The 2019/20 season provided a clearly defined four; the first generation of young City talent hot off the Farke production line. Max Aarons, Todd Cantwell, Ben Godfrey, Jamal Lewis- the boyband. Fast forward two years and while there was disappointment evident at Deepdale, in the background, a second generation was forming.
On the pitch were Andrew Omobamidele and Bali Mumba, and on the bench Josh Martin.
There are certain parallels that can be drawn between this new generation and the last; Omobamidele is a physically imposing centre-back who is comfortable on the ball (Godfrey), Mumba was pinched from a lower league club at a young age (also Godfrey), and Martin, as current teammate Cantwell was, is a talented attacker who needs to bulk up more than anything.
For most, Preston away will be remembered as a frustrating point that should’ve been three, but for an 18-year-old Omobamidele it’ll be remembered as a truly significant occasion; a first senior start and a performance even better than he could have dreamed.
The Irishman showed composure beyond his years, not panicked by North End attackers that looked to take advantage of him or force him into a mistake. Not once was he tempted into a rushed punt up field, a get-out his partner Grant Hanley became prone to.
In defence he was solid, making block after block and marshalling the box very well. Despite finding an equaliser the Lilywhites created not a single chance on Omobamidele’s watch. The number 44 also struck the perfect balance in his post-match interview with official club channels, outlining his pride at being involved while remaining focused on the task at hand.
“I found out I was starting this afternoon and it was a great feeling because that’s why you come to the club, to progress through the ranks for moments like these,” he said. “I was over the moon but knew the job that needed to be done and had prepared all week in case I would start.”
And then there was Mumba. A refined and ready-made replacement for Aarons he is, as yet, not, but his technical ability is unquestionable, and his athleticism perfect for a Daniel Farke wing-back. The timing of his runs into the box is also a significant strength, arriving on loose balls for a golden opportunity and a decent penalty shout in an impressive first half.
Strong showings at Luton in the Carabao Cup and against Swansea at home prove Mumba’s consistency, and at 19 improvement is assured under Farke. Is he good enough to replace Aarons, already one of the club’s best full-backs of all time? That question remains unanswered, but with talk around Aarons’ exit growing as the transfer window draws closer, we may find out sooner rather than later.
Martin will be frustrated at his lack of involvement in recent weeks, but the competition he fought through to make a significant impact early in the season is much greater than that of his fellow young players. The ex-Arsenal man does battle with the likes of Cantwell, Emi Buendia, Kieran Dowell and Marco Stiepermann every week for a spot either on the bench or in the eleven, and managed to fight into the side at a crucial moment earlier in the season.
His equaliser in the Carrow Road win over Sheffield Wednesday was a vital turning point in the season, rescuing a winning run when it was at its most vulnerable, catalysing a consistent run from the Canaries for the first time in what was at that point a rollercoaster of a season.
The 19-year-old, much like Cantwell in 2018/19, may not quite be ready, but if he eventually does kick on, 2020/21 will be seen as the starting point.
Although a lot of Friday’s dropped points had that familiar ‘away point, let’s move on’ feel to it, it may well be that the most positive aspects of that game have significant long-term effects, with Andrew Omobamidele at the forefront.
Could not agree more with you, Samuel. If we are able to get a couple of Academy graduates each year that are capable of first team football with Norwich then the future is rosey and the financial sustainability of the club looks good too. Long may the production line keep rolling.
Hi Colin
Your point about the *production line* is a pertinent one.
We have to consider that if a couple or three come through every season that is a very high success rate in real terms.
Even now we can see there are a few recent buy-ins plus youngsters in our own academy who look unlikely to break through but the trio Samuel mentions are three more than many EFL clubs can boast. It’s a percentage thing really and many we’ve let go [Butterfield, McGrandles, Adams etc] are regulars in the lower leagues or above – Korey Smith and Harry Toffolo come to mind in the latter instance.
The more we give youth a chance, at the appropriate moment of course, the more the youngsters will choose us and trust us to help with their development.
I agree Martin. The investment in Colney has proved really worthwhile. The Academy staff seem to be quality people and that is rounded off with Farke being willing to play young players. I am sure parents and advisers will look at our set up and record in developing players and it will give them confidence.
I think Man Utd have played academy products in virtually every team have put out in the last 30 years. It has saved them a fortune.
Gary will probably want to correct the first line of the final paragraph!
I agree that these 3 players are exciting prospects; I just hope the fans cut them some slack when they make mistakes or have an off day. Some of the nonsense Cantwell has had to put up with is shameful. There will probably be a lot of responsibility Omobamidele’s shoulders over the next few weeks, but DF has a good record of trusting in youth and will look after him.
The more young players that are brought into the first team and nurtured and improved, the more we will attract, which is essential if the self funding model is to be successful.
Cheers Big D …. call myself an editor 🙁
I’m sure the MFW readership is more forgiving of your very rare errors than many of the River End regulars would be!
As a confirmed RiverEnder myself, I confirm this to be true.
The young man certainly has something about him and has great mentors in Hanley, Gibson and Zimbo We certainly go into next season better equipped in CB department.
Will promotion be sufficient to retain the services of Max & Emi a while longer, may be? It would be great to keep the group together given they’ve all grown in experience and we will present a much stronger unit both physically and mentally next time. However, the value of investment in our junior ranks is well and truly paying off and in addition to those named in the article, let’s not forget a certain Sam McCallum on loan at Coventry and others although I expect they may be lower in the pecking order.
Andrew Omobamidele also had two bits of luck to do with timing. In the pecking order he would have probably been considered to be below Akin Famewo, but he was out on loan to Charlton; secondly, it is easier for an Academy graduate to break into an EFL side than a Premiership side. So its a case of right place, right time.
He now has 7 more games to firmly cement his name into Farke’s thinking, as we still need to sign a centre back in the transfer window.
Maybe a partnership of the future
A great column Samuel.
One hopes that other young players across the country (and maybe further afield) will see that at Norwich there IS every chance for them to actually appear in the first team.
O T B C
A very assured display from our latest Academy product and IMO, one of the most interesting things is that the style of play and tactics don’t change in the slightest, no matter who is in the team.
As others have said, there are incredible mentors throughout the squad to aid the development of all the younger players and I see that both Omobamidele and Idah are Irish and because of Brexit, that source of young talent may no longer be available to us. 😕
You are right about our young players have been very good I look at this and it’s a return to the past but with alot better training grounds which have to be one of the best in England I am sure under Daniel farke this will keep going we just have to keep Daniel even if Stuart goes