Well blow me down.

Best ever crop of youngsters?

Maybe Willie has been doing something down Merkland Road after all. 

 

Record Number of AFC International Youngsters

 

Nicky Low and Michel Megginson both played for Scotland U17s this week against Malta along with Fraser Fyvie and Callum McRobbie.The inclusion of Low and Megginson means that the Aberdeen Youth set up now have an incredible 15 internationalists at the club. It is the most the Dons have ever had at the club at the one time.

 

 

The internationalists, who have represented 5 countries this season or in the past, are as follows:

 

Scotland

 

Scott Fowlie Scotland U16

 

Jack Grimmer Scotland U16

 

Fraser Fyvie Scotland U17

 

Ryan Jack U17

 

Callum McRobbie U17

 

Nicky Low U17

 

Mitchel Megginson U17

 

Jonathan Crawford U19

 

Republic of Ireland

 

Anthony Bolger Republic of Ireland U16

 

Northern Ireland

 

Dean Jarvis Northern Ireland U16

 

Sammy Stewart Northern Ireland U21

 

Faroe Islands

 

Gilli Sorensen U17

 

Harllur Hannson U17

 

Rogvi Holm U19

 

Poland

 

Przemyslaw Luksik U17

 

(we have listed the oldest squad the player has represented their country at)

 

 

 

AFC are also hopeful Stirling Smith will get his first cap for the Scotland U19s shortly taking the total to 16. The Scots U19s have a get together with matches next month.

 

The list only includes players currently involved in the AFC Youth set up (ie playing for Aberdeen U17s U19s) - Although Sammy Stewart is in the senior squad he has played for the Aberdeen U19s this season. Obviously Sone Aluko has played for England U19s in the past, Chris Maguire has been capped at U21 level this season etc but they are not included as they are too old to play for the Aberdeen 19s now.

 

 

 

Neil Simpson Neil Simpson Assistant Academy Director is delighted to have so many internationals players on his books."It is hugely encouraging for everyone working in the AFC Soccer Academy and for everyone at the club. It is really good for our people working hard in the background such as the scouts and youth coaches at all the various levels. Most of them will have worked with these kids at some point. It is recognition of all the hard work they put in.

 

"I am naturally delighted to have so many youngsters getting a chance to experience International football. I was lucky enough to play for Scotland at various Youth levels. For me it was an opportunity to gain experience of European football. Then when I came to play in the Dons first team it is was not such a big deal travelling to play in a foreign country. For example you were used to how to prepare for matches, how to adjust your timings and eating habits. The aim is to bring as many of these boys into the senior squad as we can and we want the club to be playing regularly in Europe. Therefore the more kids we can get to play at that level it is going to be of great benefit for the club.

 

"The fact we have so many boys playing at all different international levels U16s - through to U19s shows that the club provides them a pathway to International football at all ages groups. With the reputation we have for Youth football, international coaches will always keep a close eye on our boys at all the different levels. The younger we can take the boys on board and the quicker we can get them in the system the better because once you represent your country at U16 level you will be far more likely to the go on and play for the U17s and then U19s and even the U21s. Jonathan Crawford is an example of a player who has gone up the ladder through all the different levels.

 

"Hopefully Stirling (Smith) will get a chance to play for the Scotland 19s next month and we are all working hard, searching the archives long into the night to see if Peter Pawlett has a Scottish granny!!

 

Miller took over and said the youth set up needed completely revamped. I presume from that that the results of the existing set up were simply not good enough. As has been asked over and over again, where did all of these talented players that didn't get a chance from JC go? Keep greetin stoney.

Well if Maguire is the soul representative and the cream of the crop then I'm glad we're not giving anyone else a run out.  Have you ever considered that we're getting the youth development into shape because it was badly needing looked at, due to the fact there weren't any of them good enough to make the step up?

 

I very much doubt what we have sitting on the bench would bring anything to the first team at the moment.  Why would any manager let them get a run out if that were the case?

 

Are you going to give Billy McNeill credit for the youngsters that Alex Ferguson inherited?

 

 

Jimmy and Jimmy got the best out of these guys, but you probably wont be able to see that.

 

The other side of the coin will be that Jimmy will still get a hard time if AFC slide back into their own habits after he leaves.  Yet Ferguson doesn't seem to get blamed for the 15 years of utter dross he left behind him.

 

100% JMGCASB at straws brigade. 

Well if Maguire is the soul representative and the cream of the crop then I'm glad we're not giving anyone else a run out.  Have you ever considered that we're getting the youth development into shape because it was badly needing looked at, due to the fact there weren't any of them good enough to make the step up?

 

I very much doubt what we have sitting on the bench would bring anything to the first team at the moment.  Why would any manager let them get a run out if that were the case?

 

Why was it badly needing looked at? we took through mcnaughton, mackie, diamond, clark, anderson etc etc etc so it couldnt have been that bad before could it?

 

How do we know none of the young players arnt good enough to make the step up if we never play any of them?

 

@ CTS which of the youngsters in the fergie either did mcneil blood in the first team?

Why was it badly needing looked at? we took through mcnaughton, mackie, diamond, clark, anderson etc etc etc so it couldnt have been that bad before could it?

 

How do we know none of the young players arnt good enough to make the step up if we never play any of them?

 

@ CTS which of the youngsters in the fergie either did mcneil blood in the first team?

 

How do you know they ARE good enough?

unlike some part time fans (and calderwood) i actually take the time to go to reserve games 

My god Stoney, get a GRIP!!

