Evans found Bilal Siyoud, who beat his man and fired towards goals, but ‘keeper Dieng tipped his effort over the bar.

The home side began the second half on the front foot, with Prohouly causing problems for the City defence, although Addai twice denied the forward to retain the Sky Blues’ advantage.

City responded well and nearly added a third through Kelly-Evans. Jak Hickman’s wonderful diagonal ball found the captain, he beat his man but was denied by a smart save from the Hoops’ ‘keeper Dieng.

Just after the hour mark, the home side levelled the game. After a good spell in the game, Eze slipped a ball through to Prohouly and the attacker finished well, hitting it across Addai and into the bottom corner.

QPR continued to come forward and were denied the lead thanks to a good save from Addai. Josh Bowler found space on the left and fired towards goal, but the ‘keeper was equal to it, tipping it over the crossbar.

The home side hit the winner five minutes from the end. Eze grabbing his second of the game, smashing it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give QPR all three points.

 

[shmmeee]

#CCFC U23s XI: Addai (GK), Hickman, Whitmore, Ford, Haynes, Lawton, Shipley, Dev. Kelly-Evans (C), Spence, Siyoud, Ponticelli.

#CCFC U23s SUBS: Scuza (GK), McMahon, Bayliss, Finn.

No Haynes tomorrow then :/

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

U18s bounce back from FA Youth Cup disappointment with a 1-0 win away at Watford (who won their league convincingly last year) this morning.

22 points from 12 games so far, second in the league, 3 points behind leaders Charlton and 5 points clear of third placed Crystal Palace

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

U23s lose their first game in 9 as they go down 3-2 to QPR at Loftus Road. Jordan Ponticelli and Kyle Spence with the goals.

Missing regulars Leahy, Maycock, Dion Kelly-Evans, Finch, Thomas and McBean who have been part of the unbeaten run but the experience will only benefit our younger players and shows a pathway for them. U18s Ford, Hickman and Ponticelli playing 90 minutes today gives some of the fringe U18 players + one or two promising U16s the chance to step up for the U18s tomorrow when they face Watford. All about creating opportunity!

And this is exactly what happened. U16 attacking midfielder Jonathan Ngandu scored the only goal of the game. Another U16, central midfielder, Jack Burroughs also played.

First year centre-back Ross McMahon captained the side over more experienced players (Camwell, Finn and Skuza), can't remember a first year ever captaining the U18s before. The staff at the club seem to rate him quite highly as he's been part of a few U23s squads this year which is rare for a player that age and especially with the U23s being stronger than past years

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Darragh Leahy played his first game for Nuneaton today, 90 minutes in Nuneaton's 1-1 draw with Stockport County

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Tables after 12 games, top two placed teams qualify for the end of season play-offs

 

[shmmeee]

Time to poach a few kids from Charlton then.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Time to poach a few kids from Charlton then.

Charlton always do well in the leagues but they do carry a lot of players at both levels in comparison to us and other clubs. Our intake is smaller but we prefer to give our players opportunites of playing up an age group rather than having large squads. Maddison was playing U23s (or U21s as it was known back in the day) as a first-year scholar (16 or 17 years old), having that experience at such a young age would have definitely helped his transition from academy football to the first team

 

[georgehudson]

STP, what's in store for a Ricketts replacement from the ranks ?
I saw Thompson & Whitmore pre-season & both looked good, & there's also Ford, not forgetting Finch who's only just turned 20, an update would be welcome.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

STP, what's in store for a Ricketts replacement from the ranks ?
I saw Thompson & Whitmore pre-season & both looked good, & there's also Ford, not forgetting Finch who's only just turned 20, an update would be welcome.

I think Darragh Leahy is currently our best defensive prospect (who hasn't made a first team appearance). He's currently on loan at Nuneaton for a month, played 90 minutes for them at the weekend and hopefully he can come back here with more experience and push for the first team. I still think Harries has the most potential but whilst Leahy may not be as technically good as him, he knows the moments when to play the ball and when to get rid - he keeps the game simple. He has all the attributes to be a success in the game. If he continues to develop, and apply himself, we have a good player there. He played at centre-half for our U18s last season but has been left-back for the U23s and Ireland U19s this season so perhaps the club see his long term future and a better route to the first team there.

Finch I'm unsure about. Has Harries and Leahy ahead of him and next year will most likely be joined by two first-year professional centre backs in Jordan Thompson and Reece Ford. Maybe needs a fresh start lower down the pyramid and work his way back up like Josh Ruffels? He'll have too many, younger players who'll need the experience of U23 football next season.

