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Post by bubba on Aug 9, 2019 11:25:30 GMT
That's that then.
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Post by bluescharlie on May 19, 2020 15:31:05 GMT
Lack of goalies in the reserves now. Must be bringing some in. Only really got Jeacock now who will likely go on loan.
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Post by screamoblue on May 21, 2020 13:51:05 GMT
Montero would have to go anyway as he can’t get a work permit to remain over here. I’d like to keep Mrabti, but I’m not sure how the club or player feel about staying another year. Even in the current climate I think there are already some deals in place for players other than Bellingham to go. It’s a strange time for it to happen, but I can see quite a turnover in players and a big rebuild ahead.
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Post by bluescharlie on May 21, 2020 14:41:45 GMT
Think both the full backs will go. Get money in and then we have Harding and Seddon to step up.We should get a good chunk of money coming in but it’s what we do with it when we get it. Definitely think we should utilise loans and frees, especially with so many likely to be released.
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Post by screamoblue on May 22, 2020 12:29:25 GMT
Yeah, I agree think 1 or 2 of those three could be off. I'm sure Sunjic is a prime candidate to leave as well.
Well hope it's for a profit as he seems to have the qualities that could propel him to much higher levels. That said, as much as I rate his innate ability, his rashness and decision making was on multiple occasions very costly and on balance at our level right now, for his overall contribution we could imo replace him for considerably less money. Maybe we'd lose on potential future profit, but we'd have more to spread around other positions.
The figure that was mentioned to me was 10m.
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Post by bubba on Jun 24, 2020 8:51:37 GMT
To be fair to the board the contract situations look a lot healthier now we've extended Dean's, Colin's and Juke's contracts. Before that half the squad were out if contract at the end if the season. Now from what I can tell it will be Maghoma, Mrabti, C Gardner, Camp and Stockdale out if contract. Out of those I can only see Maghoma and possibly Mrabti being offered new deals, and even that will depend on how well they do this season. It wouldn't surprise me to see them all leave. Regardless of what business we do thus summer, I will give the board credit for making next years recruitment easier by sorting out contracts early. We have the whole season to scout for the positions we will need to strengthen most next year. Now we just need to get the 3 or 4 players we need for this season! Lol We'll call that a hit I think.
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Post by bubba on Jun 30, 2020 13:51:16 GMT
n
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Post by bluescharlie on Jul 30, 2020 12:32:51 GMT
Adan George has signed a pro deal now until 2022
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des
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Post by des on Aug 12, 2020 7:09:53 GMT
Sunjic to be sold for £10 mill? After his form this year, in what parallel universe do you sell underperforming midfielders for ten mill!
Kro
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2020 9:01:35 GMT
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Post by bubba on Oct 1, 2020 11:35:20 GMT
Finally.
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Post by jazzzy786 on Oct 26, 2020 20:46:55 GMT
Just wondering where's Jobe Bellingham?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2020 23:23:32 GMT
Just wondering where's Jobe Bellingham? Technically an under 15 but playing for the under 18s
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Post by jazzzy786 on Oct 27, 2020 15:25:14 GMT
So how old is Jobe now? Is there any inkling of a chance he may break into the scene at 16 like his brother?
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Post by bluescharlie on Oct 27, 2020 16:30:22 GMT
So how old is Jobe now? Is there any inkling of a chance he may break into the scene at 16 like his brother? 15
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Post by bubba on Oct 28, 2020 20:05:07 GMT
and he was still only 14 a few weeks back.
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Post by bubba on Dec 12, 2020 1:18:02 GMT
Spooner was calling out the u-23's last week over another game where they capitulated and questioning basically their mental strength if they aspire to be professional players and warning them they're at a precarious point in their fledgling careers. He was pretty damning and laying it on the line that they're not scholars anymore.
He's basically telling them technically they're good enough, but that will only get you so far. This came very shortly before the announcement about closing the academy for under 16 age groups and just going with B and C squads and can't help but feel that the two were in some way connected.
We often (all the time) get fans calling for the inclusion of under 23 and under 18's players but as per the reasoning of B and C squads these players are most of the time not ready for first team championship football and part of the argument is that they simply don't get the regular competitive football to push them on to that next level. This isn't new either, the same was being said as far back as Rowett and isn't just an issue for blues but for most clubs. It's one of the main reasons that prem clubs have on more than one occasion tried to get approval from the EFL to enter their youth sides into the league pyramid.
