Academy & U21s

[wilsdenrover]

Targeting France and Africa.

I’m sure Gestede being French of African descent is purely coincidental.

 

 

[KentExile]

9 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

Targeting France and Africa.

I’m sure Gestede being French of African descent is purely coincidental.

 

 

 

I thought there was a rule where foreign players could no longer sign until they were 18, and by such time would require one or the other of a GBE/ESC, so who is this France/Africa talent guy watching for the academy? (which is typically U18s)

 

Edit - His LinkedIn answers my question, U18s-U23s apparently, so cheap ESC buys would be my guess

 

I wonder if they are aware that if/when we end up in League 1, we are limited to 2 ESC slots?

Edited yesterday at 08:00 by KentExile

[KentExile]

Isaac Whitehall has joined Billy Barr & Tyler Magloire at Workington (7th tier)

Like agloire, has had a shocking time with injuries, hope they both get back on track

 

 

[bluebruce]

16 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

Targeting France and Africa.

I’m sure Gestede being French of African descent is purely coincidental.

 

 

It's a good market tbf. Problem is our ability to actually sign them with the new rules.

4 hours ago, KentExile said:

Isaac Whitehall has joined Billy Barr & Tyler Magloire at Workington (7th tier)

Like agloire, has had a shocking time with injuries, hope they both get back on track

 

 

Really a shame about Whitehall. He seemed like a very promising prospect at one time, always getting rave reviews, but suffered from almost perpetual injuries.

[KentExile]

Preview of tonight's U21 game, don't know why its saying Frank Vare might have earned the opportunity to step up to U21 level, he has been a fixture for the U21s for most of the season

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/16/preview--rovers-under-21s-v-watford-under-21s/

Edited yesterday at 14:40 by KentExile

[Comfortably numb]

[KentExile]

1 hour ago, Comfortably numb said:

Kahn starting 😞 

 

Many goals need to be scored to win this

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Garrett back from injury, I’d forgotten all about him.

[KentExile]

 

[KentExile]

ffs

 

Edited yesterday at 19:27 by KentExile

[KentExile]

2-2 at half time

 

[KentExile]

49 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Garrett back from injury, I’d forgotten all about him.

off at half time, presumably pre-planned

 

[KentExile]

 

[RoyWegerlesLeftToe]

49 minutes ago, KentExile said:

ffs

 

Shevchenko. I know that name. Is he a relative of the superstar?

[RoyWegerlesLeftToe]

Yes it is btw.

[KentExile]

3 minutes ago, RoyWegerlesLeftToe said:

Shevchenko. I know that name. Is he a relative of the superstar?

his son

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristian-shevchenko/profil/spieler/1221607

Edited 23 hours ago by KentExile

[London blue]

Joseph will almost certainly be off before signing a pro contract. He's exactly what PL scouts will be looking for in a young striker.

[KentExile]

 

Edited 22 hours ago by KentExile

[bluebruce]

5 hours ago, KentExile said:

Kahn starting 😞 

 

Many goals need to be scored to win this

You were right.

[KentExile]

match report from last night

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/16/report--rovers-under-21s-4-2-watford-under-21s/

[KentExile]

7 hours ago, bluebruce said:

You were right.

Khan record for Rovers U21 & U18

This season - played 2, conceded 6

24/25 - played 6, conceded 20 - they extended his contract after this season

23/24 - played 10, conceded 28 - they gave him a pro deal after this season

22/23 - played 8, conceded 19

TOTAL - played 26, conceded  73

 

He also made his international debut recently, lost 5-0 to Syria

 

Last season he spent a month on loan in the 8th tier, made 2 appearances, conceding 6 goals in the process

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2024-2025/northern-premier-league-west-division/mossley/city-of-liverpool/503500

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2024-2025/northern-premier-league-west-division/hednesford-town/city-of-liverpool/503830

 

I genuinely have no idea how he was given a pro deal, then an extension, and do not understand why he keeps getting games ahead of Honor who looks a far better bet at U21 level

Edited 11 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

Another entertaining goal fest for the youngsters but this time in our favour. We took an early lead with a deft Joseph header but the cross from Houghton was terrific. Two lapses in concentration allowed Watford to take the lead but we equalised on the stroke of half-time with a smart finish from Doherty.

The second half was real end to end and both sides had chances but once again Joseph found himself in the right position for a tap in after excellent work from Doherty. We then sat in and went to a back five to try and hold out and Khan had to be alert to make a couple of smart stops.