 

[wingy]

I think Darragh Leahy is currently our best defensive prospect (who hasn't made a first team appearance). He's currently on loan at Nuneaton for a month, played 90 minutes for them at the weekend and hopefully he can come back here with more experience and push for the first team. I still think Harries has the most potential but whilst Leahy may not be as technically good as him, he knows the moments when to play the ball and when to get rid - he keeps the game simple. He has all the attributes to be a success in the game. If he continues to develop, and apply himself, we have a good player there. He played at centre-half for our U18s last season but has been left-back for the U23s and Ireland U19s this season so perhaps the club see his long term future and a better route to the first team there.

Finch I'm unsure about. Has Harries and Leahy ahead of him and next year will most likely be joined by two first-year professional centre backs in Jordan Thompson and Reece Ford. Maybe needs a fresh start lower down the pyramid and work his way back up like Josh Ruffels? He'll have too many, younger players who'll need the experience of U23 football next season.

Let's hope Camwell can continue and breakthrough at LB also, strong lad.

 

[shelby76]

Wonder when the match highlights for u23's vs qpr are going to be put up? Or do we only post when we win?

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Some of the first team players with our young players today, great to see:

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Big game for our U18s tomorrow as they welcome third placed Millwall who have won their last 5 games and sit one behind us (noon KO). Entry is free, as always. Definitely worth a watch before the first team game as it should be a competitive game between two good academies.

New addition to the academy over the past few months, Tony Cook has joined as Head of Academy Coaching. He was previously at Nottingham Forest for over 20 years in similar roles and was viewed as an important part of their academy set-up.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

A well deserved professional contract, a few months in advance, for U18s captain Tom Bayliss:



That's now Jordan Ponticelli (signed) and Tom Bayliss (offered) from the U18s

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

The U18s drew 4-4 with Millwall this afternoon in a very entertaining game between two good sides who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. The goals were scored by Kyle Finn, Billy Stedman, Jordan Ponticelli and Chris Camwell. They remain second in the table and travel to Bristol City next Saturday.

Team was: Skuza, Hickman, Ford, McMahon, Camwell, Doyle, Bayliss, Finn, Stedman, Smith, Ponticelli

The U23s are next in action on Monday when they make the journey to London to take on Millwall (2pm)

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

The U18s drew 4-4 with Millwall this afternoon in a very entertaining game between two good sides who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. The goals were scored by Kyle Finn, Billy Stedman, Jordan Ponticelli and Chris Camwell. They remain second in the table and travel to Bristol City next Saturday.

Team was: Skuza, Hickman, Ford, McMahon, Camwell, Doyle, Bayliss, Finn, Stedman, Smith, Ponticelli

The U23s are next in action on Monday when they make the journey to London to take on Millwall (2pm)

Draw ah no way saw Cov scored a 89th minute penalty to go 4-3 up!

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Draw ah no way saw Cov scored a 89th minute penalty to go 4-3 up!

Yeah, 4-4. Think there was about 8 minutes added on and Millwall scored with the last kick of the game! Reminded me of the Ipswich away game where Pablo Counago scored last gasp for them back in 2010

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

The staff and everyone else involved with the academy have been working even harder than usual over the past few days as they've been audited for Cat 2 status under the EPPP system:

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

U23s against Millwall (2pm) with Nicky Eaden in charge: Addai, Whitmore, Thompson, Harries, Haynes, Lawton, Bayliss, Spence, Dev Kelly-Evans, Sayoud, Thomas

Bench: Skuza, Finn, Ford, Ponticelli, Stedman

 

[Winny the Bish]

U23s against Millwall (2pm) with Nicky Eaden in charge: Addai, Whitmore, Thompson, Harries, Haynes, Lawton, Bayliss, Spence, Dev Kelly-Evans, Sayoud, Thomas

Bench: Skuza, Finn, Ford, Ponticelli, Stedman

Lawton said on social media that he expects to play 90 minutes today, then will be at full fitness. Could see him in the first team squad soon with Stevenson suspended.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Half-time and the U23s trail 1-0 to Millwall with the goal coming after 34 minutes

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

8th U23 goal of the season for Thomas, 1-1:

 

[Nick]

I thought he looked rubbish at the start of the season, but while he is actually putting the ball in the net he deserves a shot.

While we create chances, it just needs somebody to put them in.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

U18 winger Kyle Finn, who joins his U18s teammates Jordan Thompson and Tom Bayliss, on for Bilal Sayoud. About 17 minutes left. 1-1

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Millwall take the lead for the second time, 2-1. Their striker netting his second of the game

 

[Joy Division]

I thought he looked rubbish at the start of the season, but while he is actually putting the ball in the net he deserves a shot.

While we create chances, it just needs somebody to put them in.

Everybody looked rubbish at the start of the season, definitely deserves another chance.