With all that in mind and approaching the halfway point of the season, here's a brief check on how our youngsters out on loan have acquitted themselves.
Ryan Burke - LB - 20 years old and out of contract in June next year.
Playing for the bottom team in the National League has managed just 3 starts and 2 sub appearances and even got hooked at H/T in one of his starts and so has played just 240 minutes for the worst side at the fifth level of English football.
I actually like the look of Burke and from what I've seen would offer him another deal, but this loan has certainly done him no favours.
Remeo Hutton - RB/LB/LM/RM - 22 years old and out of contract next June.
Playing in the National League last season played most games in various positions and has followed that on with being an almost ever present for Stevenage in division 2 this season, again playing in numerous positions. Not sure his versatility has been a help to him in his loans tbh and think he'd have personally benefitted more by nailing down one position.
Was a highly rated recruit from non league and seems to be holding his own at div 2 level but will be close to his 23rd birthday come the start of next season and you have to know when to cut ties if a player at that age isn't pushing for inclusion in your first team squad.
Jayden Reid - STR - 19 years old (turns 20 in April) and out of contract next June.
Went to Barrow in div 2 and after 7 sub appearances just got his first start actually playing behind the striker or as an attacking midfielder. No goals or assists as yet in his 201 league minutes nor 2 full games up front in cup competitions.
Came through the youth academies at man utd and Swansea which would seem to indicate a good pedigree though looked severely out of his depth with surprise inclusions at first team level for blues. He is still only 19 and whilst that is old enough for a lot of players to make their breakthrough it's equally true that many don't until 22/23 years of age and a very few even later than that. Can see an argument both for extending and ending his stay at blues.
Adan George STR - 18 years old and doesn't turn 19 until just before next season, contracted until June 22 with a year's option in the club's favour.
Has actually played more for blues first team in the league this season than his loan club Walsall in div 2 where he hasn't got on the pitch at all and in fact has only even made the bench twice. He did get a full game up front for them in a league cup game without scoring. Like Reid looked out of his depth for blues but appears to be not ready at that level either.
Highly rated and rumoured to be the target of clubs higher up the foodchain but his loan will have certainly brought him down to Earth. Still got time on his side, hopefully his experience will bring home to him that whilst admiring glances are nice, the pathway to success means constant improvement and proving yourself every game, every training session, every day, the world is full of guys that 'could have been a contender'
Will add the older players/players with first team blues appearances tomorrow.
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Post by bertieauld on Dec 12, 2020 13:00:04 GMT
Thanks bubbs very interesting
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Post by bubba on Dec 14, 2020 5:58:49 GMT
Charlie Lakin - CM/AM - 21 years old turning 22 at the end of the season when his contract runs out, though we do hold a year's option.
On loan at the bottom team in the Scot's Prem like several other young lads we've sent out this and other seasons, he's not in the easiest environment in which to shine. Has played central midfield mostly, sometimes in a two sometimes left in a three. Played 5 straight league games before picking up a hamstring injury and managed an assist. Also scored a goal in a cup game.
I don't watch Scottish football much but from what I can gather from reports and their club forum he's done ok without pulling up any trees and even within that league their are other young and younger players excelling more. I have no doubt Charlie will have a good professional career in the lower divisions but personally don't think he has or is showing enough to warrant blues activating their option, particularly given the numbers the club already has in his position.
Connal Trueman - GK - Turns 25 in March and contracted until 2022.
Long overdue loan and seems to have grasped his chance at annual strugglers Wimbledon playing every league game (15) bar the first when he'd picked up a knock and keeping 4 shut outs. Whilst I have certain reservations around the website Whoscored, looking at their figures Connal has rated equal or higher than Hull keeper Matt Ingram, Ipswich keeper Tomas Holy and pompey keeper Craig Macgillivray, 3 top 6 sides that have conceded considerably less goals than Wimbledon. They're all established keepers and it seems he's done pretty well to be rated similarly to keepers of that calibre despite being in a less than stellar side.
It's fair to say that he's not universally loved by blues fans but his loan as said is long overdue and getting this season under his belt will do him the world of good. There's no rush to make a decision with him still having 18 months on his deal but certainly worth considering bringing back into the blues fold if he continues progressing. Remember keepers tend to break through later and play to an older age and if you equate his loan as equivalent to a 20 year old outfield player getting their first loan, it's entirely possible there's still plenty of room for further progression.
