[hardtobeat]

Played first half I think

[Dan]

Ashworth seems to be getting nice reviews from his loan out  on Burton which is nice to see.

If as is almost certain we stay down we're desperate for the academy to fill holes in the squad to make us competitive - so if Ashworth can become solid competition for Townsend, along with Taylor who's had excellent reviews and seems ready to step up that goes someway to plugging the need for "defensive" signings outside of a new right back for next season.

If one of the forward players Clearly/Faal could make the step up to first team squad member, that'd be a good haul and set us up well for next season and leave what precious funds we will have for more targeted improvements.

Of course, we've generally been reluctant to rely too much on the academy in favour of hoping ageing frees do the job instead, but we're at the stage of getting forced into it.

[Adder]

Where are we with Faal and his contract ? It looks to me as though his contract is up at the end of the season ?
Cleary and Malcolm have 1 year left on their deals. Cleary certainly looks to have something and knows where the back of the net is. I'd hope he would be featuring in the 1st team squad next year.

[gazberg]

Sule scored a screamer yesterday for the PL2 team. Not afraid to have a go.

[lewisant]

Anyone have any idea how Fellows has done?!

[graka]

Anyone have any idea how Fellows has done?!

In and out the team at Crawley who finished 90th
Doesn’t bode well for him having a future with us

[Dexy]

Anyone have any idea how Fellows has done?!

33 games , played a few different positions.
Wouldn't rule him out just yet.

[overseas baggie]

In and out the team at Crawley who finished 90th
Doesn’t bode well for him having a future with us

Same division that we recruited 25 year old Thomas-Asante from…

[graka]

Same division that we recruited 25 year old Thomas-Asante from…

Being top scorer and a regular for a team vying for promotion is a bit different to not much game time at the team who finished 90th
I’m not saying he won’t make it, I just doubt it will be at championship level

[BalisPen]

Victory over Leeds yesterday means we're in a po with forest and could meet the vile scum in the final.

[KN22]

Same division that we recruited 25 year old Thomas-Asante from…

He’s 24.

[Dan]

In and out the team at Crawley who finished 90th
Doesn’t bode well for him having a future with us

Fellows is very young, one of two teenagers to have played over 2000 minutes in league 2 this season (in general only 8 teenagers in the football league have played over 2000 minutes this season)

At his age just getting out there and getting regular game time in pro football puts him ahead of most his peers. Doubtful he's ready for us, but shouldn't be written off for not pulling up trees either given his age and the fact it's his first loan.

[Baggies]

Fellows is very young, one of two teenagers to have played over 2000 minutes in league 2 this season (in general only 8 teenagers in the football league have played over 2000 minutes this season)

At his age just getting out there and getting regular game time in pro football puts him ahead of most his peers. Doubtful he's ready for us, but shouldn't be written off for not pulling up trees either given his age and the fact it's his first loan.

Thanks for the research Dan. My first instinct was to agree with Graka, but then I forget he's just 19. If he is still not managing much next season then that's a bit different, but there's time yet.

[JMullen95]

Whitwell academy player of the season. Really think this guy has a chance of becoming a regular in the first-team squad next season along with Taylor.

[OhBilics]

Really think this guy has a chance of becoming a regular in the first-team squad next season

Really? Is he that good? He's only 17 according to the OS.

[JMullen95]

Really? Is he that good? He's only 17 according to the OS.

17 but regular stand out in our 23s team. Might need another year in the 23s but can’t be far away now. We’ll see what happens.

[SmethDan]

Whitwell academy player of the season. Really think this guy has a chance of becoming a regular in the first-team squad next season along with Taylor.

On the Summer/Next Season thread it was loosely rumoured (yet not substantiated) that the Vile had bought an unnamed member of our academy for £1M.

When I read the name Whitwell in the opening line of your post I thought you were going to tell us it was Harry Whitwell. I was about to disappear in a cloud of flames and smoke accompanied by a bang.

Chuffed more than you know that you're breaking different news. This lad's got a very good reputation, I really hope we can keep hold of him and see him develop to his full potential with Albion.

[JMullen95]

On the Summer/Next Season thread it was loosely rumoured (yet not substantiated) that the Vile had bought an unnamed member of our academy for £1M.

When I read the name Whitwell in the opening line of your post I thought you were going to tell us it was Harry Whitwell. I was about to disappear in a cloud of flames and smoke accompanied by a bang.

Chuffed more than you know that you're breaking different news. This lad's got a very good reputation, I really hope we can keep hold of him and see him develop to his full potential with Albion.

No, don’t think it’s Whitwell. I’ll try and find out who, if anyone at all, it is that’s gone to Villa for 1 million. I don’t referee as many games at the academy anymore but when I’m next there I’ll see if I can find out.

[Adder]

No, don’t think it’s Whitwell. I’ll try and find out who, if anyone at all, it is that’s gone to Villa for 1 million. I don’t referee as many games at the academy anymore but when I’m next there I’ll see if I can find out.

Whether he still classes as academy I'm not sure but I was wondering about Cleary given that he's only got one year left on his deal - we may not turn down that sort of offer. Would much prefer to see him stay though.

[Atomic]

Whitwell academy player of the season. Really think this guy has a chance of becoming a regular in the first-team squad next season along with Taylor.

Very little chance. What I've seen of Whitwell he has obvious promise but he's not Championship ready yet. Perhaps the season after, but I'd be amazed if he's a regular squad member next season.

[Albionfan1983]

Looks like we are listening to offers for Cleary. Cutbacks are likely too

[johnny Cash]

Cleary should be given a proper chance next season. He has earnt it. It also only takes a relatively small degree of success as a striker at his age for his price to skyrocket.

[SmethDan]

Looks like we are listening to offers for Cleary. Cutbacks are likely too

I think everyone and their dog knows the club's facing cutbacks. Any links to suggest we're listening to offers for an academy player who's rarely featured in first team squads? Or are you speculating/fishing through an ice hole in the hope of a general meltdown on the academy thread?

[Hunnington Baggie]

I think everyone and their dog knows the club's facing cutbacks. Any links to suggest we're listening to offers for an academy player who's rarely featured in first team squads? Or are you speculating/fishing through an ice hole in the hope of a general meltdown on the academy thread?

judging by post history, probably the latter.

[Dan]

No one bothered to sign Cleary last summer when he was on a free so i'd be surprised if he was attracting much interest now.