We countered really well though and the fourth goal came from one of these as Farkas got free and scored with a smart dink over the keeper.

This was probably the quickest game I have seen this season as both teams played with intensity and a high tempo. It took it's toll on Joseph and Tyjon who, after a tough game on Friday were fatigued.

There were several impressive performances but once again Joseph took the eye. He just keeps on improving and I honestly think he could offer more that Gueye off the bench. He is big, strong, holds the ball up well, wins headers and finds space in the penalty area. The only real similarity is they both get caught offside too often.

Good to see Garrett get half a game too. Hopefully he can now stay fit and fulfil the potential we saw in him be it at Rovers or another club.

Edit:

I forget to mention that although we were across the pitch from Vignal we could hear him and he never stood still all night. The players seemed to respond to this and I was told he has impressed them in the short time he has been here.

Edited 11 hours ago by arbitro

[KentExile]

50 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Another entertaining goal fest for the youngsters but this time in our favour. We took an early lead with a deft Joseph header but the cross from Houghton was terrific. Two lapses in concentration allowed Watford to take the lead but we equalised on the stroke of half-time with a smart finish from Doherty.

The second half was real end to end and both sides had chances but once again Joseph found himself in the right position for a tap in after excellent work from Doherty. We then sat in and went to a back five to try and hold out and Khan had to be alert to make a couple of smart stops.

We countered really well though and the fourth goal came from one of these as Farkas got free and scored with a smart dink over the keeper.

This was probably the quickest game I have seen this season as both teams played with intensity and a high tempo. It took it's toll on Joseph and Tyjon who, after a tough game on Friday were fatigued.

There were several impressive performances but once again Joseph took the eye. He just keeps on improving and I honestly think he could offer more that Gueye off the bench. He is big, strong, holds the ball up well, wins headers and finds space in the penalty area. The only real similarity is they both get caught offside too often.

Good to see Garrett get half a game too. Hopefully he can now stay fit and fulfil the potential we saw in him be it at Rovers or another club.

Edit:

I forget to mention that although we were across the pitch from Vignal we could hear him and he never stood still all night. The players seemed to respond to this and I was told he has impressed them in the short time he has been here.

Thanks as always for the report 🙂

What are your thoughts on Farkas & Khan? 

Farkas has struggled for game time at a couple of non league loans now, is it a physicality thing rather than ability?.   He signed for us (leaving Liverpool) as Liverpool were not prepared to play him centrally, and saw him as a wide player, does he have a future centrally or is he too lightweight?

Am I being too hard on Khan?  I've seen him a few times and shots seem to go through him with alarming regularity, and the stats do not make good reading for him either

 

Edited 10 hours ago by KentExile

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

Khan record for Rovers U21 & U18

This season - played 2, conceded 6

24/25 - played 6, conceded 20 - they extended his contract after this season

23/24 - played 10, conceded 28 - they gave him a pro deal after this season

22/23 - played 8, conceded 19

TOTAL - played 26, conceded  73

 

He also made his international debut recently, lost 5-0 to Syria

 

Last season he spent a month on loan in the 8th tier, made 2 appearances, conceding 6 goals in the process

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2024-2025/northern-premier-league-west-division/mossley/city-of-liverpool/503500

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2024-2025/northern-premier-league-west-division/hednesford-town/city-of-liverpool/503830

 

I genuinely have no idea how he was given a pro deal, then an extension, and do not understand why he keeps getting games ahead of Honor who looks a far better bet at U21 level

I have an inkling...

[arbitro]

3 hours ago, KentExile said:

Thanks as always for the report 🙂

What are your thoughts on Farkas & Khan? 

Farkas has struggled for game time at a couple of non league loans now, is it a physicality thing rather than ability?.   He signed for us (leaving Liverpool) as Liverpool were not prepared to play him centrally, and saw him as a wide player, does he have a future centrally or is he too lightweight?

Am I being too hard on Khan?  I've seen him a few times and shots seem to go through him with alarming regularity, and the stats do not make good reading for him either

 

Farkas was good last night but his appearances seem to be sporadic and I haven't seen enough to of him to make a proper judgement. He coped with the intensity and physicality well last night and possibly needs a good run of games. As I have said before some loans don't work out and are of no benefit to either the player or Rovers.

Khan did well last night and I was surprised to see him starting after his shocker against Derby. I expected Honour to start but as Khan was the third goalkeeper at Portsmouth perhaps he is injured.

I would let him go as soon as possible personally as Wolstencroft will be looking to kick on next season. He has too many mistakes in him and he is 20 now.