Academy & U21s

[chaddyrovers]

5 hours ago, arbitro said:

Great performance from the under 21's and the manager deserves credit as he got his tactics perfect. 

We played counter attack in the first half and created more chances than City. Taking a 2-0 lead was perfect as we broke with pace when the opportunity arose. I thought the penalty awarded for a foul on Tyjon was harsh but he despatched it expertly. The second goal from Powell finished off a smart, incisive move.

We new City would come out in the second half and go for it but we defended terrifically well and really limited them to long distance shots.

We reverted to a solid back five to quell their attack and let them have the ball in non threatening areas. It worked to a tee.

A really enjoyable game with lots of good individual performances but the collective was indeed better.

And as I alluded to the manager deserves great credit for his game plan and tactics.

We was in charge of the team please? 

[KentExile]

6 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

We was in charge of the team please? 

Pretty certain its still John Prince (Head of Academy Coaching).  He was originally meant to be in charge until a replacement for Sheron was sorted out

[KentExile]

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/october/27/report--rovers-under-21s-2-0-manchester-city-under-21s/

Not sure if this is by mistake or because he has changed his name, but the lineup in Rovers report has "Chukwu" in place of "Joseph" from last weekends game

Ashley Phillips was originally a different surname (Famuyiwa) when he first appeared, or is it an admin F up

Edited Tuesday at 07:51 by KentExile

[arbitro]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/october/27/report--rovers-under-21s-2-0-manchester-city-under-21s/

Not sure if this is by mistake or because he has changed his name, but the lineup in Rovers report has "Chukwu" in place of "Joseph" from last weekends game

Ashley Phillips was originally a different surname (Famuyiwa) when he first appeared, or is=ts an admin F up

Unofficial team sheets for games at Leyland (not Brockhall) have the full players names including middle names. On Saturday against City they couldn't fit a couple of players names on the sheet. I noticed Josephs name was different but never really gave it a second thought.

It's a pure guess but because it's an under 21 game would the official team sheet (which will be forwarded to the Premier League) have to include the players full name so checks can be made to verify their age in case there are any issues. The admin team at Leyland perhaps copy this as they won't know the players.

The unofficial Team sheets from Leyland actually include the referee observers name which I've never seen before but it adds a bit of credence to my theory about the Leyland admin

[KentExile]

7 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Unofficial team sheets for games at Leyland (not Brockhall) have the full players names including middle names. On Saturday against City they couldn't fit a couple of players names on the sheet. I noticed Josephs name was different but never really gave it a second thought.

It's a pure guess but because it's an under 21 game would the official team sheet (which will be forwarded to the Premier League) have to include the players full name so checks can be made to verify their age in case there are any issues. The admin team at Leyland perhaps copy this as they won't know the players.

The unofficial Team sheets from Leyland actually include the referee observers name which I've never seen before but it adds a bit of credence to my theory about the Leyland admin

Ah, apparently his middle name is "Ifeanyichukwu"

Edited Tuesday at 07:55 by KentExile

[KentExile]

 

 

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25570182.ismael-explains-absence-hot-blackburn-rovers-prospect/

 

Valerien Ismael believes Igor Tyjon 'isn't ready' for Blackburn Rovers' first team and needs longer to adapt to senior football.

The 17-year-old was earmarked as a player who could make the step up from the Academy and contribute this season. However, his game time has been limited with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup.

Championship minutes have not been forthcoming and the England youth international has only been on the bench twice, last in August against Hull City.

With Ismael last week doubting the impact of Makhtar Gueye, supporters have naturally questioned whether Tyjon should be given an opportunity.

However, the head coach feels the teenager isn't ready to make an impact in the first team.

"He's a player who is still young, 17 years old," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire before the Southampton game.

"He has a long way to go. He is not ready for what we expect which is normal. He needs more time and that's it.

"He is focused on the national team with the World Cup which is very important for him. He is not ready for us right now, we have assessed him a lot.

"The statistics show he needs more time. That's why he has a lot of games with the 21s which helps him to develop, he is only 17 years old."

Tyjon remains under contract at Rovers until the end of the season after signing a two-year scholarship. He has been eligible for his first senior contract since March and whilst it's understood the club have offered one, it has yet to be signed.

Ismael was also pressed further on his comments about Gueye, who was then an unused substitute against the Saints. The Rovers boss was not as damning in his assessment when quizzed on his view.

"I think it's important that everyone who comes in, whether it's five minutes, 10 minutes, they are doing the same effort in the right direction," he explained.

"He works hard and tries to do the things well. Some situations were unlucky for him but he keeps working and that is the main thing."

Edited Wednesday at 07:43 by KentExile

[Tugayisgod]

The u17 world cup is being covered on terrestrial TV so it will be interesting to watch and see how he does ( and what position he plays)

[KentExile]

27 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

The u17 world cup is being covered on terrestrial TV so it will be interesting to watch and see how he does ( and what position he plays)

What channel is that? 

I wasn't aware that they were on TV, but if not, then they are being streamed for free on FIFAs website

 

[Tugayisgod]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

What channel is that? 

I wasn't aware that they were on TV, but if not, then they are being streamed for free on FIFAs website

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/itv-agree-deal-broadcast-fifa-u-17-world-cup-qatar-2025&ved=2ahUKEwiS4L2skcmQAxUlWkEAHVcpKqEQvOMEKAB6BAgUEAE&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw2QZLHcY2Jmw173WX_2V2hR

[Exiled_Rover]

4 hours ago, KentExile said:

 

 

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25570182.ismael-explains-absence-hot-blackburn-rovers-prospect/

 

Valerien Ismael believes Igor Tyjon 'isn't ready' for Blackburn Rovers' first team and needs longer to adapt to senior football.

