| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? 12:24 - Sep 13 with 4175 views | Dale96 |
Whilst it wasn't the greatest Rochdale performance I've ever seen, the Man City U21 game did at least give us a chance to see some of the academy lads play.
It's fair to say that Matheson and Morley have established themselves as first team regulars at this point, but any thoughts on who will be the next to establish themselves?
I think we have five academy products on pro contracts but yet to break into the team:
Brad Wade, Matty Gillam, Fabio Tavares, Harrison Hopper and Lewis Bradley.
There are also the younger players to consider, such as Phillips, Clarkson and Thomas.
Wade is currently on loan at Barrow, and is unlikely to see first team football this season. Gillam has had chances in the first team but has struggled, and at 21 you'd imagine that this could be his last season to break through.
I thought Tavares looked skilful Vs City if a touch lightweight, whilst Hopper and Bradley showed some neat touches but struggled to really impose themselves on the game (which is to be expected at their age).
I think there's a fair chance of Tavares or Gillam getting some league football off the bench this season, as we seem a bit short on attacking depth.
I'm just curious about which academy players other fans believe could be the next off our production belt, particularly the opinions of those who follow the academy closely. |  | | |  |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 13:59 - Sep 13 with 4010 views | Knowlesy |
What I saw of Tavares on Wednesday made me feel like he needs some football to aid his development. Didn't get on the ball an awful lot and when he did get in behind, he hesitated for long enough to allow their defence to come back and snuff him out.
I think Gillam has to be on his way out, despite probably being on a low wage he doesn't contribute anything for me. The fact that he was on the bench in that game and then came on at left back told me everything we need to know.
The other young lads looked OK, a little small and lightweight compared to City's giants but the team they put out had million pound players in it. Some nice touches and with time and exposure could be handy little players.
It's a shame we don't seem to have brought any central defenders through. Jim won't last forever so it would be even more exciting for me if we had someone who we'd coached from 15/16 years old to play the way we're playing now that could really make the step up when he does retire. |  | | |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 14:23 - Sep 13 with 3969 views | Dickydaler |
I don't know about the younger age group in the academy but I do watch a few youth team games. The lad I have an inkling about is Joe Dunne, a left back who sometimes plays at centre back. Last year I thought that Louis White, a midfielder in the same mould as Morley, might have been given a contract but he ended up at Hyde utd. It's very difficult because the step up to the first team can be enormous for some. Matheson has been amazing in that aspect; it's hard to believe he's only a first year! There has been a young lad mentioned on the official site who was called up to the Polish (I think) under 17's or Under 16's. I've only seen him play once in the under 18's and think he's still got a way to go yet but he was 2 years younger than most playing.
The lad Thomas, who came on against city, I think is going to be a bit special. Early days of course but he has only just turned 15.
The inclusion of these lads in the Leasing.com (?) trophy and integration games are a great idea. | | | |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 10:00 - Sep 14 with 3582 views | boromat |
I think it just depends with Gilliam he's obviously being transformed into a left back going off preseason and the EFL Trophy game. If it goes well he could become second choice to a loanee and then who knows next season but it's a big challenge for him.
I think the other new pros are going to need a year or two like has been the case for many. Like the look of Joe Dunne when he played left back in preseason. Couple of midfielders that are well thought of as well Clarkson is one and the other lad has the same first name but escapes me. So it's definitely looking up.
Also Phillips didn't look out of place. | |
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| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 22:08 - Sep 15 with 3171 views | kiwidale |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 10:00 - Sep 14 by boromat |
I think it just depends with Gilliam he's obviously being transformed into a left back going off preseason and the EFL Trophy game. If it goes well he could become second choice to a loanee and then who knows next season but it's a big challenge for him.
I think the other new pros are going to need a year or two like has been the case for many. Like the look of Joe Dunne when he played left back in preseason. Couple of midfielders that are well thought of as well Clarkson is one and the other lad has the same first name but escapes me. So it's definitely looking up.
Also Phillips didn't look out of place. |
Its a difficult transition from academy to first team the Rochdale academy is no different to others in that respect. The culling starts early far too early in my opinion? many players develop late physically and in other ways but what else can you do other than let them go? Some will find a way back better and stronger like Hogan did however he was the exception. Another player let go at 18/19 was Rathbone albeit at united but how many good prospects have Dale released that haven't found a way back? I still scratch my head over Kevin Townson also what happened to that lad from the youth setup that we offered terms this season who refused to sign. [Post edited 16 Sep 2019 2:15]
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| This is not the time for bickering.
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| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 06:27 - Sep 16 with 3046 views | boromat |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 22:08 - Sep 15 by kiwidale |
Its a difficult transition from academy to first team the Rochdale academy is no different to others in that respect. The culling starts early far too early in my opinion? many players develop late physically and in other ways but what else can you do other than let them go? Some will find a way back better and stronger like Hogan did however he was the exception. Another player let go at 18/19 was Rathbone albeit at united but how many good prospects have Dale released that haven't found a way back? I still scratch my head over Kevin Townson also what happened to that lad from the youth setup that we offered terms this season who refused to sign. [Post edited 16 Sep 2019 2:15]
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I think the integration squad might be the way forward to keep youngsters for longer. It's a bit like having an U23s team. I can imagine moving forward that might be where we are heading. | |
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| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 07:11 - Sep 16 with 3018 views | visualman |
Did we not just sign a central defender from Bury's youth, Can't remember his name
could he be the one that we need
Not sure he has played yet, so no one will be able to tell if he will be the real deal or not |  | | |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 13:09 - Sep 17 with 2627 views | boromat |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 07:11 - Sep 16 by visualman |
Did we not just sign a central defender from Bury's youth, Can't remember his name
could he be the one that we need
Not sure he has played yet, so no one will be able to tell if he will be the real deal or not |
Yep and we've just signed another into the youth team
https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2019/september/yt--oliver-patrick-scholar/ | |
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| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 13:34 - Sep 17 with 2566 views | DaleFan7 |
| Rochdale Academy - Who is Next? on 07:11 - Sep 16 by visualman |
Did we not just sign a central defender from Bury's youth, Can't remember his name
could he be the one that we need
Not sure he has played yet, so no one will be able to tell if he will be the real deal or not |
Could do with poaching Bobby Copping from there, you English centre back who's highly thought of, could turn out to be a very good player. | | | |
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