Us NUFC fans haven’t been used to seeing youngsters make the big step up from the U-23’s to first-team level in recent years, but there’s one man in our youth ranks who I’m tipping to buck that trend – and that’s Victor Fernandez.
The Barcelona-born winger was signed from Spanish second division side UE Cornella in January last year and he immediately began to catch the eye at U-23 level.
I don’t get to as many second string games as I’d like to, but whenever I’ve got the chance to watch him his pace, trickery and close control often stood out – and it seems like he’s been catching the eye of Rafa Benitez too.
He’s yet to play in a competitive game at senior level, but he’s been handed several opportunities to train with the first-team and looks set to be included in our annual training camp in Ireland.
Not only did the 20-year-old impress during his 45-minute cameo in our mid-season friendly with Royal Antwerp in March – looking anything but out of place at senior level (albeit against poor Belgian opposition), but he was named player of the tournament during the U-23’s run to Hong Kong Soccer Sevens title last month.
He no doubt has a long way to go, but there’s something about this lad. He looks pretty fearless on the ball, elusive in possession and has a touch of class and turn of pace about him.
Definitely one to watch over pre-season this summer.
???
Very good Eric
Shamrock(Quote)
Spurs in for Plea.
Stuart79(Quote)
he’s a bargain!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
C’mon Eric I got it the first time.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I know I have said this before, but:
NUFC’s top target according to Lee Ryder is Little Jimmy Krankie because he already has his own shorts and that will make him affordable for MIke. Angus Young is second choice. When asked “you do know that they are only dressed as schoolboys and are both actually in their 60s?” Ashley said, does that affect their sell-on value?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
yes Prem but not everybody reads this blog everyday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just once bitten twice shy
PremAndUp(Quote)
First 4 games all on tv. That’s £4m guaranteed. Where will Jabba hide that?
Stuart79(Quote)
Who is this Richard Johnson and does he know that both names mean ***** (****)?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am totally pissed off now. The Spurs game is at 6.30 am here. The good news is that I can start drinking at 6.30 am.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
? I would take Ings though – especially if the £9m fee is true
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wilson has signed a new contract at Bournemouth so we can forget him.
Stuart79(Quote)
I am always stupidly amused at people naming their kids in stupid ways.
I went to school with Clint Clamp and Arlene Konkie.
And, of course there is the Tesco tannoy classic Michael Hunt.
Paging Michael Hunt, paging Michael Hunt. Has anybody seen Mike Hunt?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: there is n article on here put up about 1 hour ago by Richard Johnson.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sky reckon Palace want £17m for Townsend but want £15+ for Ritchie. How do they work this out?!! They want similar price for Ritchie as Palace want for Townsend.
Stuart79(Quote)
Is Townsend that much better than Ritchie? Or better at all? More effective? I certainly can’t decide who I’d rather have.
georgio(Quote)
both good players in their own way I reckon Georgio
Kimtoon(Quote)
Agreed Kim
georgio(Quote)
I think Ritchie was a bit average until January. He doesn’t score many but then again neither does Townsend. But all in all I think I’d prefer Townsend. But actually what I would want is to sell Atsu and have Townsend and Ritchie. But Rafa is having to sell Ritchie to raise funds. A shame.
Stuart79(Quote)
Not sure who I think will win this one. Uruguay have a better flag.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
France have a better National Anthem.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Didier Duchamps is only 49? ! ! ? I am watching and thinking he looks about 70.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
France in a right pickle then defensively
Kimtoon(Quote)
French anthem is pompous Eric, so is Germany’s, ours too. i like the latin ones , cheerful ditties usually .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Going for France this time. 3-2 to the froggies…
We are well over a 1000 posts now…
I see we may “lose” Plea as we have messed around too long trying to get the price down..
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Didn’t Billy Connolly once say we should change ours to the Archers theme tune 😀
Kimtoon(Quote)
France looking impressive again… not!
Stuart79(Quote)
Yes, I remember that.. so funny! ???
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I am thinking Godin, Giminez and Suarez might make Neymar cry so I am hoping for Uruguay.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pogba has been ***** again. Why is he rated so highly?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Now I said that, he will score of course.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – according to that article Stoke have only offered £11.5m for Ritchie – probably coz they will only get 12.5m for Shaqiri. But Palace want £17m for Townsend – so we are holding out for at £15m for Ritchie to close that gap. Rightly so as well I think coz he’s better than £11m.
