Huddersfield Town Youth and Development Thread

[ritchie]

Sept 10, 2013 17:13:47 GMT 1 Five Lamps said:

A dominant performance from Town.

Dixon wasn't strong enough against Betra, outmuscled for his goal, but for he rest of the game he looked fairly solid, and looked great going forward. Burke and Wallace played well at the back, and I'm particularly impressed by Smith, who played tidily and played some good balls forward. In the first half we passed it around well but our play in the final third was poor – we couldn't play balls into the right areas, and never weighted passes correctly, leaving our strikers a bit . Southern played well, and kept things ticking in the middle of the park, doing the basics and mopping up. Crooks and Holmes tried to run through the Wednesday players but couldn't always play the right ball, and Holmes and Hopson couldn't always take it around their big lads, but when we played patiently, we kept possession very well.

Cristian poached both of his goals well (I presumed him second was offside, but the linesman knows best!). I prefer Carr as an all-round striker – he looks stronger, gets himself about much better, looking to run into space, and also getting to balls well before the defender. In the second half, we looked to break them down better in the final third, and we took control of that. It was a relief to see the three quickfire second half goals go in because we really deserved something from the game.

Sheffield Wednesday didn't really pose much threat, if any at all. The only lad who looked like doing something, Charlie Dawes (no. 11), was taken off at half time! On one occasion, Allinson pulled off a quick Smithies-esque save from a powerful header, and palmed away a few other efforts.

All in all, a good all round performance against a poor side.

quite interested in how these two are doing. heard good things about both and seem like they would fit well together.

[Terrier Ramone]

I watched the game today too, it was a very comfortable game for us, once we had tightened up at the back after the first 20 mins. I actually feel Lopez is a very intelligent footballer, having seen him a couple of pre-season friendlies & now today, he makes some very intelligent runs & has the knack of being in the right place at the right time. unfortunately, he does need to be stronger but I would be hoping that by now our players would be aware of the darting runs he is trying to make.

Carr has talent too & good pace, however IMO he doesn't read the game as well as Lopez, but there is every chance that he can be coached this. I feel both strikers have a better future at Town than Spencer for instance.

Holmes was the big disappointment for me, having seen him a few times before I was really looking forward to seeing him but it wasn't his day, though he kept on trying. While he was easy to knock off the ball, he does have that rare ability of seeming to glide along the ground while running with the ball - he is definitely one for the future but is c urrently lightweight.

Keef struggled initially, as you would expect after a long lay off, but got much better. Both Wallace & Dixon started really slowly but both got stronger as the game went on. I, too, liked Smith, who looked comfortable in a couple of positions. Crooks was ok, got himself into a cuple of good positions but let himself down a bit with the final ball - I actually think we would have won even more easily if better final balls had been played in.

Overall, I thought it was quite a commanding performance, without ever really getting into top gear, which must be a good sign. Wednesday were pretty poor really, though i agree their No11 was their best player but they took him off at HT. Also liked their No9 who looked strong, but overall they were playing to the strengths of their current 1st team, with some players looking more suitable for basketball rather than football.

I like the way Eyre has them playing, even when they went behind I texted a friend that i was confident we would win easily, they still played the same way & didn't let their heads drop. The only thing I thought slightly strange was that we played 442, I know the first team is capable of switching but I just expected all the teams to start the same 352 formation.

It's the first U21 game I have seen but on that performance it is far more worthwhile than what the old reserve matches used to be - more competetitive & more reminiscent of 1st team games

[bigfatmonkey]

Is it just me who sees more in Tom Smith than in Murray Wallace? Whenever I've seen either play Smith looks much more ready for being around the first team in my opinion. Also what has happened to Ridehalgh? Doesn't seem to be on loan anywhere but doesn't seem to be playing for u-21s either.

[ritchie]

Sept 11, 2013 23:59:11 GMT 1 bigfatmonkey said:

Is it just me who sees more in Tom Smith than in Murray Wallace? Whenever I've seen either play Smith looks much more ready for being around the first team in my opinion. Also what has happened to Ridehalgh? Doesn't seem to be on loan anywhere but doesn't seem to be playing for u-21s either.

going to tranmere so i'v heard

[Carl2291]

U18s beat Wednesday away... 5-2 today.

