Academy & U21s

[bluebruce]

15 minutes ago, rigger said:

So Sheron towed the party line, I have no sympathy for him. A good coach should be able to recognise when a system will not work. He accepted to just carry on. People were still paying hard earned money to go and watch that. I will say that I stopped going when the league system changed to no promotion/relegation.

The u21s exist to create players for the first team, not to be a source of entertainment or win leagues. It makes sense that the u21s would be required to use the same system preferred by the first team manager. That is their best chance of being ready if called upon.

[rigger]

5 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

The u21s exist to create players for the first team, not to be a source of entertainment or win leagues. It makes sense that the u21s would be required to use the same system preferred by the first team manager. That is their best chance of being ready if called upon.

And yet they still expect people to pay.

[riverholmes]

5 hours ago, bluebruce said:

The u21s exist to create players for the first team, not to be a source of entertainment or win leagues. It makes sense that the u21s would be required to use the same system preferred by the first team manager. That is their best chance of being ready if called upon.

Winning isn't the be all, but certainly, it breeds confidence and creates an environment for player development. So, to my mind, results and team performances are an important part of youth player development. Those who deny it are usually underperforming coaches!

Incidentally, I came across the following Rovers reserve result from 2002-03, when the first team was in the Premier League. Looking at the opposition players that became Premier League stalwarts or regulars, it was a remarkable result (albeit, Newcastle lost a man on 40 mins).

A lot of stories in there but it's a curious feeling looking back at in hindsight. 
 

23 January 2003

Newcastle United Reserves	1 - 2	Blackburn Reserves
Half time:	0 - 2
Score Sheet:
Gavilan (85)		Grabbi (27)  Grabbi (42 pen)
	Teams
Steve Harper Brian Kerr Titus Bramble Steven Taylor Peter Ramage Andy Ferrell Diego Gavilan Jamie McClen Lomana LuaLua Shola Ameobi Bradley Orr		Ryan Robinson Jonathan Douglas Alan Morgan Neil Danns Michael Taylor Gordon Greer Jerome Watt Ciaran Donnelly Ciccio Grabbi Jimmy Corbett Paul Gallagher
Substitutes:
Adam Bartlett for Ferrell (43) Damon Robson for McClen (55)		Darren Hockenhull  for Grabbi (65)
Subs not used:
Kris Gate Martin Brittain Neale McDermott		Steven Drench Sebastian Pelzer Anthony Martin Andy Bell
Bookings:
Ameobi (39) illegal tackle Bramble (90) dissent		Taylor (11) tackle on LuaLua
Dismissals:
Steve Harper (42) straight red for tackle on Taylor.		Michael Taylor (67) questionable second yellow for fair tackle on Or

 

[Mattyblue]

It’s free for ST holders or the games are at Brockhall where anybody can rock up. Academy teams aren’t there for anything but to find those odd diamonds for the first team, the rest are just making up the numbers until they end up at a Barrow or in Tesco.

If you are expecting no holes barred fights for glory then more fool you for wasting your four quid at Leyland.

[MarkBRFC]

Phil Jones has been doing the rounds recently claiming what a huge "Blackburn fan" he is and how we are and always have been his club etc. Also desperate for a move into football as stated on the recent podcasts etc he has been on, and also has been around the club a lot recently I believe.

Surely a coincidence that a half decent position at the club has just opened up?

[Tomphil2]

Massive Rovers fan, wants a job here until UTD offer a role being head of hotdogs with free ST chucked in, then he'll be off there.

[KentExile]

U18s are away to Liverpool this morning, 11am kick off

Sergeant (who was hugely impressive against Liverpool in last years 5-0 win) starts, and has an early assist

Rovers won 8-3, Sergeant with a goal & an assist before being withdrawn at half time (presumably he has some part to play in one of the two U21 games this midweek), Leatherbarrow with 3, Joseph with 2, Potter off the bench to score the 7th, and Lister with a late penalty

 

highlights of the 5-0 win mentioned above

I am sure most won't want to see a 7-3 reverse, but the full 90 mins of our U18s game with Man City a few weeks ago is on Youtube in case anyone is interested

 

Edited 9 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

Today is the under 18's sixth league match and including today so far there have been an incredible 35 goals.

Edit:

It's now 4-2 with Valentin Joseph notching.

Edited 10 hours ago by arbitro

[KentExile]

2 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Today is the under 18's sixth league match and including today so far there have been an incredible 35 goals.

36

5-2, Leatherbarrow hat trick

Edited 10 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

8 minutes ago, KentExile said:

36

5-2, Leatherbarrow hat trick

37

Now 6-2 with Joseph scoring his second.

[KentExile]

3 minutes ago, arbitro said:

37

Now 6-2 with Joseph scoring his second.

