FA Youth Cup Semi-Final Preview - Profiling Spurs U-18s

Like many successful teams at any level, Spurs have been able to field a relatively consistent line-up in their FA Youth Cup run this season. These days it is popular to speak of a “spine” consisting of a decent goal-keeper, centre-back, playmaker/defensive midfielder, and the magic ingredient – a scoring striker.

Well, Spurs under-18s have candidates for each of those positions, but it is unfair to pick out individuals. The team that beat Watford 2-0 at Vicarage Road in the quarter-final, (and in an ideal world would play at Portman Road on Friday night) was as follows:-

Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Mills, Lee, Wright; Maghoma, Lewis, O’Hara, Daniels (sub Davis, 56); Hamed, Barcham

Subs not used: - Button; Riley; Archibald; Seanla

Tommy Forecast is a tall, lean keeper, who recently made his debut at Reserve Level for Spurs. In fact, this was against Watford, and he demonstrated good handling for much of the game in a 1-1 draw. Tommy made two great saves in the penalty shoot-out at Liverpool that ensured Spurs progress through the fourth round of this year’s Cup competition.

Phil Ifil (right-back) will be the best known of the Spurs contingent to outsiders, as he played in Spurs’ first two Premiership games of the season, acquitting himself very well indeed, against no less than Harry Kewell and Lauren Robert. Spurs were unbeaten in these two games. Ifil has represented England at various levels, and featured on the Spurs first team bench three other times this season. He plays primarily for the Reserves, but skippers the Under-18s for this campaign. Ifil is a tenacious defender, but he likes to get forward too, and will be a threat down the Spurs right flank.

Leigh Mills (centre-back). Leigh was acquired from Swindon last summer for what could turn out to be a 7-figure transfer fee, depending on his future achievements. Leigh is a commanding figure and also has captain potential, guiding his colleagues through the game. Mills surely has a bright future in the game at the highest level. Look out for him at set-pieces too!

Charlie Lee (Centre-back). Charlie may not be available for this game, as he suffered a knock in last week’s Academy game. Although not as tall as Mills, and previously a right-back, Charlie has proved himself to be a very efficient centre-back indeed, drawing admiring applause from all quarters at times this season. He’ll get forward for corners too.

Mark Wright (left-back). Mark has also skippered the side in the past. He has been at the Spurs academy since July 2003, having previously played for (ahem – Norwich) and Charlton.

Jacques Maghoma has usually played in the centre of midfield, where he likes to support the strikers, but in this campaign has often played on the right side of midfield. Maghoma is physically strong, with half an eye for goal, but more often an incisive pass.

Stuart Lewis is a midfield battler, who used to be an Arsenal Junior, but saw the light! He comes from Welwyn Garden City, where I live, so he must be special! Stuart is very industrious, and will be the more defensive support for the creative instincts around him. Has also represented England at under-16 and under-17 level.

Jamie O’Hara (midfield) also joined us from Arsenal, and has a few Reserve games under his belt too. O’Hara has a deadly free kick, great range of passing, and plenty of guts and power to go with those skills. Look out!

Charlie Daniels (left wing). Charlie is another player with leadership experience. Tall and fast, he often reaches good scoring positions in the box too. Charlie scored the early goal at Vicarage Road that caught Watford unawares, and put Spurs in the ascendancy from the start of this crucial game.

Andy Barcham (Striker). Andy is another England International. He comes from Basildon. Whilst not that tall (about 5ft 9in), he is very well balanced and a strong, powerful and lightning fast player, not only in his running, but also in his reaction and thinking. Andy has scored three of Spurs’ six goals of the Cup Run, and could pop up in your penalty area at any time!

Radwan Hamed (Striker). Radwan was Barcham’s partner in the Watford game, but Coach Pat Holland has a number of options here. Barcham could be partnered by Claude “Steff” Seanla, or perhaps Simon Dawkins. Whichever of the three plays, they will provide a certain degree of aerial support for Barcham, coupled with strength, pace and the ability to put the ball in the net!

Substitute keeper is likely to be David Button, and other players likely to feature in the squad are: - Chris Riley, Troy Archibald (defenders), and Jamie Davis (right wing). There are other impressive players eligible, but the one I would love to see is Richard Heller, a lightning fast right winger, who hails from Bury St. Edmunds. Heller has not been seen in action recently, but was an unused sub in Wednesday night's Reserve game.

How they got there:-

Spurs 1 Forest 0(Rd 3 - Home)

Barcham

Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Lee, Mills, Wright; Davis (sub Heller, 78), Maghoma, O'Hara, Daniels; Dawkins (sub Thyer, 58), Barcham

Subs not used:- Button; Riley; Lewis

Liverpool 1 Spurs 1(Rd 4 - Away)

Barcham

(Spurs win 4-2 on pens)

Spurs: Tommy Forecast, Phil Ifil, Mark Wright, Stuart Lewis, Leigh Mills, Charlie Lee, Jamie Davis (Richard Heller, 112), Simon Dawkins (Radwan Hamed, 84), Andy Barcham, Jamie O'Hara, Joe Martin (Scott Thyer 58). Subs: David Button (GK), Chris Riley.

Spurs 2 Everton 1 (5th Rd - Home)

Mills, O'Hara

Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Mills, Lee, Wright; Maghoma, Lewis, O'Hara, Daniels; Dawkins (sub Hamed, 77), Barcham

Subs not used:- Button; Riley; Davis; Thyer

Watford 0 Spurs 2 (6th Rd - Away)

Daniels, Barcham

Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Mills, Lee, Wright; Maghoma, Lewis, O’Hara, Daniels (sub Davis, 56); Hamed, Barcham

Subs not used: - Button; Riley; Archibald; Seanla

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