I’m not too concerned on this one really coz I like Ritchie and wouldn’t be too disappointed if he was still here next season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Typical, just like France that
Kimtoon(Quote)
Well taken goal by Varane
Shamrock(Quote)
Would we worry about potentially facing France ?
I don’t think I would that much.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Did they just get Karius to pay in goal?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pogba is really ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well looking at France in the group stages I would never of tipped them to reach the semis.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Well they say you need a bit of luck to win the WC and France are getting it. Another shambolic keeper performance helps them through.
Another lack lustre display from them.
Stuart79(Quote)
Hmm, so France through… shocking goalie error mind..?. Not many South American teams left now. Is Brazil the last one? Could be an all European semifinals.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Uruguay really missed Cavani today, or rather Suarez did.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Was Suarez playing…
Stuart79(Quote)
some folk have way too much time on their hands 😆
Zaheer Khan @Z4k_33 · 9h9 hours ago
More
Replying to @Princekhalifa12 @GaryLineker
SPOOKY
World Cup Quarter Finals
France: 6 letters
Uruguay: 7 letters
Brazil: 6 letters
Belgium: 7 letters
Sweden: 6 letters
England: 7 letters
Russia: 6 letters
Croatia: 7 letters
Games to be played on 6 & 7 July
6+7 =13
13 letters in
It’s coming home
Kimtoon(Quote)
It is coming home = 14
Is an apostrophe a letter?
I have too much time on my hands 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Brasil – Belgium?
2-2
Penalties?
Neymar gets a broken leg when a midge attacks him? Double hernia from a hedgehog mauling? Black eye from a kitten’s paw strike?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, or a kick from this one 😉
https://twitter.com/NevilleSouthall/status/1015168420621537282
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: that’s not what he looks like anymore. He has put on about 8 stone:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/neville-southall-flak-sex-workers-lgbt-issues
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s only 2 Neville Sothhalls, there’s only 2 Neville Southalls.
Sorry, that is so crass of me.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Brasil have figured out the corners against the Giraffe. Play it short and play it long.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I hope we get a bit of this luck knocking about…
Stuart79(Quote)
Here’s another one for you Prem: by rights, Miranda should be in jail for that tackle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Massive question for Brazil now…
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric , I was on about the pic of the kitten he posted 😆 😕
Kimtoon(Quote)
Brazil are just not that good…In fact at the back they’re shocking!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
Kimtoon: I know that 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nobody watching this?
Entitled European sides expecting to beat sides from other Continents…
Belgium looking good. Good semi final in the making!
Shamrock(Quote)
Lovely goal there. Game on.
Shamrock(Quote)
Just read Sean Longstaff, Cal Roberts and Adam Armstrong all promoted to first team squad to train for time being. Time to impress! I do like to see the youngsters come in to the first team.
Shamrock(Quote)
Now we got a game
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sham , that Fernandez kid is supposed to be a good prospect too apparently.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear Brazil. Really starting to open Belgium up but just cant finish.
Shamrock(Quote)
Yeah keep hearing that Kim. Not seen much of him but one to keep an eye on.
Shamrock(Quote)
No way is that a penalty
Shamrock(Quote)
Fellaini needs to be subbed. Constantly losing the ball and losing headers. He is flat.
Shamrock(Quote)
Hazard has been terrific.
Shamrock(Quote)
Great save!
Shamrock(Quote)
What a save.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
See ya Brazil!
Fk off Neymar you little girls blouse.
Shamrock(Quote)
This World cup is mental
Brazil are going home
Kimtoon(Quote)
That was a great game Stuart.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
26 shots for Brasil.
8 for Belgium.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, there goes the last South American team… amazing that we will have no Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain or Brazil in the Semis.
Good match that… I predicted Belgium for the title… so far I’m still sticking to that ..!
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Yeah. Belgium impressive in defence. All in all, two reasonably average performing sides.
Stuart79(Quote)
What, Stu man. 26 shots for Brasil. A brilliant De Bruyne goal. Brasil just pummeling the Belgian goal second half with Belgium always looking likely to score on the counter. 2 amazing saves from the giraffe.
What more do you want!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: have you watched recent world cups? This has been the best one for like 20 years. Recently they have just stood on the half way line and passed it sideways (apart from Germany 7 Brasil 1).
The Holland final against Spain and the Dutch may as well have just brought in Bruce Lee for De Jong and Sylvester Stallone with an MK17 for Van Bommel.
Eric Sykes(Quote)