Jake Charles hattrick
Atkinson with one
Flo Bojaj eith the other

Ive never heard of Flo Bojaj.

www.htafc.com/news/article/academy-news-sheff-wed-u18-mr-2013-1052625.aspx

100% record so far this season.

[Sio]

Sept 14, 2013 12:53:02 GMT 1 Carl2291 said:

U18s beat Wednesday away... 5-2 today.

Jake Charles hattrick
Atkinson with one
Flo Bojaj eith the other

Ive never heard of Flo Bojaj.

www.htafc.com/news/article/academy-news-sheff-wed-u18-mr-2013-1052625.aspx

100% record so far this season.

He sounds good. Get him in the first team.

[thenorwegianone]

Sept 14, 2013 12:53:02 GMT 1 Carl2291 said:

U18s beat Wednesday away... 5-2 today.

Jake Charles hattrick
Atkinson with one
Flo Bojaj eith the other

Ive never heard of Flo Bojaj.

www.htafc.com/news/article/academy-news-sheff-wed-u18-mr-2013-1052625.aspx

100% record so far this season.

Bojaj is a new acquisition from this summer. Striker. Great to see him get his first goal.

[ritchie]

another good result. i imagine this team (especially charles) is getting a few glances.

early days and a lot can happen this season, but he might make the decision to release ward come the end of the season an easy one.

[Deleted]

Sept 10, 2013 15:06:14 GMT 1 chutney said:

Question to anyone that has watched the last couple of u21 games... how far off the first team would you say Lopez is? can see hes scoring but that doesn't always tell the full tale.

I arrived at the stadium in time to see the warm up on Saturday.Steve Eyre was taking a few players for a finishing drill with Lloyd Allinson in goal.The player I took to be Lopez was very impressive.His finishing looked to be the best of the group that included the likes of Vaughan,Stead and Clayton.

[Five Lamps]

Town's second round U21 Premier League Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday will be played in Bury (!), at Gigg Lane.

Clibbens: “We have been unable to secure use of the John Smith’s Stadium pitch and so the Club is very grateful to everyone at Bury FC for allowing us use of Gigg Lane to fulfil this fixture. The competition was unveiled at short notice, but it is an excellent new initiative and one the players and Club are looking forward to being a part of. Similarly the support of the Premier League and Sheffield Wednesday in allowing an alternative venue has been crucial.”

The game will be played on Wednesday 30^th October, 1pm kick off, admission will be £3 adults + £1 concessions.

Official article.

The next U21 league game will be away to Coventry (in Hinckley) on 4^th October.

[grist]

Sept 16, 2013 14:43:19 GMT 1 ritchie said:

another good result. i imagine this team (especially charles) is getting a few glances.

early days and a lot can happen this season, but he might make the decision to release ward come the end of the season an easy one.

I hope not. I am not alone in seeing Ward as a potentially great player for HTAFC, but there are so many people who do not see it the same way, the guy has no chance. A Confidence player that the crowd continually try to ruin. Pathetic in the extreme and completely inexcusable.

[humbug]

good luck to riders at tranmere

[Carl2291]

Another win for the U18s against Cardiff this time.

Bojaj and Billing with the goals in a 2-1 win. 5 wins in 5 now for the youngsters.

[ritchie]

TOWN U18s 2 CARDIFF 1

Bojaj and Billing net in another win

There were lots of positives for Town’s Under-18 side as they extended their 100% start to the season on Saturday morning at Canalside.

In the first of eight additional games against sides from the Professional Development League 2 South, Frankie Bunn and Tony Carss’ side defeated visitors Cardiff City 2-1 thanks to goals from striker Flo Bojaj and midfielder Philip Billing.

That now means that the young Terriers have won all five of their games in the PDL North so far this season.

With First Team Captain Peter Clarke and last night’s debutant Duane Holmes forming part of a healthy crowd at the training ground, both teams looked to play passing football in a fiercely contested encounter but Town had an element of power and pace that gave them the edge.

