Short Academy player profiles

[malek]

Arron Pratt (2'nd year).

First choice academy keeper who is said to be good shot-stopper, with decent reaction, but who is lacking in hight. On OS it said he is 1,88 tall, but I believe it is a mistake, and that he stands at 1,78. Sadly, I can't think of many first choice keepers who are that tall.

Dale Newton (1'st year).

Dale was talked of as fantastic prospect even before he joined academy, rated as even better than Jamisson and O'donnell. He is supposed to have the talent and appearance of the future first team keeper. However he spent out injured most of last year, and his injury problems kicked again early this season. Club signed another keeper in case he proved unable to shake off his injury problems.

Leon Lekaj (2'nd year).

Rocky's younger brother. At home in both full-back positions, and can cover as either defensive or central midfielder. Strong, tenacious, and capable of scoring goals from the 2'nd plan.

Josh Wilde (1'st year).

One I really don't know much about. He is supposed to be nippy left back who likes to get up and down the field, and capable of putting in some decent deliveries.

Nick Wood (2'nd year).

Central defender, like his older brother. He is tall, decent in the air, but needs to work hard in hope of emulating his older brother. Both Hadfield and Wragg are ahead of him in the packing order for now.

James Hadfield (2'nd year).

Another big strong central defender, who won prise from academy manager Sean McAuley on more than one occasion. Still, he is prone to making a mistake every now and then, that will hopefully vanish from his game once he get bit more games under his belt, and experience that goes with them.

Jason Mok (2'nd year).

Irish left-back born in South Africa. He was carried off the field in the last game with supposedly heavy injury. He is decent in the air, and apparently batter defender than he is going forward.

Vadaine Oliver (1'st year).

Strong and mobile utility player who wore number 10 at his back playing for the under 16's. Equally good at defence, and in midfield he is the one big things are expected from. Sadly he is another one who was carried from the field injured against Huddersfield.

Max Wragg (2'nd year).

Started out as a full-back, but was switched to central defence by Sean McAuley recently. Moved proved as a good one, and his partnership with James Hadfield won big prise from academy manager, just as his performance in last few games. Still, at 1.75 it seems he is laking in both hight and strength for a future first team central defender.

Richard Stirrup (2'nd year).

Sheffield born central midfielder who is decent on the ball, and gives his all. Still, he tends to vanish from the game at times, and will have to work hard to impose himself more on the game, ad grow, both in stature, and in confidence.

Ashley Worsfold (2'nd year).

Winger/striker with bags of pace, but who aint confident finisher or good crosser of the ball. Will need to work on this as well as on his upper-body strength this season in order to cut it.

Tom Connelly (2'nd year).

Tall central midfielder who didn't get much chance last season, but featured more prominently this year. Seems that he doesn't lack physical presence, but will need to work on his passing and technique.

James Cottingham (1'st year).

One of our brightest prospect. Young attacking midfielder who is currently training with the first team could be the next one to make a step up. Great on the ball, and with a good engine, and awareness of what is going on around him. He caught the eye as a 14 years old in that 'Academy patrons evening' video, with fine display of skill. Big things are expected of him.

Callum Harrison (2'nd year).

Another tall and lanky defensive/central midfielder. He is lacking in pace, and upper body strength, but is very good passer of the ball who always looks to put the ball on the ground and play in the right way. Regular for reserves who is probably best remembered for a fine hook he received from Billy Sharpe in defeat to United reserves last season. He is another one who was heavily prised by academy manager Sean McAuley and his staff.

Danny Kirkland (1'st year).

Left footed player who can cover many positions (LB, LWB, CM, AM). He has great engine, and is decent on the ball. He demonstrated his talent with the brilliant hat-trick on tournament in Italy. Scored from a free-kick, long range volley, and after mazzy run.

Patrick Meehan (1'st year).

Brought on the 2 years deal from Australia on recommendation from Owls ex-player Adem Poric, who linked him to young Brett Emerton.

Mukhtar Mohammed (2'nd year).

He is the Sheffield born Somalian winger. Mukhtar was first prised by Paul Sturrock who described him as one of the faster players he ever seem, but with a match stick legs. He has great engine, but seems to lack in confidence, and with the final ball delivery. Right now he lacks strength to impose himself even at the academy level.

Jack Barnett (1'st year).

One who I really hope will make it, as he is the first player from our academy I ever heard described with those magic words - playmaker. Tiny in stature, but with great range of passing, and vicious set-piece deliveries. Left footed central midfielder scored couple of goals for academy this season (one a beautiful free-kick), and hopefully will be able to build up onto this. He spent most of last year out with a back injury, so he is now known among his teammates as "brokeback" Jack http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

Nathan Modest (1'st year).

17 years old striker who already made his first team debut (away at Cardiff), and didn't fail to impress even played out of position on right wing. Stocky built, strong, with broad shoulders and lightening quick, with bags of confidence. (if it is to believe Kivo, he has massive arse too http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It is bit surprising for player that quick, to like to play with his back to the goal. He was even asked to quit football, and join England athletic team to try to qualify for Olympics in London. He was capped for England schoolboys, and was scouted by Newcastle for quite some time. Huge prospect !

Charles Tunnard (2'nd year).

Burly striker who is comfortable both upfront, and as attacking midfielder. Was regular for both academy side, and reserves last season, but with addition of some talented strikers this year, he didn't get so much playing time this year. Still, it seems that he doesn't lacks any confidence when on the football pitch.

Tom Hall (1'st year).

Intelligent player with great off the ball movement, and who likes to bring the ball down, and get other players involved. He is our academy top scorer with 3 goals this season.

Liam Palmer (1'st year).

Quick, athletic and skillful. He is equally at home upfront, on right wing, and when played in diamond shaped midfield, just behind two strikers. Academy regular penalty taker, and calm finisher who lost his place early in the season, but grew in confidence, and returned better than ever.

Edited December 26, 2008 by malek

[darra]

When are you doing the profiles of the tall academy players?

[Chazgswfc]

Cheers for that malek, a good read.

[@owlstalk]

Nice one Malek - appreciated

[malek]

I just wish I reviewed it before posting, I sound half literate, and dyslexic

[Bluesteel]

Good read, cheers

[darra]

good read mate.

[The Wall]

Whatever happened to Matt Bowman, does he still play for us?

He was meant to be alright wasn't he?

[malek]

Whatever happened to Matt Bowman, does he still play for us?

He was meant to be alright wasn't he?

Youngest player to appear for our first team since 2'nd WW.

Still he wasn't THAT good, and was released once his scholarship run out.

[Kel]

Didn't realised he'd been released, thought he was still here!

Biggest nose ever.

[Kel]

God NO

[Lincowl]

Why have the little oiks graffitied their names on walls?