EFL Trophy Gas v Spurs u21’s build up…

Exactly. Pointless paying for an experienced keeper to sit on the bench and most likely only play a handful of pizza cup games. Can always get another keeper on an emergency loan later in the season if Griffiths gets injured. That's what most lower league clubs do.

It was a bit different last season with Ward being away on international duty on a number of occasions. We needed cover encase our games still went ahead without him.

Hall is there to sit on the bench if needed during a game and probably more importantly, to help out in training. If Griffiths gets injured, we will bring in someone else.

He`s got a real bee in his bonnet about Shaw.  He refuses to see what`s becoming clear to the rest of us.   Shaw has done enough to warrant a step up in the side.   Am not saying that he should start against Stockport ( or anybody ) but give him a chance to show what he can do from a spot on the bench.  If the gap between friendlies and meaningless cup competitions proves too big for him right now, then have a rethink.   But give the lad a chance.

Oh, I see, I’m not allowed an opinion because it differs from others?

Thats all I’ve done. Offered my opinion.

I’ve said he’s a talent. I said he was better second half. I said I was pleased for him scoring his goal and it was a great moment for him. I’ve said he’s done well in friendlies.

I just don’t get carried away with hyperbole as though he’s the second coming. I get that fans get excited seeing a kid come through but I’m not judging on that I’m judging on what I see and what I see is a lot of raw energy, raw enthusiasm and raw talent. Which all needs refining and tempering before he’d be ready for real football. IMO!!!

I’m actually doing the kid a favour because I also won’t be the one moaning and groaning about him when he inevitably has a difficult spell in a years time and people are saying “I dunno what’s happened to him he looked like he was gonna be a star” and will need reminding that he’s only 18 and still learning!!

What I will say is, be worried if he does start making appearances in the first team because if he hasn’t signed a pro yet it’s very likely the club know of interest and will be using it to increase compensation numbers…..

Balance it’s called, not bee in a bonnet at all.

He doesn’t need to struggle in order to be put on loan. Thats not the idea of a loan or the reason for doing it.

Even if he’s picking up 20 mins here and there, it’s not enough to see him fully develop. Where’s he getting his minutes? U18s? Against who? Cheltenham’s 18s?

It’s not an insult to go and play Conference South. It’s a good level and many teams won’t even have any interest in taking a 17 year old! But the main reason I suggest that level is that they’re on the main part time and it would allow him to stay with us Monday to Friday rather than go and train full time with a national league side (and maybe still not get many minutes).

I’m not too fussed about the fact the commentator said how well he’d done first half. He sounded like a Uni media student and was too busy fawning over the Spurs players like he was at a champions league game!!

Also, what’s the right time to be bringing him on for 20 mins too? 3-0 up? 3-0 down? Just let him run alone with no pressure? 1-1 and see if he has a moment of magic….at the risk someone strolls past him inside the box like last nights second goal or he lets a player run off his shoulder cos he’s ball watching? All good and needed learning experiences but do we rather that on Saturday at Stockport or prefer it for Bath at Weymouth?

Now there’s a quote I have to bookmark and will be sure to use later 👍

Taylor and Sotiriou both said how well he played in their post match interviews. So the commentator, 99% of fans, our manager and player said how well he played.

I'm not getting carried away. It's pre season and one game against a youth side. But he definitely deserves to be when the first team squad at this stage. If I'm a month or two he's struggling to get minutes, loan him out then. He's got time on his side. I would rather him be involved in our squad for a few months, before making a decision.

If you were there last night, the two stand out things you would have noticed, Tottenham U21s put out one of  the best total footballing side you would have seen play at the MEM, Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear are fantastic players, secondly the only player from the BRFC team who I thought would get a game at N17 was Kofi Shaw, the lad ouses pace, desire, ability and class, so just like Everton did when Rooney burst onto the scene, imo start the lad and play to his strengths, don't send him out on loan, but give the lad a game time, and bring Sinclair on to cover for him when needed.   

Destined for the Prem? Wow that’s a big call for a player who’s just taken part in a handful of games in August.

How many of that Spurs side do you think will make the Prem? 2? Maybe 3 max if they’re incredibly lucky!

For context, Macca was captain of an u19s Chelsea side that won the UEFA Youth League….not much could go wrong from 19 could it….?

As for the NLS, what an outdated view that it’s simply to “man up”.

It’s a good level and it’s technically excellent and physically demanding. Lots of ex pros in there and lots of young lads either released from premier league clubs or on loan from championship clubs.

You get plenty of minutes to develop your game. Technically and tactically. You learn from mistakes when players run off you or you lose your marker and it matters cos you just lost 3 points. You learn to deal with criticism - from team mates opposition and fans who are just feet away from you and what you learn is you have to be brave enough to keep trying things and keep wanting the ball.

You get to improve as a footballer by playing football not watching it. He’d be a youth loan that can be recalled any time and sent back out again at any time and it’s unlimited.

Seemed to work for for the likes of Ollie Watkins going to Chippenham….and he’s made the Prem ok.

Anyway it’s hypothetical cos hasn’t MT already said he’s not going yet? My bet is that was before he has seen how advanced he is and initially may not have thought him ready for loan as opposed to being too good for it…..

We’ll see. What I will agree on is if he’s looked after and has good people around him he could well have a bright future in the game and that’s not a given for anyone…..look at a John Bostok….and countless others of real early talent.

A few comments saying we were sloppy in possession, I view it more as trying to make things happen, taking risks.

Anthony, Kofi, Sousa, Hutch, Senior all trying to make things happen, was great to see.

Ruel will be dissapointed not to have opened his account but saw glimpses of what a fully fit Ruel will look like, enjoyed his mazy run into the box.

Desperate for Macca to succeed but just not sure he has the ability.

Overall enjoyed it, good to see some goals and attacking intent, more minutes in legs for many. Onto a big test on saturday.