Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson

[Southcoastffc]

I've been watching some of the U23 video clips and this guy looks a cracker of an attacking midfielder.  The club profile says:
"Joined the Academy following a spell on trial. A very intelligent player who can best be described as a creator and scorer of goals. He started the 2016/17 season with the Under-18s, but after some great performances was soon promoted to Peter Grant's PL2 side.  He plays both centrally and out wide, and has a knack for scoring from long range including a half volley with his weak foot against Boro, and another great goal from outside the box against Norwich City in the PL Cup."

He's about 5' 8" so another without great height or, as far as I can tell, great physicality but clearly a great talent and I wonder what anyone who's seen him play live thinks?

[Ronnief]

Have seen him play at Motspur Park on many occasions.  He must be very close to being in the first team squad.  He has an excellent strike and is probably a better striker of the ball than any in the first team, more accurate too. He also is good in midfield and tracks back to defend well.  He fits SJ's footballing plan very well.

[res]

Lots of good long range strikes for the U23s, especially from the left to the top right hand corner, but is he strong enough for the first team?

[Southcoastffc]

Thanks Ronnief - and res, you raise the question behind my question - does he have the strength/physicality for a first team place?

[MikeW]

Then again, you could make an argument that more than a couple 'first team players' are not really strong enough for a place?

[Woolly Mammoth]

Thanks Ronnief - and res, you raise the question behind my question - does he have the strength/physicality for a first team place?

The youngsters already have more strength and physicality that some of the foreign imports who look as though they could do with a good meal.

[MikeW]

Agree Woolly: I really would like to see some of these home grown (or at least home coached) youngsters get a chance.  We have over capacity in bought in (or borrowed) foreign imports who rarely contribute to the squad, frequently disappear altogether and are costing us money.  Many of the academy players are very successful at their level or age and need a chance.  Someone be brave please.  Most likely not our current Coach.

[copthornemike]

Certainly Thorsteinsson looks a very good, even exciting, prospect.
However as rightly alluded to by the OP the question of his 'physicality' is an obstacle in terms of getting a first team start (although could be used off the bench).
If our first XI were a Sheff Wed / Derby type of team (to name but two examples) in terms of physical size or strength it is probably not difficult to introduce a smaller but technically gifted player.
However our starting XI often appears physically inferior to many Championship teams throughout the team which can be an issue when we are not in possession of the ball and/or introducing a smaller young player.
Even Ream and Kalas, two of our taller players are often smaller than their counterparts, e.g. the recent Millwall match. 

[filham]

Oh, it would be so encouraging to see a home grown youngster come in to our team and make good. However it is true that really all we dare make space for is someone with physical strength.

[Southcoastffc]

I don't know when JDT, who is Icelandic, joined the academy but am not sure he can really be called home grown. Whatever, he is a great talent.

[BedsFFC]

Some of you do realise we have a boy in the team who has been with us since he was 8?

[MikeW]

BedsFFC - and your point is?  I am looking to actively promote more of them as they are as good if not better than some of the 'talent' we have imported.  And SouthCoast FFC - I did emphasise 'coached' in my response, not necessarily home grown.

[CaptainJingles]

His strike against Brighton's U23s last Friday was fantastic. Really excited about him.

[Woolly Mammoth]

I feel our Academy youngsters would put in a better shift. There are times when we have too many passengers when the going gets tough. Whereas you generally get a more honest enthusiastic response from a youth player who would and should show hunger desire and appetite. 

[Milo]

Agree Woolly: I really would like to see some of these home grown (or at least home coached) youngsters get a chance.  We have over capacity in bought in (or borrowed) foreign imports who rarely contribute to the squad, frequently disappear altogether and are costing us money.  Many of the academy players are very successful at their level or age and need a chance.  Someone be brave please.  Most likely not our current Coach.

Pressure to play the youngsters lost Magath his job..

[Keynsham]

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Oh. My. Dayz.   :wine: :wine:

[Marcel_Gecov]

Agree Woolly: I really would like to see some of these home grown (or at least home coached) youngsters get a chance.  We have over capacity in bought in (or borrowed) foreign imports who rarely contribute to the squad, frequently disappear altogether and are costing us money.  Many of the academy players are very successful at their level or age and need a chance.  Someone be brave please.  Most likely not our current Coach.

Pressure to play the youngsters lost Magath his job..

Huh?

[hovewhite]

Introduce them from the bench so theres less pressure on them.

[Marcel_Gecov]

Introduce them from the bench so theres less pressure on them.

They often get a small cameo before a longer sub appearance and then finally a start.

[Count Flapula]

Agree Woolly: I really would like to see some of these home grown (or at least home coached) youngsters get a chance.  We have over capacity in bought in (or borrowed) foreign imports who rarely contribute to the squad, frequently disappear altogether and are costing us money.  Many of the academy players are very successful at their level or age and need a chance.  Someone be brave please.  Most likely not our current Coach.

Sorry but that doesn't stack up. Jok has given debuts / chances to:
Ryan Sessegnon
Steven Sessegnon
Tayo Edun
Denis Adeniran
Luca De La Torre
Matt O'Riley
Stephen Humphrys
Marek Rodak

All in just a season and a half - some against premier league teams. Level what you want against him but not being brave enough in giving our youth players a chance isn't something that sticks. He has demonstrated he is willing to give them a chance.

All of them are at different stages of development: for instance Edun and De La Torre have started getting chances in league matches; Jok himself stated recently in an interview O'Riley will soon be getting first team action etc. If they are ready i'm confident he will play them as he has shown.