briansol

I think the math is quite simple. The talk is Souttar joining in the summer, when Van Hecke is going back to Brighton and Lenihan is out of contract. That basicly leaves us with Ayala and Wharton as senior pros. Which is very light considering playing three at the back. Even if Lenihan stays, we are probably two centre light. Carter needs at least another loan to be ready for regular Championship games. Phillips is only 16, massive talent and will get chances.

He's someone who would greatly benefit from going out on loan and get game time. Too old to play U23, and doesn't really look motivated when he plays there either. There is potential there, but the decision making needs to improve. Moving away on loan, getting some stick from senior players for not passing the ball would do him a world of good. A loan is probably depending on us getting in some new players, as attacking-wise we're quite thin on the bench.

You are very much spot on regarding the formation which we have played over the last few games. On paper it's 5-3-2, but it's flexible. It's very much a formation that is setup for counter attacks. Defensively Ben and Khadra will operate at wide forwards, helping out the full-backs while Buckley will often be the first man to press centrally. When we win back possession, Breo and Khadra will attack the gaps/channels between the full-back and centre-half. Bucko excels in this role. He'll win possession defensively while being able to pick a pass to the advancing wide forwards. Defensively the formation helps us greatly, defence is almost never exposed as much of our attacks happens on the break, and with three centre-halfs there is less risk of of them being exposed on pace behind. It's very much a reverse from last season, when we tried to play a possession game with a high defensive line. Now we are playing like the teams we struggled the most against. A bit of credit to Mowbray for being pragmatic and maximizing the players at his disposal. A bit similar to the League One season, when he changed and went more direct with Graham as focal point and Dack picking up the pieces. However I wonder how Dack can fit in this formation? Probably the Bucko role, but he really need his match fitness to be effective.

Very much agree on most points, though I don't Butterworth can play the Rothwell role. He is a forward by trade, and I don't think he can easily step into a midfield role. He has some great qualities, but missed a couple of years development/maturing through a couple of serious injuries. He desperately need a loan to with regular playing time, with a manager and some senior players that will put some demand on him. You don't want to remove his swagger, but he needs to mature into a team player.

I think it's fair to say that he's not currently looking like someone who will step up to Championship level for the next couple of seasons. Restarting his career somewhere else would probably be good for both parties. He might spend a few years bulking up and getting experience down the leagues and make his way up again. Matty Platt is one example. For Rovers it makes more sense to free up his place with the younger generation coming through. Sam Barnes will return from injury, Phillips will anyway be fast tracked. There is also a couple of decent prospect for the U18 who needs chances at U23 level next season. I expect Magloire, Annesly, Saaidi all to move on. They can all make a career, but probably better to restart on another level.

Agree that it's hard to see him make it at this level. He looks at times like a midfielder being forced to play as a centre-back. His passing is better than his defensive qualities. Think he plays as a defensive midfielder for Gibraltar as well. Given his age and younger prospects on their way, he's probably on his way in the summer.

I have to agree that Yesterday's match was very poor by Rovers, esp considering the seniors players involved. Liverpool is not a great team at this level, and only one of their starting players had actually scored a U23 goal this season. They were far better organized, much more energy and played with a lot more pace. Far too many of the Rovers players treated it as a fitness exercise and it showed with a lot of sloppy involvements. Carter, Costello and Butterworth were really poor. Wharton and Davenport at least looked better in second half. McBride was totally invisible and looks completely void of confidence. Rovers improved with the introduction of Brennan and young Leonard who was able to ruffle the big centre half of Liverpool a bit. A lucky 2-2 draw as the penalty was very soft.

Their left back is Tony Gallagher, who is 22. Played senior football for Falkirk when very young before Liverpool snapped up a few years ago. One of many who won't make it at a top club, but good enough to restart down the league or Scotland. Problem for many of those players are that they stick around too long at top clubs playing U23 football.

That was Saidi. Awful first half with a lot of first team players not looking up for it. Garrett probably the only one looking decent, although he's already on a yellow for another for his trademark rash tackles.