 

The team are doing well and more good news happens our way with almost an entire replacement in first team (numerically any way) as internationals?  What the fuck does AFC have to do to get any respect or praise?

 

Well done to all these boys, keep working hard and we'll see you at 3 O'clock some saturday in the future!!

unlike some part time fans (and calderwood) i actually take the time to go to reserve games 

 

And that makes you more of an authority than the staff employed at AFC to make these decisions? Is it a nice view from up there?

Why was it badly needing looked at? we took through mcnaughton, mackie, diamond, clark, anderson etc etc etc so it couldnt have been that bad before could it?

 

How do we know none of the young players arnt good enough to make the step up if we never play any of them?

 

@ CTS which of the youngsters in the fergie either did mcneil blood in the first team?

players at afc when fergie joined:

 

Archibald, Cooper, Kennedy, McLeish, McMaster, Miller, Rougvie, Strachan to name but a few

so are you saying that you've identified someone who could do a job for us then?  and drop who?

 

The point is no matter what happens calderwood get the blame.

 

We get good news on the youth front - and a snidey comment about calderwood never playing them.

 

You want a competitive team but you want try untested youth as well - which is it?

 

 

Where are they now stoney? Any of them, I'm no fussy. But hey, managers everywhere will be wondering how no-one gave you your break in management.

Why was it badly needing looked at? we took through mcnaughton, mackie, diamond, clark, anderson etc etc etc so it couldnt have been that bad before could it?

 

Because they came through way before Miller and Calderwood came in. Cast your mind back to Paterson's "regime".  Do you really think the following players were cut out for SPL life with Aberdeen:

 

Kevin Soutar - now in the US earning $7,000 a year

Kevin Rutkiewicz - now at St Johnstone

Fergus Tiernan - now a fireman

Murray McCulloch - god knows

Michelle Lombardi - Highland League

Scott Muirhead - Dunfermline

Scott Morrison - Dunfermline

John Stewart - QotS (?)

Mark Peat - Clyde (?)

 

So, yeah, fair point, there was nothing at all wrong with the youth set up before Miller and Calderwood came in... 

Why was it badly needing looked at? we took through mcnaughton, mackie, diamond, clark, anderson etc etc etc so it couldnt have been that bad before could it?

 

How do we know none of the young players arnt good enough to make the step up if we never play any of them?

 

@ CTS which of the youngsters in the fergie either did mcneil blood in the first team?

 

Mcneil regularly played a young Steve Archibald, and signed a very young Gordon Strachan from Dundee.

 

Sir Bill McNeil, Dons Legend?  No, the truth is these were good players who went on to achieve great things working with a new manager.  Some may disagree with this, but Russell Anderson was very average until his last 3 or 4 seasons with the dons.  I don't know why I'm bothering debating this with someone as blinkered as you.

I have to say Stoney, even by your own high standards, this is an absolutely classic bit of self pocketing.

Because they came through way before Miller and Calderwood came in. Cast your mind back to Paterson's "regime".  Do you really think the following players were cut out for SPL life with Aberdeen:

 

Kevin Soutar - now in the US earning $7,000 a year

Kevin Rutkiewicz - now at St Johnstone

Fergus Tiernan - now a fireman

Murray McCulloch - god knows

Michelle Lombardi - Highland League

Scott Muirhead - Dunfermline

Scott Morrison - Dunfermline

John Stewart - QotS (?)

Mark Peat - Clyde (?)

 

So, yeah, fair point, there was nothing at all wrong with the youth set up before Miller and Calderwood came in... 

 

How many of those players played in the 2-1 win at parkhead, ending one of the longest home undefeated records in teh history of football something several world class teams couldnt do.

 

They were good enough that night though wernt they

How many of those players played in the 2-1 win at parkhead, ending one of the longest home undefeated records in teh history of football something several world class teams couldnt do.

 

They were good enough that night though wernt they

 

Apparently, but not good enough to play at SPL level on a consistent basis, were they? Unless of course, you want us to be in the first division? (Which you probably do, give you something else to moan about)

That was a freak result stoney.  Same as when QoTS beat us.  

How many of those players played in the 2-1 win at parkhead, ending one of the longest home undefeated records in teh history of football something several world class teams couldnt do.

 

They were good enough that night though wernt they

 

They were also "good enough" to lose 3-0 to Partick Thistle.

Apparently, but not good enough to play at SPL level on a consistent basis, were they? Unless of course, you want us to be in the first division? (Which you probably do, give you something else to moan about)

 

We will never know will we as calderwood binned them all without giving half them a chance 

We will never know will we as calderwood binned them all without giving half them a chance 

 

Why has no one else given them a chance in the SPL then? Cos they're shite. That's why.

We will never know will we as calderwood binned them all without giving half them a chance 

 

They got their chance to prove themselves in reserve games and unders games. They were deemed surplus.  

 

Keep going Stoney, this is brilliant, you haven't got a fucking clue!

Anyway well done to afc, willie, len and all the loons.

Keep up the good work and hope to see some of you breaking through to the full international team in the future.

THREAD CLOSED

We will never know will we as calderwood binned them all without giving half them a chance 

 

Put yer fishing rod away man!

Don't lock the thread, Stoneys fucking hilarious!

Anyway well done to afc, willie, len and all the loons.

Keep up the good work and hope to see some of you breaking through to the full international team in the future.

 

i concur