Academy & U21s

[KentExile]

A week or so after the event, but not sure if I have seen these anywhere else before today

 

 

Edited December 5 by KentExile

[because of boxing day]

First awareness of Jayden Sergeant for me was a strong varied wing play performance  in these extended highlights of an impressive under 18s win v Liverpool. 

No pressure but reminds me of some of the no 11 skills of Duffer.

[KentExile]

 

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/10/venue-change-for-fa-youth-cup-contest/

[KentExile]

Preview of this evenings game

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/12/preview--rovers-under-18s-v-southampton-under-18s/

 

 

Edited yesterday at 10:20 by KentExile

[Comfortably numb]

13 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Preview of this evenings game

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/12/preview--rovers-under-18s-v-southampton-under-18s/

Good luck to the lads tonight, looks like some top prospects will be on display.

[KentExile]

This game is available to stream free via Southampton's site/app, you may have to register, but that is also free

 

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/video/live-video-blackburn-u18-vs-saints-u18-fa-youth-cup

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by KentExile

[because of boxing day]

Joseph Tyjon and Sergeant up front could be a potent goal mix. Each has different skills and physiques that could be a good blend on the night.

[KentExile]

21 minutes ago, because of boxing day said:

Joseph Tyjon and Sergeant up front could be a potent goal mix. Each has different skills and physiques that could be a good blend on the night.

Tyjon will be a 10, Sergeant & McCoy wide, Joseph up top

Vare and Ball should be a good base in midfield too

Edited 19 hours ago by KentExile

[KentExile]

 

[Comfortably numb]

Rovers win 2+1 with (ironically) a 97th minute winner from Harvey Higgins

Rovers other scorer Joseph, who caused the Saints defence plenty of problems with his powerful running and physicality.

Other mentions to Frank Vare , but to me even though he only came on for the last 15 mins or so, Higgins really impressed against a tiring defence who were down to 10 men for the last 25 mins or so.

Apart from his goal Higgins could easily have notched another couple. Another big lad but better technically than Joseph I would say on this showing

[DackDackGoose]

How come Tyjon has dropped to u18s when was in around 1st team?

[arbitro]

A wholly spirited and committed performance saw the Rovers youngsters progress through to the fourth round for a game at either Birmingham or Coventry.

With a smattering of first year scholars Rovers started the game on the front foot and played some good stuff against a Southampton team who were hell bent on trying to play out from really deep positions despite getting caught several times by a good Rovers press.

Rovers took the lead through a smart finish from Joseph who impresses me more every time I see him. We perhaps should have added to that but a ridiculously poor decision allowing a clear foul to pass let Southampton in for an undeserved equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time (sound familiar?).

Southampton came more into the game in the second half no doubt buoyed by their equaliser and the game was evenly balanced until the bad on of their centre halves sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Joseph who was virtually unplayable. Southampton had to reshuffle and played a counter attacking game and in truth spurned a couple of good chances.

With several Rovers players suffering from cramp changes were made and one of these, Harvey Higgins scored from close range in the last of six minutes of stoppage time after some incessant Rovers pressure.

There were wild celebrations after the goal and it was great to see.

Joseph and Vare caught the eye for me but there were quite a few just behind their levels. In the time Higgins was on he also impressed.

I have said it before after seeing the under 18's but they do seem to be exceptionally well coached under Paul Butler.

[KentExile]

3 hours ago, DackDackGoose said:

How come Tyjon has dropped to u18s when was in around 1st team?

I think it may be competition specific.  Several other regulars for for u21s (Joseph, Decandia, & especially thinking of Vare)  also featured last night too.  FA Youth Cup looks to be seen by the club as a little more prestigious than just u18 league games. 

We have 1 u21 game & 1 u18 game next week, so I guess we will get a clearer picture after those

 

match report https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/12/report--rovers-under-18s-2-1-southampton-under-18s/

Edited 7 hours ago by KentExile

[chaddyrovers]

@arbitro how did Tyjon play and what role did he play? 

Thanks for good detailed match reported and I am delighted we won that. 

[arbitro]

6 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

@arbitro how did Tyjon play and what role did he play? 

Thanks for good detailed match reported and I am delighted we won that. 