The first goal came just five minutes before the half-time interval. Tall Danish midfielder Billing caused Cardiff’s defence issues when trying to latch onto a high diagonal pass and the ball fell to Ben Holmes, who slid a cross to the back post for striker Bojaj to net his second Under-18 goal in what was his first start.

The second goal came courtesy of a 56th set piece after Under-16 midfielder Regan Booty had been fouled on the Town right. Up stepped Jake Charles to swing a beautiful delivery towards the back post and when centre back William Boyle managed to push the ball across goal amongst a crowd of players, Billing stepped forward to gleefully smash home his first competitive goal for Town from close range.

Cardiff gave themselves hope with a goal 11 minutes from time, but Town’s players showed great game management to retain possession and see out the game to claim all three points, with Billing and powerful under-16 striker Rekeil Pyke keeping possession brilliantly in the corners.

A final positive for the Under-18s was the return of second year midfielder Kedesh Goddard from injury.

Town’s team (4-4-1-1):
Ed Wilczynski; Mikey Starkey, William Boyle, Joe Wilkinson (c), Bradley Carroll (Danny Kane 74); Ben Holmes, Philip Billing, Ben Atkinson, Regan Booty (Kedesh Goddard 78); Jake Charles; Flo Bojaj (Rekeil Pyke 88)

Unused subs:
Sam Guthrie, Jack Boyle

[Terrier Ramone]

great news that all the club teams are doing so well, we sound to have good prospects at all levels

[Baby Ate My Eight Ball]

Has Charles been playing much for the under 21s yet? Wonder if he'll be ready for the first team next season....

[Deleted]

Jake Charles has just signed a contract extension.

[ritchie]

CHARLES EXTENDS TOWN DEAL

Under-18 attacker signs contract extension

Huddersfield Town Academy player Jake Charles has signed a contract extension with the Club until the summer of 2017, with the Club having the option of a further year.

The young attacker signed his first professional deal with Town earlier this year on the day of his 17th birthday, which was set to expire in 2014, having signed as a scholar in July 2012.

The Mirfield-based left footed player joined Town’s Academy at Under-11 level from Garforth Villa and has been capped by Wales at Under-17 level on five occasions.

As a first-year scholar, Jake made 29 appearances for Town’s U18 and U21 sides last year and scored four goals for Frankie Bunn’s and Tony Carss’ team as they reached the final of the Professional Development League.

Charles has already reached that goal tally this term for the U18s with just five games of the season played; he has also featured once from the bench for Town’s U21s this term.

“The Club has plenty of belief in its young players. It shows the Club’s confidence in Jake to offer him a new contract and he now has time to develop here as a young footballer,” Academy Manager Mark Lillis told htafc.com.

“Jake has set off this season really well, but he is still learning the game and he will continue to listen and develop. He is playing in the ‘number 10’ role at the moment, which he has adapted to really well and scored a few goals from, including a hat trick at Sheffield Wednesday.

“He is maturing as a person away from the football pitch and he has become a bit of a character, which is good. If and when he starts to step up to the U21s and First Team he will need to show his personality if he is to handle the environment.”

In recent weeks the likes of Duane Holmes, Daniel Carr and Tommy Smith have all made their First Team debuts and Lillis believes that it shows the current Academy players that there is a pathway, if they work hard and have the ability to perform.

“Seeing the lads make their debuts has given everyone a lot of belief within the Academy. Credit has to go the Manager and Steve Eyre; everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet. We know where we are going and the young players, like Jake, know that they can be a part of it, but they have got to keep working hard to develop to the required level.”

good news, looking forward to this lad coming through.

[betsvigi9]

Oct 2, 2013 17:40:09 GMT 1 ritchie said:

CHARLES EXTENDS TOWN DEAL

Under-18 attacker signs contract extension

Huddersfield Town Academy player Jake Charles has signed a contract extension with the Club until the summer of 2017, with the Club having the option of a further year.

The young attacker signed his first professional deal with Town earlier this year on the day of his 17th birthday, which was set to expire in 2014, having signed as a scholar in July 2012.

The Mirfield-based left footed player joined Town’s Academy at Under-11 level from Garforth Villa and has been capped by Wales at Under-17 level on five occasions.

