Under-18s win at Tranmere Rovers

Dave/Tony Abraham’s/Steve Ferns

Curious if you or anyone else has seen much of Cannon. His name keeps popping up. Wondering if he has real EPL potential or if he’s one of these JP Kissock’e eg good for his age group but lacking a je ne sais quo?

That's a decent win for another young team, albeit Tranmere, a lower standard. Eight of the first-year scholars starting, one off the bench.

Charlie Whitaker in midfield has got a couple of goals this preseason, for me he's the pick of a talented midfield, wins the ball, carries it forward, passes well and in the past has scored some cracking goals from far out.

5 CBs on the pitch too at various times, obviously can't fit them all in and it looks like Hagan is being given a shot at right back. It's not clear yet who are the preferred two CB , great competition there.

Kieran, I described Cannon recently as being between Simms and Lewis Dobbin in terms of physicality and skill, less physical than Simms but more skilful, less skilful than Dobbin, more physical. He's a real poacher of goals and to put in context Simms was only just starting to register at this age, Dobbin is playing with the U23s. We also need to tie Cannon down to a pro contract, he's certainly done enough to earn it, then it's up to him and maybe a wee bit of luck to avoid injuries.

Phill, is the man to ask Kieran, alls I know is that he’s a second year scholar, the same as Hagan, both local lads, I hope they both do well.

I was under the impression that Hagan, was a right back anyway Phill, I didn’t know he also played centre half. His dad was a decent player, I’m sure he was an apprentice at Liverpool, I just hope his lad goes further in the game!

Tony, yeah a while back Harry Hagan was playing for England youth as a CB in the same team as Onyango and Dobbin and played both CB and right-back last season. I think you're right in that he's now seen as a right-back, a position we don't seem to have many players in.

He's got a pro contract already which suggests the U18 coaches think highly of him. He looks to be about 6 foot, whereas the other CBs are about 6 foot 2 and Welch/Kristensen slightly taller, the modern way eh.

Phill (2) I think you’ve described Tom Cannon perfectly and he certainly deserves a professional contract.