young Oxes axed

Story really in who does not leave, rather than who does...

I think this leaves our current youth roster as:
Other Young Pros: Jack Stevens (keeeper), Baptiste, Napa, Agboola,
Devs/1st year pros: Niall Clayton, Aaron Heap, Armani Little, Steven Johnson (Hopkins, Matt BH, Dejon NW, TAverner left)
2nd year scholars: McDonnell, McREadie, Crooks, Lofthouse, Owen James (*) (Niblett left)
1st year scholars: Evans, Harris, Sampford, Milton, Nico Jones, Elechi, Chambers, Spasek (*), Jack Stevens (forward), Lopes (*), Edwards
* - scholars already with pro deals

We still have the glut of young keepers, so at least one of Agboola or Clayton will probably go.
Interesting that many of the higher profile youth teamers are still first years, so maybe not too many decisions due yet,
 
Disappointing but harsh reality. I really had high hopes for Matt Berry-Hargreaves after seeing him play a couple of times. I also hoped Dejon would make the grade simply because I’m a big fan of old fashioned center-forward types who put themselves about and he looked like a chip off the old block in that sense. I also heard a lot of good things about Albie.

I wish all five of them all the best for the future.

I will add though that I have 100% faith in Dan Harris making the difficult but correct decisions, for the club and the lads themselves
 
Disappointing but harsh reality. I really had high hopes for Matt Berry-Hargreaves after seeing him play a couple of times. I also hoped Dejon would make the grade simply because I’m a big fan of old fashioned center-forward types who put themselves about and he looked like a chip off the old block in that sense. I also heard a lot of good things about Albie.

I wish all five of them all the best for the future.

I will add though that I have 100% faith in Dan Harris making the difficult but correct decisions, for the club and the lads themselves
Here here!!
 
Story really in who does not leave, rather than who does...

I think this leaves our current youth roster as:
Other Young Pros: Jack Stevens (keeeper), Baptiste, Napa, Agboola,
Devs/1st year pros: Niall Clayton, Aaron Heap, Armani Little, Steven Johnson (Hopkins, Matt BH, Dejon NW, TAverner left)
2nd year scholars: McDonnell, McREadie, Crooks, Lofthouse, Owen James (*) (Niblett left)
1st year scholars: Evans, Harris, Sampford, Milton, Nico Jones, Elechi, Chambers, Spasek (*), Jack Stevens (forward), Lopes (*), Edwards
* - scholars already with pro deals

We still have the glut of young keepers, so at least one of Agboola or Clayton will probably go.
Interesting that many of the higher profile youth teamers are still first years, so maybe not too many decisions due yet,

Didn't Lofthouse along with Elechi, Lopes and Spasov sign a pro contract joining Owen James?
 
Who’s out of contract in the first team ? Obviously Nelson
 
Didn't Lofthouse along with Elechi, Lopes and Spasov sign a pro contract joining Owen James?
Maybe, I'm beginning to lose track to be honest...tho if so, maybe doesnt bode so well for the three remaining second years (McCreadie most likely to get the nod if any I suspect)
 
Think Steve Johnson went a little while back.

Agree on the keeper situation. Agboola has been on a pro deal for a while and made the bench just the once. With Stevens yet to get first team game time, I can't see all of Agboola/Clayton/Harris hanging about.
 
Crooks seems to get very good write ups?
The first year scholars seem to have some really good talent.
we have some exciting talent in both U18s and U23s squads ...(despite offloading 5 yesterday)... personally, Id like to see more ,of both, getting to clock up valuable first team minutes and experience, instead of injury carrying , injury prone journeymen loanees !.... young talent home grown , developed by OUFC will run through walls for the shirt.... loanees rarely have the same commitment IMO

for those who havent yet, go along and watch U18s and U23s games if you can, both play exciting , attacking football.... real credit to Dan Harris and all at the academy , and of course Chrissy Allen too
 
Hopkins on trial at Millwall
more on this from Milwall


“If players have been told their futures don’t lie at the club they are at – they might have been ones we have noticed before or recommended to our scouts – then we might want to take a look. Sometimes it is a lot easier doing now than pre-season – you get an opportunity to look now and get a head-start on other teams.

“If players do well we can always invite them back in pre-season. It was a chance to see a couple of young lads who have been recommended. It is fine seeing players in training or matches behind closed doors, but sometimes you have got to see them in real, competitive games.
 
Explanation later down the article. 100% behind that reasoning. Especially if they think some of the U18s really have the ability to make it. No point keeping hold of a large number of the 23s if they're not going to threaten the first team. Lots of midfielders already at the club so for Little's career, it makes sense to go and play.

"Those fans who have followed these updates all year will know that we have a very talented young crop of under 18’s who, if we manage them carefully over the coming months, have the potential to reach a very high ceiling. In order to create space for these players to develop further, we have made the decision to run with a smaller group of u23s players for next season. "
 
KR said last summer he sacrificed some first team budget to allow the U23s to be formed. With Tiger mentioning we have a reduced budget KR is probably clawing some back along with a handy crop of 18s = U23s get squeezed
yeah definitely seems to have paid off. got some good younger ones and they’ll be in good hands with KR
 
KR said last summer he sacrificed some first team budget to allow the U23s to be formed. With Tiger mentioning we have a reduced budget KR is probably clawing some back along with a handy crop of 18s = U23s get squeezed

He seems to trust these youngsters whereas the U23s this season it comes across as less so. Hence Little not getting many chances and being loaned out but Lopes getting chances early on.
 
He seems to trust these youngsters whereas the U23s this season it comes across as less so. Hence Little not getting many chances and being loaned out but Lopes getting chances early on.
Yes agree. I guess that if there is one disappointment , the players brought into the U23s have not really pushed for first team places which has to be the point?
That's assuming that Whyte and Sykes were brought in for the first team squad.
It's important that some of these young players given pro contracts really push in next season.
 
Yes agree. I guess that if there is one disappointment , the players brought into the U23s have not really pushed for first team places which has to be the point?
That's assuming that Whyte and Sykes were brought in for the first team squad.
It's important that some of these young players given pro contracts really push in next season.
would a relegation scrap have been the right environment to put them in? had we not started poor and found ourselves safe by January, that would've been the time to blood them in
 
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