I think that's a fair comment. There has been couple who seemed to have an agenda against him, but mostly people have recognized that he had some ability but question mark about being able to handle the physicality. Personally I've been a massive fan since his U23 days where he was dominating match after match, but I also thought he struggled more with the transition to senior football than I expected.

I understand your point, but there are some nuances to it. - The team that did so well last term was better as a team than individuals. It was also a team with a lot of players fresh from U18 football that adjusted well to U23 like Cirino, Pike, Whitehall, Garrett and Burns to name some. All have potential but there is a big gap to senior football and especially Championship level. Most of them will benefit from half a season more playing U23 and going out on loan. - The biggest problem this summer was that the club couldn't release players on loan because the senior squad was so low on numbers. That's why Vale and Pike went to non-league, because the transfer window was closed. Both are good enough for league football. The academy has brought through a fair number of players the latest years like Raya, Nyambe, Lenihan, JRC, Travis, Buckley, Wharton, Carter. Their transfer value should probably be equal and more than the running cost of the academy. There are also players like Vale, Butterworth and McBride who has some potential down the line, either at this club or through a transfer fee/sell-on clause. Biggest asset at the academy at the moment is probably Ash Phillips who looks destined to become a multi-million player in the future.

Pretty much spot review from watching the game on Leeds TV. Burns continues to impress, probably been the best player so far. Two excellent finishes suggest he is improving in front of goal, which probably has been the only critique so far. Ferguson looks like the best of the new bunch. The worry is that the team is leaking goals, very few seems to have the ability to sniff danger. They get hit on the counter multiple times every game. Without Whitehall and Barnes there seems to be a lack of leaders which is needed in such a young team. For me Annesly is not good enough for a centre-back. He is more comfortable on the ball than his defensive duties, which is probably why he plays midfield for Gibraltar. Bradley Johnson got his minutes without really affecting the game other then being responsible for giving a goal away. Probably not fair to compare this version to last year. So far it's been a lot younger and experienced side due to injuries and many players being part of the senior match squad.

Looks like the Brighton game is streamed live on Youtube for those interested:

10 goals, fast and nutmegs? Yes, I would like to order that. Nice confidence.

Injured. Him and Barnes. Mentioned by commentator last U23 game. Don't know for how long.

Based on Mowbray's comments Gally will continue as Striker, which make Lowe right winger, which really is.

You're probably correct. I think we're lucky if we get one player a year who become an established Championship player. Some might get there debut and then never kick on. Some might turn pro and carve out a career in the lower leagues, like Matty Pearson. Watching a bit of U23 over the last years, it's hard to tell who will make it. The only one I was certain of was Buckley would have a decent career. Hayden Carter's progress surprised me because he was dependable, but no standout, also playing several positions for the U23. Of the current squad, I'm certain that Pike will at least be a decent League One right-back. Garrett continues to progress, he looks like someone who can make it for the first team. Biggest star potential is Ash Phillips at barely 16. Should be a PL footballer if he doesn't become another Robbie Cotton, or get hit by severe injuries. Several has potential to at least become pro's: Cirino, Whitehall, Burns, Barnes etc.

I've never claimed otherwise. Just comparing U23 vs the opposition they're playing, which is mostly PL clubs who spends million poaching young talent around the world. Have on multiple times highlighted the gap between this level and senior football. It's boys football that is quick and technical, while there is barely a tackle and rarely a 6ft striker. The physical part of the game can't be learned here, so they really need to go on loan to be ready. It's also quite easy to see when players have outgrown the level and needs senior football. Buckley, JRC, Magloire found it too easy in the end. Pike, McBride and probably Vale needs to go on loan to not stagnate. Garrett's looking ready, but might need half a season to fill out and wise up some of his tackling.

