I mean, you're overlooking the most spectacular/bizarre part which is that, somehow, if you trace the conversation back, this is all on elaborate ploy to get the likes of Tim Sherwood more managerial roles...
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Player Alfie Devine
- Thread starter The Fighting Cock
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Yes.
That is exactly what I would do.
In the lower leagues the midweek games often have reduced attendance in half empty grounds.
If there are 17 home league fixtures, rather than 23, then more people may attend the fewer fixtures and when calculated at the end of the season these numbers may add up to roughly the same.
All lower league clubs would also be guarenteed a competative home cup tie against Premier League opposition.
Raising the standard of The Championship should be the priority of the F.A. with a view to the league becoming a place for British managers to gain experience and credibility with progression to the Premier League.
Always interesting to look back at these things the guardian does.
Alfie was in the Premier league 2020 version, (although he’s born 2004).
Some big names in the 2020 international version (all born in 2003)Including one who has made his way to Spurs…….
www.theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com
Alfie was in the Premier league 2020 version, (although he’s born 2004).
Some big names in the 2020 international version (all born in 2003)Including one who has made his way to Spurs…….
Next Generation 2020: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs
We pick the best young players at each club born between 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004, an age band known as first-year scholars
www.theguardian.com
Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football
The ‘Tanzanian Mbappé’, Juan Pablo Ángel’s son and the next Kai Havertz are among our players born in 2003
www.theguardian.com
Of the listed players I think Alfie is the only one that has continued his progress. As far as I can see the others are all playing non-league or have found something else to do.Always interesting to look back at these things the guardian does.
Alfie was in the Premier league 2020 version, (although he’s born 2004).
Some big names in the 2020 international version (all born in 2003)Including one who has made his way to Spurs…….
Next Generation 2020: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs
We pick the best young players at each club born between 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004, an age band known as first-year scholars
Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football
The ‘Tanzanian Mbappé’, Juan Pablo Ángel’s son and the next Kai Havertz are among our players born in 2003
I don't think whoever makes those lists actually watches any games tbf. They picked Willhoft-King for us in 2022 and George Feeney for 2024, completely clueless. I think they pick based on who has articles online about them to save time, Han had one because the Indonesian FA were chasing him and Feeney because he transferred. Doesn't seem a lot of thought goes in to it.
David Hytner put his name to the 2024 list.
I’d hope they speak to someone at the club at youth level. They cover the club so should have contacts there.
Or they just rely on AI. Might ask chat gpt. See if they give any different names for 2025.
The ChatGpt idea is a good one, you should do that. The result would be interesting ... maybe AI will even make up players that don't exist.
Not a single one of those 20 Next Generation EPL player have made it - not even close reallyAlways interesting to look back at these things the guardian does.
Alfie was in the Premier league 2020 version, (although he’s born 2004).
Some big names in the 2020 international version (all born in 2003)Including one who has made his way to Spurs…….
Next Generation 2020: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs
We pick the best young players at each club born between 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004, an age band known as first-year scholars
Which makes it even more amusing when people on here write off young players as having zero chance of ever making it.
Talent ID, skill profiling, development planning, and luck.
So many things needs to go right for a player to reach their peak. How many people thought Olise would be the best wide player in the world when he was in Readings academy?
Bit predictable. LWB. And I’d go for him too without watching any games or ever having seen him play 90mins.
I’m hoping he plays at Stevenage for the development games this season so get to see what he’s about.
ChatGPT answer.
Luca Williams-Barnett currently looks like the standout in this age band:
- Born October 2008, so fits perfectly in your range.
- Scored 9 goals in 8 U18 Premier League South matches early in the season (per TheSpurs.News, Sept 2025).
- Frequently praised internally; has trained with the U21s.
- Viewed as Spurs’ next attacking prodigy after Mikey Moore.
See the Woolwich lad is in Spain. Deportivo La Coruña. Not La Liga level though.
A bit of a blast from the past that club name. Sure they used to be in Europe relatively frequently.
Personally, I would make each league 20 teams, but add two more full professional leagues.
So;
Premier League
Championship
League 1
League 2
League 3
League 4
Conference
And the rest as normal.
With a greater share of the money generated going to the lower leagues.
Went bust about ten years ago or so. Ended up in division 3 and are now back to division 2.
But, aye, were regularly in the CL before then. Fun side to watch. Had a banger of a CL tie against Milan IIRC.
Diego Tristan, Djalminha, and Rivaldo notable Depor alumni iirc?
Done some wiki-ing, they won La Liga in 2000! Also forgot about Naybet.
Roy Makaay, JC Valeron, Bebeto.
Trying to recall their big arsed DM. Was it Mauro Silva?
Charlie Patino ended up in Italy with a lower lge club I think. Micky Mellon still at Burnley, on loan at Oldham. The rest seem to have disappeared. Bit of a lesson for young lads in youth teams. Brings it home as to how few of them will make it in any way. I remember Mourinho saying the best young players at Spurs were 16 yrs old .
Alfie and Dane Scarlett.
Hope this doesn’t happen to LWB .
Probably picked Alfie because he played in the cup for us at 16.
Gold:
Alfie Devine (Preston North End)
Alfie Devine continues to get plenty of Championship experience with Preston as they also drew at the weekend, 1-1 at Millwall.The midfielder came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the game but has started the majority of matches for North End since joining in the summer.
The 21-year-old's cameo from the bench earned him a 6.5 in the Lancashire Post's player ratings with the words: "Threw himself straight into the contest and showed plenty of bite. Made a positive impact overall."
Devine has notched two goals and two assists from his 14 matches for Preston so far this season.
Alfie Devine (Preston North End)
Alfie Devine is enjoying himself at Preston and the Championship club are very happy with the 21-year-old midfielder.Devine has notched two goals and two assists from his 14 matches for North End so far this season and it seems very unlikely that they will part company in the January transfer window at this point barring a huge shift in circumstances in the next month and a half, particularly because Preston have an option to buy the midfielder, who also signed a new contract before departing.
Verdict: Stay
And it's Eidur Gudjohnsen's son who scored the winner for Blackburn.