I may as well start the ball rolling. (Academy products in bold.) Overall there is a lot to be excited about if only our forwards / attacking mids can add another 30 goals to last seasons total. Quality strikers are as rare as hens teeth but finding newbies is what scouts and Directors of Football are for isn't it?
Options
GK's
Pears... 7 Came in strongly and took the gloves of Kaminsky when needed. Needs to work on really commanding his area and his defence because there were a couple too many 'John Butcher' moments creeping into his game.
Kaminsky... 7 I think he has the edge but it's open to debate. tbh unless he gets back to No1 I don't see him staying, he's apparently not happy at the moment and as Belgiums No2 or No3 keeper he needs to be playing first team football.
Defence
Brittain.... 6 Solid enough at right back with the versatlility to play at left back if necessary.
Carter... 8 Defensive find of the season. He's come in and forced himself to starting on the team sheet. His form has pushed Ayala, Scott Wharton and youngster Phillips down the queue. I'm sure he will be even better with a settled right back alongside.
Hyam... 7 Last seasons player of the year but showed up a little error prone late on in the season. He needs to keep on top of his game with the above players jostling for his position.
Ayala... 7 Seems he wants to stay but if he does it will have to be on a greatly reduced wage / pay as you play package as he was one of our highest earners. I expect him to leave.
Wharton S ... 6 A shade below the others at CH but only because his distribution let him down and he ended up giving possession away in dangerous areas a little too often.
Phillips.... 7 Great quality but still developing. Does need some appearances to keep his development moving forward.
Pickering.. 6 Not the best left back but apart from being a little short of pace rarely lets the side down.
Midfield
A real quandary here. Thanks to Tyler Morton but I don't believe we need to bring in another midfielder on loan given the array of talent that we have in the middle. It also raises questions over whether O'Neill would have been a good signing or whether he'd have held one of the following back at a significant cost too. A real Band of Brothers here.
Travis.... 6 Still the enforcer but showing signs of ageing legs. Certainly covered every blade of grass but latterly seemed half a yard short of pace.
JRC.... 7 Not a full back by instinct and too short of pace for that role too but a great 'brain' and plenty of talent now that he has found his early form.
WhartonA... 8 This lad will be a '9' before long. Needs to keep his focus and ambition to be a really top player and imo that means staying here for a year or two and living at home with Scott and his Mum and Dad. We do NOT want another Dunny who imo wasted his talent!
Garrett... 7 Not seen the best of Jake yet but he is another Trav rather than another AdamW so his time will come and this coming season might be when he makes his mark.
Buckley..7 Needs to make a full recovery but yet another real creative talent.
Forwards
Up front and it is here that we need to concentrate on as BBD heads off to Spain with a pocket full of dosh after him and his colleagues leaving us as the only top half team with a negative goal difference. It's not difficult to see what our scouts should be looking for is it?
Hedges... 6 Blows hot and cold too often for my liking. Might however he be better on the left should we find a proper striker?
Gallagher.... 4 I like to see a player who appears to like his profession. Big Sam rarely does. Poor with his back to goal for a big lad and a woeful touch. Some League 2 club are missing an excellent centre half.
Szmodics...7 Mr perpetual motion and someone who will always put a strong shift in. No real top drawer quality but still a valuable squad member.
Dolan.... 7 Like Hedges blows hot and cold but unlike Hedges never hides. Tricky and creative but really needs to settle in one position and make it his own.
Dack... 6 Unfortunately I'm of the opinion that we will be bidding farewell to Bradley this summer. A BRFC talisman but another like Ayala who is one of the highest paid and least contributing squad members.
Leonard.... Too soon to judge.
Vale..... See Leonard. Both he and Harry will be one year older and one year stronger next season. Leonard is still only 19 but for Vale however it's a big season as at 22/23 needs to be proving his talent at senior level.
Markanday... Not having a great time at Aberdeen by all accounts but he is a talented player and at a career crossroads. Needs to step up to the plate for his own future.
Wannabees who may come into the picture this season? tbh my knowledge of the Academy kids is sketchy but a few name that spring to mind...
Batty, Barnes, Cirino.