Steve Seddon - LB/LWB - Turns 23 on Christmas Day and out of contract in the Summer though again we hold a year's option.
Also at Wimbledon played 11 straight games at LWB before dropping to the bench for a couple of games and then returning to the side last time out. Scored a goal and got 3 assists in those dozen full games which continues his upward rise in division one. Extrapolated over a full season that would be close to 4 goals and a dozen assists from LWB, not too shabby.
Nobody doubts that Seddon has got div one licked, at that level he's very useful. Whilst plenty think he should be utilised at blues I'm personally not convinced he's good enough, especially defensively, to hold his own in the championship. Have watched Seddon since he really took my eye in the youth/U-23's a few year's back with his physicalty making him stand out and me certain he was the one out of all of them that would make it as a pro. However in, admittedly very few, appearances I've seen him in blues first team I've not been at all convinced that he has the defensive ability to play as a championship leftback nor the pace to play LWB at this level.
Further to that when blues previously offered Seddon a 2 year deal with a year's option and though most missed it, I noticed he only signed a 1 year deal with a year's option. Now I'm speculating here but I suspected then and now that either Seddon wasn't entirely happy in Birmingham (he's a Southerner) or more likely he rates himself and isn't prepared to stick around too long in the stiffs and is hungry to kickstart his career. If as seems likely that's the case and especially now having had a good taste of regular football, I highly suspect Seddon himself will either want to be first choice at blues or to leave.
Odin Bailey - AM/wide forward - Turned 21 years of age a week ago and out of contract in 6 months, no option held.
Went back on loan to Forest Green though I believe there was late interest from division one but familiarity with the club and manager from his previous loan and style of play there (footballing side) tipped the balance.
Has made 8 starts and been on the bench 3 times coming on twice scoring 1 goal and getting 3 assists. Mostly played as an attacking midfielder being the 'one' in a 3-4-1-2 formation but has also had the odd stint wide as like blues, the formation is changed fairly regularly. That's a very decent return and I know from match reports, manager comments and highlights he's done well and is highly thought of there.
A lot of blues fans want to see Bailey incorporated into our squad and prior to this season that looked like it was happening but AK has shipped him out pretty sharpish and concerning he's out of contract in 6 months time. Part of the problem is that despite playing in the same area of the pitch as Toral/Crowley/Halilovic he's not a no.10 type. He can and does link play and play strikers in but doesn't dictate play like AK wants his 10 to do, he'd be more akin perhaps to McGree than those above.
That's where the dilemna is for blues and Odin himself, can we find a squad space for him and is he going to play. Is anybody even asking this question at the club or has a decision been made? As fans we're certainly in the dark but those 6 months will fly by and to me Odin certainly has enough about him to not be rushing to get him out the club.
Fran Villalba - AM/LM/NO.10 - 22 years old turning 23 at the end of the season and contracted until 2022 with no option held.
Playing for one of the top level 2 Spanish sides Fran has made 12 starts ad 3 further appearnces from the bench and being an unused sub twice and not making the squad once. He's only completed one full 90 minutes and even got hooked at H/T in 2 of his starts. He's scored 2 goals and got one assist.
I don't know how he's played though looking at his minutes on the pitch in individual games it looks quite possible that stamina is an issue. He's not coming back to blues so can only hope he has a good second half of the season to entice some Spanish club to make a bid to buy him permanently in the Summer though entering the last year of his deal our bargaining position will be weakened.
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Post by jazzzy786 on Dec 18, 2020 20:42:14 GMT
NGUEPISSI - nice name 😅
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Post by bubba on Jan 19, 2021 13:38:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2021 19:40:25 GMT
and he was still only 14 a few weeks back. Any update on Jobe progress?
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Post by bubba on Feb 24, 2021 20:10:27 GMT
I know as they did with Jude they've moved him around in a few different positions and he's got a fair number of under 18's games under his belt this season and chipped in a few goals. I've not seen him play as yet so can't comment on his performance levels or where he's at in his progression. I do think he's got it a lot tougher than Jude did just because of being his brother and the added expectation.
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Post by bubba on Apr 8, 2021 19:07:25 GMT
Late again with the publishing of the development and U-18's retained lists. The updating of the bcfc website and info on the younger age groups has really deteriorated over the past 3 or 4 years.
