T
the_khl
Guest
Admittedly I didn't get to watch that much of the Youth/Reserves during Houlliers tenure but looking at the names from back then compared to our Youth-players of today there's a gulf between them in class. Or at least, in potential.
Pacheco is probably the most obvious talent of the lot, who's yet to be tested at firstteam level. The likes of Le Tallec and Sinama Pongolle came with great reputations too but I still believe this lad is of a different class. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him start against Fiorentina for one.
Just below Pachecho, and this is where the real difference is between now and then I reckon, you'll find far more than a handful of prospects whom are all more or less looking like some of the biggest talents playing in England these days.
Eccleston - Extremely pacey, winger/striker-type with loads of tricks up his sleeve. Has got a real eye for goal and could be taylor made for our left side in attack in a few years.
Irwin - Despite his small stature he really looks like a player who's got loads of quality in almost every aspect of the game - appart from in the air maybe. Probably the closest thing to a Gerrard-type of player we've got. (There's more than just a long way for him to go if he's going to get anywhere near Stevie's class but there's something there).
Amoo - Strong, pacey winger with a rapidly improving technique too. Could be closer to a first-team outing than a few of his older teammates really. Seems to have got a lot of the same qualities as Babel really, hopefully he'll just keep on improving.
Kacaniklic - Another rather pacey, trickery left-winger with a decent cross. Has probably not been at his best form of late but he seems like he's got a lot of talent.
Buchtmann - Haven't seen much of him to be honest but he was classified as one of the best players at the U17 European Championship. Powerful left back with ability to play at left wing as well.
Mavinga - He was simply immense in his recent outing. Pacey, strong FB/CB with good skills on the ball too. He really looks like an amazingly talented and strong defender despite his tender age.
Poloskei - I've only seen him play once - against Everton - (this due to his long-term injury) but boy he was impressive. Like a Didi Hamann on speed. Strong, tall, great vision and a goal-threat. Quite skillful as well. He got injured again though so it's difficult to say whether we'd risk to tie him up on a permanent contract. He looked class though.
Palsson - Strong defensive midfielder who's probably going to be turned into a central defender over time. Has already been capped as cpt. for the Reserves. A leader with loads of potential. Strong and determined.
Saric - An oldschool no. 10. Great vision, great technique and a real goal-threat. Good pace too. He's still bulking up a bit though after beeing injured for most parts of his first Season here. When he settles in and finds his best form he could sooner rather than later be introduced at first team level.
And then there's striker Dalle Valle, defender Ayala, goalies Bouzanis and Hansen and right-backs Mavinga and Darby too.
Just to mention a few.
Pacheco is probably the most obvious talent of the lot, who's yet to be tested at firstteam level. The likes of Le Tallec and Sinama Pongolle came with great reputations too but I still believe this lad is of a different class. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him start against Fiorentina for one.
Just below Pachecho, and this is where the real difference is between now and then I reckon, you'll find far more than a handful of prospects whom are all more or less looking like some of the biggest talents playing in England these days.
Eccleston - Extremely pacey, winger/striker-type with loads of tricks up his sleeve. Has got a real eye for goal and could be taylor made for our left side in attack in a few years.
Irwin - Despite his small stature he really looks like a player who's got loads of quality in almost every aspect of the game - appart from in the air maybe. Probably the closest thing to a Gerrard-type of player we've got. (There's more than just a long way for him to go if he's going to get anywhere near Stevie's class but there's something there).
Amoo - Strong, pacey winger with a rapidly improving technique too. Could be closer to a first-team outing than a few of his older teammates really. Seems to have got a lot of the same qualities as Babel really, hopefully he'll just keep on improving.
Kacaniklic - Another rather pacey, trickery left-winger with a decent cross. Has probably not been at his best form of late but he seems like he's got a lot of talent.
Buchtmann - Haven't seen much of him to be honest but he was classified as one of the best players at the U17 European Championship. Powerful left back with ability to play at left wing as well.
Mavinga - He was simply immense in his recent outing. Pacey, strong FB/CB with good skills on the ball too. He really looks like an amazingly talented and strong defender despite his tender age.
Poloskei - I've only seen him play once - against Everton - (this due to his long-term injury) but boy he was impressive. Like a Didi Hamann on speed. Strong, tall, great vision and a goal-threat. Quite skillful as well. He got injured again though so it's difficult to say whether we'd risk to tie him up on a permanent contract. He looked class though.
Palsson - Strong defensive midfielder who's probably going to be turned into a central defender over time. Has already been capped as cpt. for the Reserves. A leader with loads of potential. Strong and determined.
Saric - An oldschool no. 10. Great vision, great technique and a real goal-threat. Good pace too. He's still bulking up a bit though after beeing injured for most parts of his first Season here. When he settles in and finds his best form he could sooner rather than later be introduced at first team level.
And then there's striker Dalle Valle, defender Ayala, goalies Bouzanis and Hansen and right-backs Mavinga and Darby too.
Just to mention a few.