The U23 would be dissapointed not to win last night. Should've scored at least 3-4 goals, but wasteful finishing let them down. Leicester scored a worldie of a long-range shot. Lined up in 4-2-1-3 formation. Ranking-Costello was giving 45 min as right-back while Pike was shifted to left. Young Gamble came in for his debut as a centre-back and didn't look out of place. No word on why Ash Phillips was involved, but could be managing his game load. Commentator mentioned that Barnes and Whitehall is injured, and that's why they haven't been involved so far this season. Rankin-Costello came through fine, showing some excellent deliveries and great in possesion. Looked like a grown man playing with kids at time, although you could see he was a bit rusty. Burns was excellent in the first half with his usual all-action display. Scored an excellent goal rounding the keeper, but probably should've had a hattrick. His only downside is that he is not clinical enough. Also agree with Garrett. So calm in possession, great vision and excellent tackling. You can see why the club rewarded him with a 3-year deal, while most of the others got a 2 year deal in the summer. He's a great tackler, but needs to learn to when to apply the right amount of force. Had an over-the-top tackle on a winger going nowhere, which resulted in a yellow, but I've seen red given at this level for similar tackles. McBride played behind the striker, but never got involved. Was subsistuted for Gilsenan, who was excellent when he came on. Will be exciting to see if can step-up, because U23 haven't had a proper attacking midfielder for some time. Vale has looked a bit out-of-sorts this season and maybe lacks confidence. Yesterday was no different, a few good involvements, but lacked edge and turned over possession multiple times. Brennan set-up the goal and looked okay going foward. However he continues to struggle with defensive side shying out of headers and never tackles. The transition from U18 where he could just get on the ball to the more physical side seems to be a bit of struggle for him. George Gent came in at half-time at left-back and did fine again. Another U18 who looks to have something about him. Very good delivery with his left foot and often takes set-pieces. All-in-all the U23 hasn't had the results they deserve. But they continue to play good football and dominating matches against PL oppositions.

Thanks for a great reply, for which I very much agree with you conclusion.

I think most agree on principle. In reality it's a lot harder. Bauer - I think we were in, but he partially went to Preston because Mowbray wouldn't promise him a starting spot. Looks poorly handled considering we chased him for a long time. Walton - Agree, you think decent keepers would've been available. An area where I think the gap between League one and Championship is not that great. We used the Raya money towards Gallagher. Walton was not the first option, I think we were close to bringing in Martinez from Arsenal(now Villa) on loan, which could've been a totally different animal Douglas and Trybull however I think was decent on paper. Douglas looked like a coup, but ended up as dud. Trybull was a decent enough squad player, with a good pedigree from Championship and PL experience, also paid very little of his wages. Also Pickering had only had a decent season in League 2 at that time, so I think he was not on the radar. There are some diamonds in League One, but most fails. Amari Bell was rated one of the best in division which tells you something about the level. You'd find better and cheaper options abroad, but that requires scouting and know-how which has been lacking. Braithwaite was just a stop-gap loan. The club hedged with bringing in Harwood-Bellis well. You'll find that League One clubs are reluctant to loan-to-buy deals. They prefer to sell, esp if there best players. This was also in January where prices would be at a premium. Wharton and Ayala was injured but would return, so not sure if a permanent buy would make sense at that time.

Never seen him, but sounds like a Rhodes type of player: " “Luke doesn’t get in any races with defenders does he, because he knows he just lacks that yard of pace. “But when the ball gets played into him it sticks and he just pops it off without complicating things and he gets in the box." Also signed a two-year contract this summer, so won't be cheap.

Thought he was more a winger. Shola Shoretire might fit the bill. Queue on those two would be Long though..

Not only he is 16, he just turned 16 at the end of June!

He was great for the U18, signed a new contract when big clubs were sniffing, and also made is debut. But he hasn't really kicked on since. While a lot of that U18 batch has really taken to U23 level like Cirino, Pike, Burns, Garrett, Whiltehall, it seems that he has struggled more. Going to be 20 this year and I'm not sure he going to make it here. Is getting to an age where he needs to prove himself either at U23 level or on loan. This will probably the season for him to do it. If McBride or Vale goes on loan (both have outgrown U23), he might get a chance to do it.