As a first-year scholar, Jake made 29 appearances for Town’s U18 and U21 sides last year and scored four goals for Frankie Bunn’s and Tony Carss’ team as they reached the final of the Professional Development League.

Charles has already reached that goal tally this term for the U18s with just five games of the season played; he has also featured once from the bench for Town’s U21s this term.

“The Club has plenty of belief in its young players. It shows the Club’s confidence in Jake to offer him a new contract and he now has time to develop here as a young footballer,” Academy Manager Mark Lillis told htafc.com.

“Jake has set off this season really well, but he is still learning the game and he will continue to listen and develop. He is playing in the ‘number 10’ role at the moment, which he has adapted to really well and scored a few goals from, including a hat trick at Sheffield Wednesday.

“He is maturing as a person away from the football pitch and he has become a bit of a character, which is good. If and when he starts to step up to the U21s and First Team he will need to show his personality if he is to handle the environment.”

In recent weeks the likes of Duane Holmes, Daniel Carr and Tommy Smith have all made their First Team debuts and Lillis believes that it shows the current Academy players that there is a pathway, if they work hard and have the ability to perform.

“Seeing the lads make their debuts has given everyone a lot of belief within the Academy. Credit has to go the Manager and Steve Eyre; everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet. We know where we are going and the young players, like Jake, know that they can be a part of it, but they have got to keep working hard to develop to the required level.”

good news, looking forward to this lad coming through.

I don't recall Town ever giving a 17 year old a 4/5 year deal before. I have seen him play a couple of times this season and he looks absolute class and the club clearly think so as well. They seem to be trying to convert him from a winger into a stiker and he is certainly big enough to be one. It is great that he agreed to sign such a long deal for us, because I don't think it will be long before other clubs come sniffing round. Not ready for the first team yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the fringes next season.

[Sio]

Charles scores again, currently 1-0 to U18s at HT

[Deleted]

75 mins, Charles scores yet again. Town 2-0 Crewe.

[Deleted]

A minute later and it's 3-0, summer acquisition Flo Bojaj with a chip over the keeper. Superb start to the season for the Under 18s, 6 wins out of 6.

[Sio]

Oct 5, 2013 12:37:58 GMT 1 @stevros88 said:

A minute later and it's 3-0, summer acquisition Flo Bojaj with a chip over the keeper. Superb start to the season for the Under 18s, 6 wins out of 6.

Don't jinx it 

[Deleted]

Oct 5, 2013 12:41:33 GMT 1 Sio said:

Oct 5, 2013 12:37:58 GMT 1 @stevros88 said:

A minute later and it's 3-0, summer acquisition Flo Bojaj with a chip over the keeper. Superb start to the season for the Under 18s, 6 wins out of 6.

Don't jinx it 

Fingers crossed the old habits of the first team haven't rubbed off onto the Academy lads!

[Russlad]

Is there anywhere that I can see the U18 & U21 League Tables?

[Deleted]

Oct 9, 2013 11:38:25 GMT 1 Russlad said:

Is there anywhere that I can see the U18 & U21 League Tables?

www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/publications.html

U18 table up to and including September 28th (doesn't include the 3-0 home win v Cardiff on October 5th)



U21 table up to and including October 6th

[Russlad]

Great thanks!

[Russlad]

Great thanks!

[Sio]

Oct 9, 2013 13:24:16 GMT 1 @stevros88 said:

Oct 9, 2013 11:38:25 GMT 1 Russlad said:

Is there anywhere that I can see the U18 & U21 League Tables?

www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/publications.html

U18 table up to and including September 28th (doesn't include the 3-0 home win v Cardiff on October 5th)



U21 table up to and including October 6th

The future's bleak for Sheff Wednesday. Also seeing Barnsley at the top of u21's, you'd think if they've got a team capable of doing that they'd have 1 or 2 players who could be breaking into their first team considering their poor form this year.

[Deleted]

I was at two of Barnsley's 3 home games (3-0 v Leeds and 4-1 v Forest) and in both games the results flattered them.
The Leeds match was an even stalemate for the first 75 minutes until Barnsley hit 3 in quick succession, 2 of those coming from Jason Scotland.
First half v Forest they dominated but Forest's 10 men were better in the last 25 mins, only undone by 2 dubious penalties.