Anybody who watches the Academy on a regular basis will no doubt want to chuck a few names into the ring.
.
Options
GK's
Pears... 7 Came in strongly and took the gloves of Kaminsky when needed. Needs to work on really commanding his area and his defence because there were a couple too many 'John Butcher' moments creeping into his game.
Kaminsky... 7 I think he has the edge but it's open to debate. tbh unless he gets back to No1 I don't see him staying, he's apparently not happy at the moment and as Belgiums No2 or No3 keeper he needs to be playing first team football.
Defence
Brittain.... 6 Solid enough at right back with the versatlility to play at left back if necessary.
Carter... 8 Defensive find of the season. He's come in and forced himself to starting on the team sheet. His form has pushed Ayala, Scott Wharton and youngster Phillips down the queue. I'm sure he will be even better with a settled right back alongside.
Hyam... 7 Last seasons player of the year but showed up a little error prone late on in the season. He needs to keep on top of his game with the above players jostling for his position.
Ayala... 7 Seems he wants to stay but if he does it will have to be on a greatly reduced wage / pay as you play package as he was one of our highest earners. I expect him to leave.
Wharton S ... 6 A shade below the others at CH but only because his distribution let him down and he ended up giving possession away in dangerous areas a little too often.
Phillips.... 7 Great quality but still developing. Does need some appearances to keep his development moving forward.
Pickering.. 6 Not the best left back but apart from being a little short of pace rarely lets the side down.
Midfield
A real quandary here. Thanks to Tyler Morton but I don't believe we need to bring in another midfielder on loan given the array of talent that we have in the middle. It also raises questions over whether O'Neill would have been a good signing or whether he'd have held one of the following back at a significant cost too. A real Band of Brothers here.
Travis.... 6 Still the enforcer but showing signs of ageing legs. Certainly covered every blade of grass but latterly seemed half a yard short of pace.
JRC.... 7 Not a full back by instinct and too short of pace for that role too but a great 'brain' and plenty of talent now that he has found his early form.
WhartonA... 8 This lad will be a '9' before long. Needs to keep his focus and ambition to be a really top player and imo that means staying here for a year or two and living at home with Scott and his Mum and Dad. We do NOT want another Dunny who imo wasted his talent!
Garrett... 7 Not seen the best of Jake yet but he is another Trav rather than another AdamW so his time will come and this coming season might be when he makes his mark.
Buckley..7 Needs to make a full recovery but yet another real creative talent.
Forwards
Up front and it is here that we need to concentrate on as BBD heads off to Spain with a pocket full of dosh after him and his colleagues leaving us as the only top half team with a negative goal difference. It's not difficult to see what our scouts should be looking for is it?
Hedges... 6 Blows hot and cold too often for my liking. Might however he be better on the left should we find a proper striker?
Gallagher.... 4 I like to see a player who appears to like his profession. Big Sam rarely does. Poor with his back to goal for a big lad and a woeful touch. Some League 2 club are missing an excellent centre half.
Szmodics...7 Mr perpetual motion and someone who will always put a strong shift in. No real top drawer quality but still a valuable squad member.
Dolan.... 7 Like Hedges blows hot and cold but unlike Hedges never hides. Tricky and creative but really needs to settle in one position and make it his own.
Dack... 6 Unfortunately I'm of the opinion that we will be bidding farewell to Bradley this summer. A BRFC talisman but another like Ayala who is one of the highest paid and least contributing squad members.
Leonard.... Too soon to judge.
Vale..... See Leonard. Both he and Harry will be one year older and one year stronger next season. Leonard is still only 19 but for Vale however it's a big season as at 22/23 needs to be proving his talent at senior level.
Markanday... Not having a great time at Aberdeen by all accounts but he is a talented player and at a career crossroads. Needs to step up to the plate for his own future.
Wannabees who may come into the picture this season? tbh my knowledge of the Academy kids is sketchy but a few name that spring to mind...
Batty, Barnes, Cirino.
Anybody who watches the Academy on a regular basis will no doubt want to chuck a few names into the ring.
.
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what are the hours anyway? an hour after training once or twice a bloody week? That must be the 'partest' of part time jobs.....Put my name down!
