Wolves Academy Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

We were in too much trouble recently to put our faith in the likes of Bright playing regularly, as he has showed almost zero end product. He's had his chance and hasn't shown enough. The likes of Ronan, MGW and the other lads like Ennis and Wilson still deserve more games to assess them properly.


Now we're virtually safe then fair enough Bright could play more, but he needs regular games IMO to develop and I don't believe he's currently good enough for us. Not yet anyway. And Fosun don't seem like the kind of people to just put their trust in borderline good enough youngsters to get us promoted.

We're not on about now though, we're on about the end of last season. I think we were mathematically safe after we beat McDons. Six games to play after that, Ken said he'd play the youth when we were secure, then he did it in a really token way. Gave Deslandes (who is not good enough) a couple of games, a couple of sub appearances for Hunte, as I say played Bright wildly out of position in one game and didn't bother again. He even brought Alfie on against Sheff Wed on the final day, when we were 2-0 up and he knew he was going to release him the very next day.

Bright wouldn't play right now (if he's even fit - I'm not sure he is) because we need to bed Ivan into that #10 role ideally. No-one would suggest playing kids for the sake of it but this lot have got some very good results this year, there is some real talent there and they need to be given a go; when better than when we have virtually nothing to play for? We aren't going to get relegated now even if it isn't 100% mathematically certain.

Ronan is already above "assessment" level for me, he'll make it at this level at the very least, fitness permitting. Serious baller. MGW not far behind.

Loaning players out is massively overrated and a huge trope among football fans - what on earth would we gain from loaning say, Dicko or Price out as I've seen mooted in the last week or so - but Bright really does need to go out. Can't develop any further at U23 level, probably isn't going to get the required number of games here next season but has enough talent that we shouldn't just look to be cutting him loose. It's a one shot thing though, when they go down the Vokes/Ismail route of endlessly going out then no good ever comes of it.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Went tonight. Wilson looks every bit ready for a first team spot - pacy, strong, eye for a pass and two excellent finishes. Graham looked lively for 20 or so minutes, including one very naughty drag back/nutmeg then faded as the half wore on. Zyro was a little quieter save for one rasping drive. Ennis had a lovely 20 minute cameo, who looks to have bulked up, after coming on for the Duck who really isn't anywhere near good enough for us. Good physique but he's a mid to low table L1 player at best. Mix up between Hayden and Burgoyne for the Norwich goal, Sellars was absolutely berating Hayden for not dealing with it. Silvio completed 90 mins and after a shaky start had a very strong second half - as he should at this level.

Interestingly, when defending corners we left three men up the field - Wilson, the Duck and Graham. When defending free kicks from in and around the box we set a ridiculously high line which Norwich seemed baffled as to how to deliver the ball against it.

Top stuff man.

Ennis has had a ridiculous growth spurt in the last few months.

 

[LG Wolf]

A team made up of academy products, admittedly we poached a few of them from other clubs, but looks damn exciting to me:

------Burgoyne/Ruddy--------

Iorfa--Batth--Hause--Breslin

-----Ronan-Herc-MGW-------

------------Bright-------------

--------Ennis--Wilson---------

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

How was Breslin? I've been impressed every time I've seen him but I know GFFH (who has seen more than I have) isn't keen.

I'm probably skewed by wanting absolutely anyone at LB in the first team than the fucking dork we have there at the moment

 

[LG Wolf]

How was Breslin? I've been impressed every time I've seen him but I know GFFH (who has seen more than I have) isn't keen.

I'm probably skewed by wanting absolutely anyone at LB in the first team than the $#@!ing dork we have there at the moment

Fine and tidy without necessarily catching the eye. Linked well with Graham first half and isn't afraid to put his foot in. Got turned a couple of times as Norwich went over the top to utilise their pace. Slightly on the small side for my liking, but wouldn't be averse to throwing him in at the deep end should Gloves get injured by dropping his dinner on his foot.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yeah, I think that pretty much tallies with what I've seen. Just nice to see someone there who has a left foot and vaguely understands where to stand. It's been a while.

Thanks again for the report, much appreciated. I wish we played more reserve games at Molineux.

 

[AndyWolves]

I'm sure it's been talked about before but streaming these games would be ace

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

 

[GoldFlagFlyingHigh]

Breslin was about a 7 out of 10 last night, his most solid game of the season. Been very poor in the last few months though. We were stood behind Sellars at Sutton the other week, who was on at him for the whole game.
Can't be long before Wilson gets a go in a league game, sheer pace and hits the target 95% of the time. Adding more aggression to his game now, coming on leaps and bounds. Ennis was also good when coming on last night, more natural with his back to goal than Wilson, but Donovan is just so explosive!
I'm surprised more people don't go and watch this group, they are a big part of the club now and its proper entertainment for a true football fan.

 

[Lord Knows]

GOAL Fulham U23s 0 Wolves U23s 2

Herc, 25 yarder.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Won 4-1. Armstrong, Herc, Wilson, Johnson.

West Ham (H) in the playoff semi and it's at Molineux - hopefully we get a decent turnout. I'll be there.

 

[Lord Knows]

Full Time
Fulham U23s 1 Wolves U23 4
Dan Armstrong, Christian Herc, Donovan Wilson, Connnor Johnson.

 

[Carrotdude]

Won 4-1. Armstrong, Herc, Wilson, Johnson.

West Ham (H) in the playoff semi and it's at Molineux - hopefully we get a decent turnout. I'll be there.

I imagine it'll be more fun than pretty much every first team home game this season

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I'll be fair and say we haven't had *that* many borefests this season. Saturday was only our second 0-0 at home for instance. Reading, Brentford, Fulham, Bristol City, Cardiff...they were all pretty decent games. It's been way better than last season for that, now that really was tough to watch. Not good by any stretch but not necessarily dull.

But always good to see the U23s, as I've said a couple of times I wish we played all the games at Molineux. Telford is such a pain in the arse if you don't drive.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

 

[darlowolf64]

Was that Ruddy in goal? It's good to see a keeper who doesn't kick the ball like he has a toblerone shaped foot. He also can pass it short and quickly and communicates with the defence...How refreshing

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yep, it's Ruddy.

 

[darlowolf64]

Yep, it's Ruddy.

I'd be fast-tracking him in preseason to see how he handles himself as he looks promising

 

[Kenny]

I'd be fast-tracking him in preseason to see how he handles himself as he looks promising

If he hadn't spent most of the season injured he would have played for the 1st team by now

 

[Johnny75]

That's a quality pass by Wilson for the first goal. But that's some ropey keeping for the others bar the penalty save. I don't see what we would lose by playing Wilson and Ennis up front for the Derby game and giving Dicko and Bod the rest of the season off.