I do wonder with Joseph just how much of his good form at youth level is due to his size allowing him to physically dominate & "bully" his peers in the same age group, and if so,will that translate if/when he steps up to first team level

 

You have probably seen more of him than most on here, what are your thoughts?

Edited 10 hours ago by KentExile

[KentExile]

Liverpool now down to 10

[Bronzed A Donis]

10 hours ago, riverholmes said:

Winning isn't the be all, but certainly, it breeds confidence and creates an environment for player development. So, to my mind, results and team performances are an important part of youth player development. Those who deny it are usually underperforming coaches!

Incidentally, I came across the following Rovers reserve result from 2002-03, when the first team was in the Premier League. Looking at the opposition players that became Premier League stalwarts or regulars, it was a remarkable result (albeit, Newcastle lost a man on 40 mins).

A lot of stories in there but it's a curious feeling looking back at in hindsight. 
 

23 January 2003

 

Newcastle United Reserves	1 - 2	Blackburn Reserves
Half time:	0 - 2
Score Sheet:
Gavilan (85)		Grabbi (27)  Grabbi (42 pen)
	Teams
Steve Harper Brian Kerr Titus Bramble Steven Taylor Peter Ramage Andy Ferrell Diego Gavilan Jamie McClen Lomana LuaLua Shola Ameobi Bradley Orr		Ryan Robinson Jonathan Douglas Alan Morgan Neil Danns Michael Taylor Gordon Greer Jerome Watt Ciaran Donnelly Ciccio Grabbi Jimmy Corbett Paul Gallagher
Substitutes:
Adam Bartlett for Ferrell (43) Damon Robson for McClen (55)		Darren Hockenhull  for Grabbi (65)
Subs not used:
Kris Gate Martin Brittain Neale McDermott		Steven Drench Sebastian Pelzer Anthony Martin Andy Bell
Bookings:
Ameobi (39) illegal tackle Bramble (90) dissent		Taylor (11) tackle on LuaLua
Dismissals:
Steve Harper (42) straight red for tackle on Taylor.		Michael Taylor (67) questionable second yellow for fair tackle on Or

 

Glad Michael Taylor took Orr out.

[arbitro]

9 minutes ago, KentExile said:

I do wonder with Joseph just how much of his good form at youth level is due to his size allowing him to physically dominate & "bully" his peers in the same age group, and if so,will that translate if/when he steps up to first team level

 

You have probably seen more of him than most on here, what are your thoughts?

It's a fair conclusion to draw. 

He does use his physicality in the right way but he has other assets. His touch is good, he seems quick and knows where the net is. Given that he is 17 he will probably grow even bigger though.

[KentExile]

1 minute ago, arbitro said:

It's a fair conclusion to draw. 

He does use his physicality in the right way but he has other assets. His touch is good, he seems quick and knows where the net is. Given that he is 17 he will probably grow even bigger though.

7-2

[Bronzed A Donis]

8!

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, Bronzed A Donis said:

8!

8-3 now.

[KentExile]

2 minutes ago, arbitro said:

8-3 now.

booooooo

[Tugayisgod]

Can anyone confirm the whereabouts of Harvey Higgins? Some have mentioned he's injured, hopefully he's not been quietly moved on elsewhere.

[bluebruce]

14 minutes ago, KentExile said:

booooooo

Crushing blow that.

[arbitro]

4 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

Can anyone confirm the whereabouts of Harvey Higgins? Some have mentioned he's injured, hopefully he's not been quietly moved on elsewhere.

He was in a boot a few weeks ago. I was told it was a five week out injury but not what the actual injury was.

[KentExile]

5 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

Can anyone confirm the whereabouts of Harvey Higgins? Some have mentioned he's injured, hopefully he's not been quietly moved on elsewhere.

Not been seen on the pitch since pre season

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/july/31/report--rovers-under-18s-1-0-crewe-alexandra-under-18s-/

Can't be quietly moved on as he is under contract for another 2 years

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/may/15/introducing-the-class-of-2025-/

[KentExile]

6 minutes ago, arbitro said:

He was in a boot a few weeks ago. I was told it was a five week out injury but not what the actual injury was.

Any news on Mansbridge or Leeming?

Not seen much (if any) of them this season

[arbitro]

9 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Any news on Mansbridge or Leeming?

Not seen much (if any) of them this season

I haven't heard anything. 

As we discussed earlier last week the coming week will be telling in terms of resources and availability.

[Torgeir]

8 hours ago, KentExile said:

I do wonder with Joseph just how much of his good form at youth level is due to his size allowing him to physically dominate & "bully" his peers in the same age group, and if so,will that translate if/when he steps up to first team level

 

You have probably seen more of him than most on here, what are your thoughts?

He outmuscled the Rochdale players with ease in the National League Cup. I'll be amazed if he isn't called up to the England youth team soon, looks an incredible talent to me.