They are different levels to us, but still the same principle. What is the difference between a player not playing at a top Premier League when they are 21 and maturing to play for them and a player not playing at a League 1 club when they are 21 and maturing to play for them.
That’s exactly my point! There is no difference. It IS the same principle! These players you mentioned didn’t get to 21 and not have any senior appearances under their belts! Most if not all players by 21 should have some senior football under their belts, whether that be first team games at a pro club or loan spells at non league level. Has Phillips even been on loan anywhere and played adults football of any kind?
Tim Sherwood is pretty experienced in youth development and he was only recently saying if players are still playing u23 football by the time they are 21 they need a reality check and should get out and play first team at non league level in order to play against adults.
How about an example for our level. Alex Woodyard released at 20 years old from us when we were in League 2. Now playing a key role in a team looking to get promotion to the Championship.
Your example of Alex Woodyard, if nothing else, proves the point in question above! Released by Southend at 20 he went off and played 200 odd games in Conference / Conf South for 5 different non league clubs before a promotion with Lincoln and transfer to Peterborough at the age of 24/25.....Would he have got there had he sat in the 23s for another two seasons?
The Rashford point was about opportunity, he only got his because of injuries and now look. In fact, he only had 1 goal in 8 games for their u23 side that season. Did he deserve that opportunity?
Everything is about opportunity. Without trust and opportunity every single player would flounder.
However, if you honestly believe Rashford only got an opportunity because of injury then you are,without wanting to be rude, foolish!
He just got his opportunity earlier than he maybe would have, but Rashford would’ve been earmarked for that opportunity for the previous 5 seasons and his form would’ve been judged on more than the previous 8 u23 games!! More likely he was pushing every day training with the squad and had actually proved to be a very reliable player in those 23s games despite only scoring 1 goal!
Physicality isn't just about height. There's so many different aspects and body types, not to mention knowing how to use it. Going from playing against 16/17 year olds to against 25-30 year olds who are more experienced can be a big jump for some.
Who mentioned height? I didn’t make any reference to his height at all! I mentioned his physicality and the likelihood that he’d done most of his growing. That means height, weight, muscle growth and most importantly speed, agility and strength.
Football is an athletic sprinting sport that requires a degree of physical attributes.....unless of course you are uniquely blessed with exceptional talent - and I mean exceptional - ala Messi (who incidentally is blessed physically with blistering agilty
and speed) before anyone else mentions him and uses the most unique talent in history as a one off example!!!!
From what was said about Phillips last season, he must have been good to earn an improved contract during the summer. Unfortunately he has been injured for most part of the last 6 months, but he deserves to be a sub at least IMO.
Like I’ve said several times I’m not saying he’s not talented or not a good player, just that at 21 he is teetering on the brink of missing the boat....
You have to consider this....most u23 sides play their best 17/18/19 year olds so at 21 you are effectively playing two years down in age groups.....
As an example.....our 18s lost 5-1 to Peterborough earlier this season....3 days later Peterborough brought almost the same team to Southend to play an u23 fixture....we won 5-2!!
Harry didn’t play that day but Wabo did and scored a hatrick....on Twitter we read Wabo scores 3 in a 5-2 win v Peterborough reserves.....and clamour for a first team call up!!! In reality he scored 3 against the youth team (16/17/18 year olds) the gaps massive.
At 21 any player playing U23s football is more than likely competing against other clubs best teenagers....is a misleading guide to form.
Southampton tomorrow are highly unlikely to be full of 21 year olds. I’d wager a bet that the bulk of their team is 19 with a spattering of 20s and more than likely several 17/18 year olds who will be the pick of their youth team......
That’s why they’ve entered the comp and why the FA / Premier League wanted the Cat 1 clubs in it...to give their real best teenage prospects the chance to play some adults football......
