James Wilson

Keane is a bit of a cautionary tale with regard to Wilson. He was similarly unstoppable at the same age (although if possible I think Wilson looks even better), and whilst hopefully he can pick up where he left off, that one bad injury has put a massive spanner in the works in terms of his development.

We have so many flair creative players coming through at various levels - the sort of young player that attention gravitates towards - that it's easy to forget that Wilson is probably as promising a talent as any of them. He's got that aura about him at the moment.


Will Absolute said:
He's got much better technical ability than he's given credit for - far from being a speed merchant with a goal scoring touch.
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Agreed. It's what's allowed him to be so deadly playing in front of the likes of Januzaj, Daehli, Pereira etc. He has more than enough technically to get involved in their intricate build-up play, but he's also got an Owen-esque ability to burst onto a through ball and calmly round the keeper. Defenders simply don't know what to do with him.
 
Keane was out for what? A year and a half? Keane is an exceptional talent. He's only just come back and scored 3 goals. His conditioning and match fitness are lacking but I don't think there's much of a problem there. We've had great talents in the past who never got the chance - maybe because they weren't mature enough. It's impossible to say but Wilson and Keane have an excellent chance. Hopefully they have the maturity and patience. Exciting times
 
I've never managed to see him play yet but hear nothing but rave reviews. How good does his potential look?
 
@LawCharltonBest Truth of it is that he does look extremely promising, however there's little hope nowadays that at this stage kids will fufill their potential, a mix of Injuries/form etc makes it so hard to predict, look at Keane...
That being said, he looks good, but not anything better than Welbeck/Macheda etc looked at that level.s
 
I have a feeling he'll be brought on the tour next summer. Not necessarily with a view to him challenging for a spot in the first team next season but more to make him get a taste of it. At the moment it seems like he just keeps on delivering whenever he plays.
 
Elliott said:
Wilson isn't as rounded as Will Keane was at the same age but he's much more than a speed merchant who can finish. His passing game is quality and he's got the vision to match.
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Think this post sums him up well.

Its an unusual mix at that age. The pace thing is common enough but its what he does with it that separates him from the crowd. He plays with a huge desire to win, not just in the goals sense but his workrate has been exceptional recently.
 
Decotron said:
Think this post sums him up well.

Its an unusual mix at that age. The pace thing is common enough but its what he does with it that separates him from the crowd. He plays with a huge desire to win, not just in the goals sense but his workrate has been exceptional recently.
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Yeah, I've been very impressed by his work rate this season. Almost Rooneyesque at times.
 
Yeah giving him the captaincy of the under 18s at the start of the season and the under 19s seems to have been really good for him and making him work even harder
 
The ways that Wilson reminds me of Ole is that he's a fantastic finisher and converts a high % of his chances. Both are far from pure poachers, Wilson reminds me of how Ole used his balance and body control to lose a defender in the box and finish. Ole is much more prolific of course.

He's certainly doesn't use his size to physically impose on defenders like Kevin Davies, though maybe I never saw Davies as young as sglowrider is referencing. Wilson doesn't have the raw power and ferocity of Rooney, Wilson couldn't play in midfield like Rooney has either.

He reminds me of Will Keane too, now that I think of it.
 
Michael Owen, Luis Suarez, Solskjaer, young Kevin Davies, which one is he?

He just reminds me of a young James Wilson, I can't wait to see how he develops in the next couple of years. He has amazing pace and a good turn of direction to beat his man, such confidence too.
 
For quite a tall guy he sure does accelerate quickly, it almost does not look natural. Very deceiving.
 
A young Ronaldo (the brazil one) use to score goals like that :)
 
If I had to put a comparison to him then maybe the Torres one is closest without being anywhere near spot on.

The others just don't work at all.
 
londonredmaniac said:
If I had to put a comparison to him then maybe the Torres one is closest without being anywhere near spot on.

The others just don't work at all.
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From watching that video (first I've seen of him) he looks a bit like Torres or Lewandowski with more pace. He is much quicker than Solskjær ever was and with more dribbling skills. His pace seemed really impressive, but it's always hard to tell with these matches as we know so little about the opposition.
 
This lad reminds me of a young James Wilson. A white one. Thats left footed.

He does indeed work hard to recover the ball when its loose ala Rooney which is what I'm assuming is the comparison.
 
