Random footie

[Aidan11]

I noticed MK Dons played AFC Wimbledon last night.

I'm surprised there wasn't more publicity about this game even though it was the JPT. It was always believed it would be a highly charged match for both sets of supporters.

I'm guessing it passed off without incident.

[Gingerfinch]

I noticed MK Dons played AFC Wimbledon last night.

I'm surprised there wasn't more publicity about this game even though it was the JPT. It was always believed it would be a highly charged match for both sets of supporters.

I'm guessing it passed off without incident.

There was a bit of trouble at the last game, in Milton Keynes. Forgot they were playing, tbh.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Who's this 15 year old Norwegian who's been picked for the Norwegian National squad and has had interest from Barcelona and Man Utd amongst others?

[dan08]

Who's this 15 year old Norwegian who's been picked for the Norwegian National squad and has had interest from Barcelona and Man Utd amongst others?

Martin Odegaard. Haven't seen him play but he's supposed to be the next big thing.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Who's this 15 year old Norwegian who's been picked for the Norwegian National squad and has had interest from Barcelona and Man Utd amongst others?

Martin Odegaard. Haven't seen him play but he's supposed to be the next big thing.

Expect Sussex will know a bit about him.

[sussexpob]

Very hard to judge Martin Ødegaard at this stage in his career, as it is with anyone his age.

If you are going to ask me "does he look a prospect", then its a massive yes. Out of any player under 18 I have seen play, the only people that young to look as good to me were Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi, but all were 2 years old than him.

What does he have? His intricate and intelligent passing is his best skill and he can split defenses with a through ball, has good control when running at pace, is not afraid to drop deep to get the ball and exploit the space in the front of the back 4, turns on a sixpence, classic Messi style "low centre of gravity" type movement that gives him the change of direction that kills defenders.

What he doesnt have is the quickness and acceleration of the likes of a top, top player, but you are comparing him to full adults.... he isnt slow at the moment, and I assume he will get quicker, its just a question of how much.... I honestly dont know how much pace people develop between 15-18.

Another question mark for me is his size and how coaches view him developing. Currently I see him as a David Silva type of "sit in the pocket and pass" type of player, but if he can improve his strength and gets quicker, then he has the skills to become a goalscoring attacking midfielder/classic number 10.

Other than that, I would say he is a little like young Ronaldo at Man United. Has the touch and the pretty bells and bows to his game, but sometime his close control can let him down, other times he tries too much and needs to learn to reign it in play simple... but like him, capable of things that others arent.

It might sound negative, but then again, I am comparing a 15 year old to adults. He is a 10/10 prospect, make no doubt about that. If he fulfills his potential then we could be looking at an all time legend, but for that he needs not only hard work, a lot of development, and most of all, a lot of luck.

He does seem very down to earth though, very mature, very cool, and very respectful of his manager and coaches.

Personally think he needs to stay here for another year or two where he is getting football.

Love to see him do well for obvious reasons.... he is a local lad too, born a few minutes drive away.

[sussexpob]

Obviously as well, if he signed for Man United I could see some donkey journeyman Burnley defender breaking his leg in 16 places and never seeing him walk again.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Cheers for the info Sussex, will keep an eye for him, see how he develops. Critical choices for him and his advisors in the near future which could decide if he makes it or not.

[yuppie]

Cheers for the info Sussex, will keep an eye for him, see how he develops. Critical choices for him and his advisors in the near future which could decide if he makes it or not.

Dont go to Chealski, you wont get a game untill your 25, and by then you will have been loaned out to 12 different clubs

[SaintPowelly]

Should come to Saints, we have a proven record of developing players.

[yuppie]

Should come to Saints, we have a proven record of developing players.

Yep, proven track record

[budgetmeansbudget]

A spell at a Championship club like Bournemouth would do him no harm at all. Actually it would because he would get no protection from referees and although he would fit in with the way we try to play the game he would come up against opposition who take no prisoners.

[sussexpob]

Should come to Saints, we have a proven record of developing players.

I don't think he will be any use to you at the moment. He couldn't play in the Premier League, not for a while. He is small and so any defender that stays tight to him can simply hustle him out of a game, he does well in a League where most defences are probably as good as Championship to League One quality, so they give him the space to operate in without his strength becoming an issue.

While being small isn't a problem (someone like Aguero is damn strong, Messi also is much more durable then people give him credit), he has to get stronger, and his all round skill wont standout as much in other leagues. The Championship might be a good shout simply because a bit of rough and tumble treatment might help to toughen him up.

Personally though, looking at the type of player he is, I don't want him to go to England..... a player of his type would have all of the technique beaten out of him by the time he is 21, he simply isn't the type of player that English teams produce, or particularly know how to handle.

It would do Norway a favour if Barcelona were interested, get him in La Mesia finishing school where they have developed players like him. Then again, would he stand out there and get the first team opportunities over Spanish players?

[yuppie]

Rio wants to manage Man United one day

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/95091 ... ter-United

Cant see it, but would be interested to see him as a manager. Just wonder if his ego could take starting with a team in the lower leagues. Or is he maybe letting QPR know that when Harry's done he can step up?

[sussexpob]

Rio wants to manage Man United one day

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/95091 ... ter-United

Cant see it, but would be interested to see him as a manager. Just wonder if his ego could take starting with a team in the lower leagues. Or is he maybe letting QPR know that when Harry's done he can step up?

He was an intelligent reader of the game as a player, and when he is not being an absolute prat he can be a decent analyser of the game too..... not sure he has the personality to step into management though, I find him a bit arrogant and childish tbh.