With the academy season starting this Saturday morning with the Under-18s at home to Leicester, it’s time to preview the new campaign. Across the piece, I’ll be looking at reasons to be excited/cautious, as well as key players in both age groups.
UNDER-18s
After two disappointing bottom-placed finishes for the U18s, there will be some internal pressure for them to have a positive season. Despite results not being pivotal in development football, finishing last for a third consecutive season would trigger question marks across the department.
However, this new scholar intake has an array of talent that fills me with optimism. The backline consists of a strong centre-back partnership, while the attack contains good variety.
The squad also looks to have more depth this season, certainly compared to 2022-23’s group, which had certain positions that were light. The left-back position was a prime example, with U16s players rotating across the season. This season looks different, with genuine cover in every position.
It’s one thing having numbers in the squad, but having quality in abundance is a bonus. With Ansen’s presence in goal, Djedje’s physicality in midfield, married with Amadou’s composure in front of goal, the U18s have a solid spine going into the new campaign.
Secondly, they pose a serious goal threat. Thirteen goals from four games in pre-season is very promising, with nine of those goals coming from their strikers, with Pedro Amadou (4), Alex Roberts (3), Damari Daley, and Harrison Thompson all getting on the scoresheet. Despite them only playing one friendly against another Category One academy, the patterns of play they established were positive, which should give them confidence going into the new season.
However, there are also some reservations, one of which is their ball retention. During the recent encounter against Wolves, the U18s found it difficult to construct any passing patterns due to lethargic and inaccurate passes. This will need to improve across the campaign, as opponents are likely to set traps against them, which could have devastating consequences. There are a range of physical and tactically adequate midfielders amongst the U18s squad but the technical aspects of their games need to emerge for the team to have a connection from defence to attack.
Furthermore, from a wider perspective, there is a huge likelihood that some of the U18s players at the start of the season will move up to the U21s squad during it. Caleb Ansen, Uriah Djedje, Elliot Myles and Pedro Amadou are all candidates for moving up if they are performing strongly up to Christmas. Despite that being the object of development football, the reality is it could weaken the U18s. leading to some negative results.
Key Player: Elliot Myles
One of the most technically gifted players in the academy, Elliot will be hoping to play an influential part in the U18s season in what’s likely to be an attacking midfield role. This will give him an opportunity to showcase his best attribute, which is his passing in the attacking third. If Myles can reach double figures for the U18s season, then it’s likely they will have a successful season.
Under the Radar: Lloyd Ofori-Mantaew
This was between two players, but I opted to go for Lloyd, over Hugo Valencia-Gomez. Across 2022-23, Ofori-Mantaew put in some encouraging performances, which warranted him a starting place for a selection of matches. His aggression, tenacity, and positional awareness are highly encouraging for a 16-year-old although he needs to become stronger, to avoid getting bullied across the season.
Lloyd Ofori featuring Vs Diss Town in a pre-season friendly. Credit: Diss Town
Prediction: 7th
Finishing above any of the London-based teams in the U18PL South would be commendable, due to the calibre of talent in the capital. A mid-table finish would be a good season for the Canaries, as long as they are competitive in every game.
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UNDER-21s
Last season the U21s were in a playoff chase for a large proportion of the season, but fell just short towards the end, losing important home fixtures to Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. With the league reshaping, it will be interesting to see where the U21s finish.
One reason to get excited about them this season is the age profile of the squad, which is younger. Due to players such as Brad Hills, Lewis Shipley, and Abu Kamara moving on from U21s football, the natural progression commences with U18s moving up the U21s squad. Ken Aboh, Michael Reindorf, and Dubem Eze are prime examples and all with points to prove as they head into U21s football.
Furthermore, the new signings will instill freshness and energy into the U21s. Gabriel Forysth, Charlie Wilson, Adian Manning, and Emmanuel Adegboyeda will all look to impact the side after arriving in the summer. The element of intrigue with those signings is they all play in central areas of the pitch, meaning they’ll be dealing with a sense of responsibility. The pleasing element for the new signings is that there few players who have yet made the position their own, which offers them the chance to impress and opens up a pathway into the team.
But, to add a note of caution, there does look to be a lack of quality and depth in defensive areas. With Warner likely to be heading out on loan, the number of defenders is limited. With just one orthodox right back, and with no preferred left-backs in the U21s squad, it raises concerns that a number of players will be playing out of position across the season. An example is Waylon Renecke, a confident ball-playing centre-back, having to adjust in his secondary position at left back against a physical non-league opponent in Macclesfield in one of the friendlies..
From an educational perspective, it’s useful to learn about different positions due to the obvious unpredictability that football brings but using Finley Welch as a striker isn’t utilising his special dribbling skills. If players are consistently playing in their secondary positions, it could be damaging as it may hinder the freedom and confidence they have on the pitch.
Key Player: Finley Welch
There are many technical gifted midfield players among the U21s, but Welch is a special talent. He is a wonderful footballer who has a tremendous knack of gliding past opponents, which is effective as it progresses the team up the pitch – something the team has problems doing on occasion. Welch could be an instrumental player in this team and if he elevates his levels from last season then could even get called up to the first team.
Under the Radar: Ellis Craven
This was a tough one as I believe there could be a range of players who will quietly impress, but I’ve gone for the new goalkeeper, Ellis Craven. The left-footed keeper has shown tremendous courage with his distribution in pre-season, while also making some tidy stops. With it being likely he’ll have many opportunities this season, I’m backing this sweeper keeper to have a really good campaign.
Prediction: 15th/26th
Fifteenth place would see them get into the knockout stages of the U21s league. With this relatively inexperienced squad still needing to gel, that would be a good outcome. The U21s will create a good volume of opportunities this season, meaning it’ll be down to Coker, Reindorf, and Aboh to fire in front of goal. With a lack of options defensively, the U21s may get exposed at the back, so goals at the other end will be at a premium., but I’m backing the attackers to fire City’s U21s into a knockout spot. They will need to be wary of high-level opposition, with the two Manchester clubs and the majority of the London clubs all expected to be very strong.
Hi Will
*There are a range of physical and tactically adequate midfielders amongst the U18s squad but the technical aspects of their games need to emerge for the team to have a connection from defence to attack.*
That comment was made about the First Team on several occasions by several different MFW readers and writers [me included] last season, so to hear it in connection with the forthcoming season for the U18s is interesting!
Also of note is what you have to say about the relative strengths of the London Clubs as only last week the Club advertised for a scout to cover that particular catchment area and the Home Counties.
We used to recruit from this area [Max, Jamal, Kenny Coker, Alex Matos] very well until a couple of years ago we seemed to hit a brick wall.
Hopefully the new recruit will redress this once appointed.
Thanks for another informative read.
Thank you as ever, Martin! Yes, the club are always browsing in the London area, just due to the volume of quality players in that region.
Ball progression from the U18s midfielders, is something that I want to see in the opening games, as the team essentially relies on the CMs to be the creative outlet.