General New Scholars

[Marked Ox]

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/16182890.Oxford_United_unveil_nine_new_scholars/?ref=mrb&lp=6

Haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere although I may have missed it. Would just like to welcome and wish good luck to the new scholars who are either joining the club or stepping up from the lower age group.

 

[Malc]

More good news from the club
?

 

[outsidethebox]

Certainly seem to be pulling out all the stops in terms of wanting to develop young players. Very refreshing approach.

 

[mooro]

Just for context, ten players will be leaving the scholars this summer (Pro deals: Niall Clayton, Matt Berry-Hargreaves, Albie hopkins, Aaron heap, Dejon Noel-Williams // released: Ben Chillcot, Nathan baker, Dan Carr, GRaham Bryan, Rex Mannings)

seven players will be entering their second year: Freddie Niblett, Harry McDonnell, James Cowan, Aaron McREadie, Kyran Lofthouse, Ryan Crooks & owen James (who has already been given a pro deal, but is technically only a 2nd years scholar).

So this will leave a fairly standard sized squad of 16, supplemented by lads from the U16s....

The more interesting detail is the five/six getting pro deals, and rumours of a more structured dev squad returning next season. Add to these Agboola, Baptiste, Napa and perhaps Kelleher, then that is the basis of a team, supplemented by a couple of older fringe players, but I wonder whether we will see the same kind of additions that we did when the Lenagans first set up the Devs (eg Ruffels)?

 

[Marked Ox]

I suspect we will see a few signed like Josh Ruffels as KR wants a smaller squad so makes sense that way.

 

[Sarge]

I suspect we will see a few signed like Josh Ruffels as KR wants a smaller squad so makes sense that way.

Hope so, it'd be great to see our young prospects come through the ranks and deliver on the promise they've shown, but at first-team level. Its healthy for some of our own to play for their local (E)FL side

 

[Ricey]

Good luck to the lads!!

 

[BotleyOx]

3rd from the end looks a lot like Garth Crooks

 

[Foley]

Have we taken as many from other clubs before?

 

[unification]

I suspect we will see a few signed like Josh Ruffels as KR wants a smaller squad so makes sense that way.

Saw this Sky Sports headline. $50m for Ruffels to go to Sheffield United!

I know CW liked playing him so that's plenty of moolah for us.