Blooding Youngsters - When is the right time?

[Hoop Blah]

Reserve team games and pre-season friendlies are not the right place to judge a young player. I think in general Reading get it right, the policy of sending them out on-loan first definately seems to be the right way forward.

For you to even suggest playing Samual, probably based soley on reading online that he played for England U19's, is laughable and highlights how young players are often over hyped by fans.

In response to Scarfaces response, you should actually see Samual as well as some of the other U18s play before you make a judgement about whether they are ready or not reading for first team football.

You obviously have not watched an U18s Game and suggest you do and then make your own mind up.

Reserving judgement until you've seen players play is pretty much what he's saying though! The original post seems to be suggesting we play the lad just because he's been included in an age group international side which a high percentage of it's players will never make the grade.

As for watching the U18s, that's quite difficult these days as (unless things have changed) you can't get in to watch their games when their played at Hogwood.

[TBM]

LOL

[melonhead]

[Stuka]

Re picture above-

I thought you weren't meant to do up your bottom suit button? Of have I been getting it wrong all these years?

[specialjon]

Re picture, brilliant! Makes you proud we've actually produced some quality players.

From what I understand Taylor has been the heart of the team for Exeter, so I figure he's ready to come back and become the heart of our team. Why not?

Exeter who are 19th in the division below us. Not really the same level. I think pre-season of next season and next season will be when he's given his chance.

[YateleyRoyal]

Who is the fella between Pearce and Henry?

[Hoop Blah]

Who is the fella between Pearce and Henry?

I think it's the England schoolboy we took on for a while, Tom or Dan someone with an Eastern European sounding name starting with P and ending in ski.

[winchester_royal]

Piotrowski.

[melonhead]

bless you

[mambo3]

Reserve team games and pre-season friendlies are not the right place to judge a young player. I think in general Reading get it right, the policy of sending them out on-loan first definately seems to be the right way forward.

For you to even suggest playing Samual, probably based soley on reading online that he played for England U19's, is laughable and highlights how young players are often over hyped by fans.

In response to Scarfaces response, you should actually see Samual as well as some of the other U18s play before you make a judgement about whether they are ready or not reading for first team football.

You obviously have not watched an U18s Game and suggest you do and then make your own mind up.

Reserving judgement until you've seen players play is pretty much what he's saying though! The original post seems to be suggesting we play the lad just because he's been included in an age group international side which a high percentage of it's players will never make the grade.

As for watching the U18s, that's quite difficult these days as (unless things have changed) you can't get in to watch their games when their played at Hogwood.

you can watch the U18s playing at Hogwoods with no trouble at all ( it must have been a few years ago sincer youve been) . Also dont undermine representing your country at any age level especially when they pick championship Academy players from Reading
when they have the choice of the major Premiership clubs, so they are good enough to play for England but not ready to play for Reading sooner rather than later? Reading have Irish and Welsh Academy internationals so they must be doing something right. Lets see what they do with this crop of youngsters!!!

[Hoop Blah]

I'm not undermining the achievement of player for any other the age group national teams but playing under 19s does not make you ready for Championship football. You could be yes, but the majority at that age group aren't playing first team football and that's for a reason. Often, if they're good enough to be playing for their clubs in the Championship or higher u19s then they'll be in the u21s for a start.

As for getting in to watch the academy, well I've not tried for a whole as the club state they're still played behind closed doors. The last time I tried that meant that, like reserve team games, you really can't get in.

[SCIAG]

Jem Karacan had a run in the Reading first team (next to either Harper or Cisse) when he was 18. Alex Pearce was about the same age. Gylfi Sigurdsson's 20-goal season was when he was 19/20.

Jake Taylor will be 20 in a few weeks. He is old enough- the only question is "is he strong enough?".

Lawson D'Ath is supposed to be something of a flat track bully, despite his frankly phenomenal goal record (he's twice as good at scoring goals and Gylfi was at his age) he looked out of place when he played with the first team. Hopefully he develops, but he's only a year younger than Taylor and doesn't seem to be at the level Taylor was at a year ago.

Jordan Obita is a year younger again, and is arguably too young, especially given that he has no experience in League One or Two, but Brian knows him much better than we do.

[Elmer Park]

I agree with those that say it is important not to rush young players and our policy of getting them experience in lower divisions has proved very successful.

I know Obita has had injury problems but if and when he is fully fit I think all parties might benefit from his having a short spell on loan to a League One Club if possible, with a view to him getting some game time in our first team later in the season. At the moment although none of our wingers are on great form I find it hard to see McDermott picking him ahead of McAnuff, Kebe or HRK.

As for Taylor I was worried when he couldn't regularly get in a side as poor as Aldershot so am delighted he seems to have found a good temporary home at Exeter, Another one who might get a chance later in the season and maybe sooner than Obita will.

From what I have seen those are the only two youngsters who might get a look in. I saw D'Ath in a couple of pre season games against non league opponents and on those showings it might be difficult just yet to get him a league Club for a loan spell as he was very disappointing considering the good reports I had read about him. It's a shame we are away in the Youth Cup as I would like to have seen if I just caught him on a couple of off days.

[Simon's Church]

D'ath is too old for the youth cup anyway so you're not missing out.

[LoyalRoyal22]

I would like to see Jordan Obita given some game time at some point this season, seen him in pre-season, he looked immense(Gylfi standard)