Tough one. I keep telling people that the youth team that we've got at the moment is the strongest we've ever had in terms of individuals, and luckily they've gelled enough times as a team to have had a really good season results-wise as well.
The second-years this season are getting some good time in reserve matches (when they actualy take place!); Alex Woodyard has already made his first-team debut away to Shrewsbury after having a great start to the season, but if you look at the centre of midfield it's going to be difficult for him because - especially with Ferdinand earmarked by Sturrock as a holding midfielder or full-back - we have plenty of bodies there (Easton and Grant are always going to be starters, Sawyer's waiting in the wings, too) so he's going to have to keep getting better. I thought he struggled in the Senior Cup match at Chelmsford, but he has been better at Grays last week and today, and Monday night will be a big fixture for him to shine. With Ferdinand unlikely to play due to his first-team involvement, he's the big 'name' in the side.
For the same reason, James Stevens could struggle to break through, but he's doing everything in his power to get himself noticed! His passing range and technique is impeccable, his goalscoring record is superb this season and he can play anywhere in the middle of the park. He came on as a sub today and had a hand in the fourth goal, plus he took a decent free-kick (his dead-ball delivery is unbelievable) that Phillips fired into the 'keeper's gloves.
Daniel Bentley is an excellent 'keeper who has kept improving this year, so if one of Evans or Morris isn't here next year, I wouldn't be disappointed to see him staying at all. In fact, even if they both remain with us, we could keep Bentley on and get him experience via a long-term loan at a Conference or Conference South club.
Big Duane Ofori-Acheampong grabs plenty of headlines with his height, and he's scored 15 times for the Under-18s and reserves this term, but he needs to impose himself on matches more. Sometimes a situation will be crying out for him to make an impact, and he doesn't quite do it, so he has to focus hard.
Of the next crop, Anthony Furlonge is the obvious candidate: powerful, athlete, tall, can play at right-back or centre-back. Good on the ball, has got a decent cross, plus capable of scoring goals in the opposition penalty area. I wouldn't be surprised to see him move to centre-half next season due to his height, just as long as he doesn't switch off as he's had a couple of lapses there recently filling in for Ferdinand in the Under-18s (neither of which have led to a goal, but as you step up a level, that's the sort of thing you need to cut out). If I was pushed, I would say he's the next cab on the rank, but as this year's FA Youth Cup run has proved, there are plenty of candidates and it's an exciting time for the Youth Department.