Tyjon played behind Joseph although at times he dropped off a little bit too much for my liking. He showed some really good touches and displayed good vision by being aware of players making runs. He tired late on, understandable after not playing too much recently.

There were a few scouts there and I know one of them from Arsenal who I spoke to walking out. There was no indication of who in particular he was looking at but several Rovers players must have impressed him.

Edited 6 hours ago by arbitro

[KentExile]

12 minutes ago, arbitro said:

There were a few scouts there and I know one of them from Arsenal who I spoke to walking out. There was no indication of who in particular he was looking at but several Rovers players must have impressed him.

and unfortunately, Rovers have not yet given a pro deal to any of the players on display last night (unless Wilkinson got one.. they have still not officially announced his signing), which means if Arsenal (or other clubs) do try to poach them, we are not in the best position to keep them, and if we do lose them then we are not going to maximize their value

Edited 6 hours ago by KentExile

[chaddyrovers]

10 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Tyjon played behind Joseph although at times he dropped off a little bit too much for my liking. He showed some really good touches and displayed good vision by being aware of players making runs. He tired late on, understandable after not playing too much recently.

Thanks for reply. Good, let's hope we can tie him down to a new contract 

10 minutes ago, arbitro said:

There were a few scouts there and I know one of them from Arsenal who I spoke to walking out. There was no indication of who in particular he was looking at but several Rovers players must have impressed him.

Well that's good but we need to get these good young players tie down to professional contracts. 

[KentExile]

27 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Tyjon played behind Joseph although at times he dropped off a little bit too much for my liking. He showed some really good touches and displayed good vision by being aware of players making runs. He tired late on, understandable after not playing too much recently.

There were a few scouts there and I know one of them from Arsenal who I spoke to walking out. There was no indication of who in particular he was looking at but several Rovers players must have impressed him.

 

33 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

@arbitro how did Tyjon play and what role did he play? 

Thanks for good detailed match reported and I am delighted we won that. 

I may be splitting hairs, but for the majority of the game, last night, Rovers looked to be playing more a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1.  Pre match, I had expected Tyjon to be the "10", but he looked to be one of two "8s" (sorry to those who hate the numbers thing), and quite often the other "8" Vare was more advanced than Tyjon.  But how deep he was looked to be tactical rather than an individual choice (maybe that's the impression created from me watching on stream rather than live in person?)

Tyjon did seem to push up more as the game got towards its closing stages and Rovers were chasing the winner

Edited 6 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

 

I may be splitting hairs, but for the majority of the game, last night, Rovers looked to be playing more a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1.  Pre match, I had expected Tyjon to be the "10", but he looked to be one of two "8s" (sorry to those who hate the numbers thing), and quite often the other "8" Vare was more advanced than Tyjon.  But how deep he was looked to be tactical rather than an individual choice (maybe that's the impression created from me watching on stream rather than live in person?)

Tyjon did seem to push up more as the game got towards its closing stages and Rovers were chasing the winner

I am one who doesn't use the numbers for positions but he was deeper than I would have expected. He was usually at the forefront of the midfield when we were pressing which likely was tactical. He got on the ball more and played more advanced after their player was sent off and Southampton sacrificed one of their midfielders. They also played on the counter attack after the red card.

 

[rigger]

7 hours ago, DackDackGoose said:

How come Tyjon has dropped to u18s when was in around 1st team?

In my opinion Tyjon was in and around the first team to try to persuade him to sign for us. When this hasn't worked he has been dropped to his correct level.

[KentExile]

27 minutes ago, rigger said:

In my opinion Tyjon was in and around the first team to try to persuade him to sign for us. When this hasn't worked he has been dropped to his correct level.

Agree with that although based on his goal return at PL2 level, his correct current level is the U21s

3 goals in 3 this season

4 goals in 7 last season

Edited 2 hours ago by KentExile

[MarkBRFC]

8 hours ago, DackDackGoose said:

How come Tyjon has dropped to u18s when was in around 1st team?

I imagine its to give the U18s the best chance possible to go as far as possible in this competition.

Also, despite the hype I don't think at the moment he's anywhere near good enough or ready to he around the first team.

It is important to remember he's only 17 years old though.