The 17-year-old was earmarked as a player who could make the step up from the Academy and contribute this season. However, his game time has been limited with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup.

Championship minutes have not been forthcoming and the England youth international has only been on the bench twice, last in August against Hull City.

With Ismael last week doubting the impact of Makhtar Gueye, supporters have naturally questioned whether Tyjon should be given an opportunity.

However, the head coach feels the teenager isn't ready to make an impact in the first team.

"He's a player who is still young, 17 years old," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire before the Southampton game.

"He has a long way to go. He is not ready for what we expect which is normal. He needs more time and that's it.

"He is focused on the national team with the World Cup which is very important for him. He is not ready for us right now, we have assessed him a lot.

"The statistics show he needs more time. That's why he has a lot of games with the 21s which helps him to develop, he is only 17 years old."

Tyjon remains under contract at Rovers until the end of the season after signing a two-year scholarship. He has been eligible for his first senior contract since March and whilst it's understood the club have offered one, it has yet to be signed.

Ismael was also pressed further on his comments about Gueye, who was then an unused substitute against the Saints. The Rovers boss was not as damning in his assessment when quizzed on his view.

"I think it's important that everyone who comes in, whether it's five minutes, 10 minutes, they are doing the same effort in the right direction," he explained.

"He works hard and tries to do the things well. Some situations were unlucky for him but he keeps working and that is the main thing."

He won't be here next year. 

[KentExile]

16 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He won't be here next year. 

Probably true, I would be amazed if he is

The only reason he would have to stay is if he is going to play first team football, which we have seen he isn't ready for

So it makes all the sense in the world for him to go to a team where he will be paid in excess of £10K/week to play for the U21s and/or be loaned out

It's not as if he is a Rovers lad, or has been here long.  Seeing as he only joined us from Rochdale in November 2023

As it stands, even out of contract, Rovers will make a sizable profit on him as they have offered him a contract, just a shame that those profits will be used primarily to pay the gas bill

Edited Wednesday at 12:45 by KentExile

[bluebruce]

5 hours ago, KentExile said:

Probably true, I would be amazed if he is

The only reason he would have to stay is if he is going to play first team football, which we have seen he isn't ready for

So it makes all the sense in the world for him to go to a team where he will be paid in excess of £10K/week to play for the U21s and/or be loaned out

It's not as if he is a Rovers lad, or has been here long.  Seeing as he only joined us from Rochdale in November 2023

As it stands, even out of contract, Rovers will make a sizable profit on him as they have offered him a contract, just a shame that those profits will be used primarily to pay the gas bill

Honestly, I would expect his stock has dropped, at least a bit. He was expected to be a Championship squad player this season and he hasn't been anywhere near it. Prem clubs will notice he hasn't developed as expected. I'm not sure he will still get 10k pw offers unless that changes by season end.

Tbh I got the impression in the summer Arsenal only wanted him for their u21s and the off chance he makes it, rather than thinking he's the real deal.

[KentExile]

12 hours ago, bluebruce said:

I'm not sure he will still get 10k pw offers unless that changes by season end.

Rated more highly than Tyjon but Chido Obi Martin turned down £15K-£20K/week at Arsenal as a 16 year old * to sign for Man Utd for more than £30K/week

To one of those clubs, or Chelsea, Man City etc, £10K/week for a player to see if he maybe makes it is chicken feed

* agreed in advance for when he turned 17 in November last year

Edited Thursday at 06:19 by KentExile

[B16Rover]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

Rated more highly than Tyjon but Chido Obi Martin turned down £15K-£20K/week at Arsenal as a 16 year old to sign for Man Utd for more than £30K/week

To one of those clubs, or Chelsea, Man City etc, £10K/week for a player to see if he maybe makes it is chicken feed

Somewhere in Pune someone has just found it you can swap players directly for chicken feed - and now the game is on!

[KentExile]

U21s away at Man Utd this evening - preview apparently Garrett may feature, Tyjon is away with England U17s

U18s at home to Man Utd tomorrow morning

Edited yesterday at 10:16 by KentExile

[KentExile]

U21s 3-0 up at Man Utd at half time, Doherty, Boggan & Powell with the goals

Man Utd U21 had won their last 5 games and were top of the table before tonight's game

Edited 15 hours ago by KentExile

[Tugayisgod]

May be coincidence but results have definitely picked up since Mike Sheron departed.

Maybe after 10 years a new voice was needed, and it seems to be working ATM, although Utd are down to 10 men

[only2garners]

United have actually won all 7 of their games this season. They had a centre back sent off for two yellows when the game was at 0-1.

[Rogerb]

Finished 4-0. Boggan with a second

[arbitro]

Following on from beating City last week the under 21's were again impressive in beating United 4-0. Although United were reduced to ten men towards the end of the second half I firmly believe  Rovers would still have won comfortably had United had a full compliment.

Three up at half-time was terrific but I had a quick look at the stats and United had 79% possession which, as stats often are so misleading. I thought it was a big part of the Rovers game plan to let United have plenty of the ball in non threatening areas which worked to a tee. That, coupled with an intelligent press was a fundamental part of Rovers tactics.

The goals in the first half were all team efforts with several players involved in each build up and the team effort was once again really good.

The second half was a bit of a damp squib as Rovers once again allowed United to have plenty of the ball but we still created the best chances.

In truth Michalski didn't have a shot to save such was our overall dominance. On the night I thought Frank Vare was our best player. He reminds me of Adam Wharton in many aspects and if he turns our to be half as good as will still have a player on our hands.

Darragh Tuffy and his staff also deserve praise (as they did last week) for a really well executed game plan.