Rossa said:
From watching that video (first I've seen of him) he looks a bit like Torres or Lewandowski with more pace. He is much quicker than Solskjær ever was and with more dribbling skills. His pace seemed really impressive, but it's always hard to tell with these matches as we know so little about the opposition.
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It's always difficult at this level mate. As you say there is so little known about the quality of the opposition. I've watched him the last 3 years or so and he never fails to impress me. Not just his speed and control...but his ability to find space, make the right run and know what is going on around him. He's a lovely player who i hope continues to develop. If he does we'll have a proper player on our hands here.
 
londonredmaniac said:
It's always difficult at this level mate. As you say there is so little known about the quality of the opposition. I've watched him the last 3 years or so and he never fails to impress me. Not just his speed and control...but his ability to find space, make the right run and know what is going on around him. He's a lovely player who i hope continues to develop. If he does we'll have a proper player on our hands here.
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How soon do you reckon he might be ready for the first team? Is he a striker or winger?

He looked very good at finding space as he ran away from the defender instead of into his stride as some quick players tend to do - disregarding the fact that the defender, although often slower, have a shorter way to run and without the ball. He didn't look scared to take on a man, but he hardly looked stupid in his decision making.
 
Again Rossa...it's difficult to say...but I would say he would be in with an outside shot of going on tour in the summer (depending on whether he gets a good few reserve team outings). If not this one then definately the next. He is definately one for through the middle for me, never really seen him utilised anywhere else.

The great asset he has is his speed actually on the ball mixed with his control and composure. The amount of times he ends up one on one, drops the shoulder and gives the keeper the eye...puts him flat on his arse and finds himself with an open goal is mental. His movement really is a joy to watch as well. he will happily play off the shoulder..but as you see he loves coming deep and running at people.

I'd love to say we'll see him in with a shout in 2 years time. However that depends massively on him staying fit and healthy, how he deals with the step up to regular reserve team football (paying against bigger, stronger and more physical players) and who he is competing with for a squad place. We have Will Keane, Angelo Henriquez etc. I'd be staggered if he didn't make a success of himself long term mind...Injuries willing.
 
Jaybezia said:
@LawCharltonBest Truth of it is that he does look extremely promising, however there's little hope nowadays that at this stage kids will fufill their potential, a mix of Injuries/form etc makes it so hard to predict, look at Keane...
That being said, he looks good, but not anything better than Welbeck/Macheda etc looked at that level.s
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He looks more talented than Macheda ever did at reserve or youth level. Welbeck is probably a fairer comparison as he always stood out in terms of ability.

The comparisons in here are mostly ridiculous. He's a young player with pace and excellent close control. You can't glide through defences time and again and take the ball in situations he does just by being fast.

Too early to say if he'll make it but he's definitely an exciting prospect.
 
londonredmaniac said:
Again Rossa...it's difficult to say...but I would say he would be in with an outside shot of going on tour in the summer (depending on whether he gets a good few reserve team outings). If not this one then definately the next. He is definately one for through the middle for me, never really seen him utilised anywhere else.

The great asset he has is his speed actually on the ball mixed with his control and composure. The amount of times he ends up one on one, drops the shoulder and gives the keeper the eye...puts him flat on his arse and finds himself with an open goal is mental. His movement really is a joy to watch as well. he will happily play off the shoulder..but as you see he loves coming deep and running at people.

I'd love to say we'll see him in with a shout in 2 years time. However that depends massively on him staying fit and healthy, how he deals with the step up to regular reserve team football (paying against bigger, stronger and more physical players) and who he is competing with for a squad place. We have Will Keane, Angelo Henriquez etc. I'd be staggered if he didn't make a success of himself long term mind...Injuries willing.
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Good post, mate, and thanks :)

I'll have to pay attention to the lad, methinks.
 
@noodlehair

Yes agreed 100% except the fact that IMO Macheda did look better than Welbeck in the reserves, a lot attributed that to the fact he was a year older but he did always look very one dimensional I think it's fair to say.
 
Jaybezia said:
@noodlehair

Yes agreed 100% except the fact that IMO Macheda did look better than Welbeck in the reserves, a lot attributed that to the fact he was a year older but he did always look very one dimensional I think it's fair to say.
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Machedas a year younger than Welbeck and while Macheda always looked more composed in front of goal Welbeck always looked the better all round player and scored goals out of nothing
 
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