Reserve Team

[molonyg]

Anyone watching the reserves this season either on LFCTV or going to the games. Have been very impressed by San Jose, he looks pretty impressive in the games I've seen and stands a good chance of progressing into the first team squad.Also impressed by Insua and reckon these 2 are the best prospects. Who do you think will progress from the reserves??

[Jayesh87]

Lucas

[molonyg]

Lucas

Yeah agree, was thinking he was more of a first team squad member already but he has played a few games for the reserves

[Shanks]

Jay Spearing (possibly)
Ray Putterill
Ryan Flynn
Craig Lindfield
Stephen Darby
David Martin
Nabil El Zhar (had high hopes)
Robbie Threlfall
Jack Hobbs
Emiliano Insua
Adam Hammill
Besian Idrizaj
Lee Peltier
Francisco Duran
Nikolay Mihaylov
Andras Simon
Martin Kelly
Dean Bouzanis
Damien Plessis
Mikel San Jose
Jordy Brouwer (possibly)
Ryan Crowther
Peter Gulacsi
Krisztian Nemeth
Martin Hansen
Ronald Huth
James Smith
Miki Roque


Don't really know much about the others as i've only seen a couple of games.
Can't see any of the lads out on loan coming back in to make a difference though.
Shame really.
I think all of these lads need more competitive games on a regular basis.


Next game is Thursday night by the way,
against Newcastle at Warrington for anyone interested.

[Morph]

Next game is Thursday night by the way,
against Newcastle at Warrington for anyone interested.

The possible return of harry Kewell

[Morph]

Jay Spearing
Ray Putterill
Emiliano Insua
Francisco Duran
Mikel San Jose

These are the lads that have impressed me, although Duran has been out for a while, what i've seen of him looked good, they have high hopes for him.

Obviously there's other like Leto and Lucas but these seem closer to the first team anyway now. There are some under 18's who look decent as well, but we're only talkin bout ressies

[Joe King]

Not seen much of Duran but I agree with the list Morph. I would have add Jack Hobbs, he has been forming quite the partnership with San Jose and he is the captain.

The strikers in the Academy look quite decent, really quick. Just need to physically build themselves up but they have time for that. Eccelston (sp?), Pourie.

[Woobus]

Hammill was playing great in Scotland last year, any reports how he is getting on in Southampton?

[carheex]

From what I've seen of Hobbs, including 1 or 2 1st team appearances last year, he looks absolutely dreadful. In this day and age the top clubs can't wait for a player to mature and can't risk weakening the team by including them so they can get experience. We need to be concentrating on buying in proven talent that will make an immediate difference.

[dww]

From what I've seen of Hobbs, including 1 or 2 1st team appearances last year, he looks absolutely dreadful. In this day and age the top clubs can't wait for a player to mature and can't risk weakening the team by including them so they can get experience. We need to be concentrating on buying in proven talent that will make an immediate difference.

I'm not sure that that is entirely true - we have the league cup and the loan system to get players experience. It is perfectly possible for Arsenal to bring younger players of a variety of standards into the first team and be a good side (for example neither Hoyte or Gilbert are great players, or Song or Diaby when he first went there) it is a case of judging the timing and the situation if you ask me. There is obviously no point in playing young players just to prove a point.

I think a large part of our reserve/youth project has to be the aim to produce a number of players like Arbeloa who have sound technique and can adapt easily to the systems that Rafa (or in the future potentially another manager) uses. There is always the hope that we will unearth the odd gem but I think it has to be expected that most outstanding players will always be bought in.

[carheex]

I'm not sure that that is entirely true - we have the league cup and the loan system to get players experience. It is perfectly possible for Arsenal to bring younger players of a variety of standards into the first team and be a good side (for example neither Hoyte or Gilbert are great players, or Song or Diaby when he first went there) it is a case of judging the timing and the situation if you ask me. There is obviously no point in playing young players just to prove a point.

I think a large part of our reserve/youth project has to be the aim to produce a number of players like Arbeloa who have sound technique and can adapt easily to the systems that Rafa (or in the future potentially another manager) uses. There is always the hope that we will unearth the odd gem but I think it has to be expected that most outstanding players will always be bought in.

It just makes me wonder...how much do we spend on youth players, "potential" stars, reserves/youths wages and transfers etc etc and what do we get out of it? I'm sure the money could be spent more wisely in a way that would strengthen the first team immediately as opposed to gambling part of our transfer kitty on players that, as the stats show, will probably never make it and get released in a few years time.

[dww]

It just makes me wonder...how much do we spend on youth players, "potential" stars, reserves/youths wages and transfers etc etc and what do we get out of it? I'm sure the money could be spent more wisely in a way that would strengthen the first team immediately as opposed to gambling part of our transfer kitty on players that, as the stats show, will probably never make it and get released in a few years time.

I can see your point but a lot of the deals when it comes out in teh wash are worth little money until the player performs at first team level, so I think it is reasonable as the manager has to look out for the club long term aswell as in the immediate future. I think that having better young players/reserves sets a higher standard which helps teh players in those squads improve - the better the team the more chance of individual improvement (assuming some level of competition) at youth level IMO.

Also I think it is worth looking at Arsenal - not from the point of view of players getting into the first team as a/ there team started as league challengers and b/ most of those that do make it cost a lot of money but in terms of revenue generated. For example they have sold a number of players like that Quincy chap for around £1m and in the end got a £7m(ish) return on Pennant (£3.5m + 50% of the fee we paid apparently). So if you can develop players of a decent standard then hopefully the youth program should pay for itself.

[red g]

I can see your point but a lot of the deals when it comes out in teh wash are worth little money until the player performs at first team level, so I think it is reasonable as the manager has to look out for the club long term aswell as in the immediate future. I think that having better young players/reserves sets a higher standard which helps teh players in those squads improve - the better the team the more chance of individual improvement (assuming some level of competition) at youth level IMO.

Also I think it is worth looking at Arsenal - not from the point of view of players getting into the first team as a/ there team started as league challengers and b/ most of those that do make it cost a lot of money but in terms of revenue generated. For example they have sold a number of players like that Quincy chap for around £1m and in the end got a £7m(ish) return on Pennant (£3.5m + 50% of the fee we paid apparently). So if you can develop players of a decent standard then hopefully the youth program should pay for itself.

look at anthony stokes.....sunderland paid 2million for him!

[Imy]

The thing about the players at that level is that they should be busting a gut to make it in to the first team, continuously improving until Rafa can no longer ignore them.

I think attitude/culture at this level needs to change at Liverpool.

[dww]

The thing about the players at that level is that they should be busting a gut to make it in to the first team, continuously improving until Rafa can no longer ignore them.

I think attitude/culture at this level needs to change at Liverpool.

Do we know that isn't happening?

Although it appears Rafa thought something along teh same lines in terms of teh younger players as he completely overhauled the academy in the summer.