These decisions are made as early as December/January and the players are told not long after. There was a time this information would go up on the official site by end of February latest. These days it's either very very late or they don't even bother, just another example of the shoddy way the club is run and the lack of communication highlighted again.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2021 22:34:42 GMT
7 day scrap media blackout for the enough is enough campaign. I would have expected the announcements by now though.
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Post by bluescharlie on Apr 9, 2021 15:41:20 GMT
COVID may delay it even further
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Post by bubba on Apr 9, 2021 17:51:00 GMT
No doubt they'd be wheeled out as excuses but as said it's been going downhill for several years long before Covid and social media blackouts so not buying that for a second. Again as said, they have this information by January latest and use to regularly publish retained lists belw first team by end of February. If the players and coaches can fulfill fixtures I'm pretty sure a converstion between the staff and I.T department wouldn't be too onerus to sort this out, it's not like you can catch Covid from an email or over the phone.
EDIT
Dan Ivery has now publshed an article corroborating my thoughts and that these things should have been sorted out a long time ago yet astonishingly have only been done (in a short phone call no less) in the last week, disgraceful treatment of our youngsters.
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Post by bubba on Apr 9, 2021 18:19:32 GMT
Anyroadup, here's my predictions.
2nd Year Scholars
Given contracts
A.CLAYTON, E.ROUSE, D.DJUROVIC, C.NOAKES, J.WILLIAMS, A.CHANG, R.WALKER, A.MILLER
There was an article the other day alleging Everton were sniffing round Amari Miller, they can feck off.
Released
M.OAKLEY, K.CRAIG
Not sure
J.DUGMORE
Y.ZOHORE - not seen anything of him all season, don't know if he's injured or left the club, wouldn't be the first time youngsters have left without the club passing any comment.
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Still under contract.
N.GORDON-23(1)
K.HURST-23(1)
K.SIMMONDS-23 A.GEORGE-22(1) J.ANDREWS-22(1)
L.DOS.REIS-(??) THOMPSON-SOMMERS-22 O.SOLDEVILA-22 M.ROBERTS-22
Released
B.SUN - surely? J.CONCANNON R.HUTTON J.REID M.FERNANDEZ
Option taken up or new deal
T.CAMPBELL-21(1) - would be a surprise if they released him
R.STIRK-21 - I'm biased cus I like him
G.BAJRAMI-21 - been the pick of the development defenders for 3 years but desperately needs a loan because he won't progress any more if he doesn't play at a decent level regularly, if they can't get him that may as well release him.
Not sure
R.BURKE-21 - like him but that Yeovil loan didn't help, bad choice of club
J.REDMOND-21 - prefer him to M.Roberts but he's the one out of contract and as always room needs to be made for youngsters coming up from U-18's
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Post by jazzzy786 on May 5, 2021 19:28:54 GMT
I thought Fernandez was supposed to be good and scored a lot of goals.
Concannon was another one who was supposed to be a good creative midfielder but I hear not physically strong enough.
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Post by bubba on May 17, 2021 8:22:45 GMT
Anyroadup, here's my predictions.
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Still under contract.
N.GORDON-23(1)
K.HURST-23(1)
K.SIMMONDS-23 A.GEORGE-22(1) J.ANDREWS-22(1)
L.DOS.REIS-(??) THOMPSON-SOMMERS-22 O.SOLDEVILA-22 M.ROBERTS-22
Released
B.SUN - surely? J.CONCANNON R.HUTTON J.REID M.FERNANDEZ
Option taken up or new deal
T.CAMPBELL-21(1) - would be a surprise if they released him
R.STIRK-21 - I'm biased cus I like him
G.BAJRAMI-21 - been the pick of the development defenders for 3 years but desperately needs a loan because he won't progress any more if he doesn't play at a decent level regularly, if they can't get him that may as well release him.
Not sure
R.BURKE-21 - like him but that Yeovil loan didn't help, bad choice of club
J.REDMOND-21 - prefer him to M.Roberts but he's the one out of contract and as always room needs to be made for youngsters coming up from U-18's
All the suggested released ones have been aswell as those I wasn't sure about plus Bajrami, the only one I got wrong (sort of) and despite a lack of pace still think he's got a future and he'll develop at a club that will pick him up.
Sad to see Ryan Burke go but did hint the writing was on the wall
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