Ross Eames has an exciting crop of young players to work with this season and the Development Team coach gave an appraisal of each member of his squad this afternoon.
All ten have been in Martin Allen’s squad for a first-team fixture previously and seven have made their Football League debuts for the Bees.
Here you can find out a bit more about each player and how they have fared this term ahead of what could be a big season for the Development Team.
Ross’ team will next be in action on Tuesday, September 20 when they entertain Oxford United at The Hive. The game kicks off at 1pm and Barnet fans are encouraged to come down to watch the game.Â
Kai McKenzie-Lyle – goalkeeper
30.11.97
First-year professional
Kai got his first-team debut against Portsmouth last season when Jamie Stephens got sent off.
He has a fantastic frame, he is a good shot stopper and he is very hard to beat – especially with a frame of 6’5" or 6’6".
His distribution is very good and he is comfortable receiving the ball and playing as a sweeper keeper.
We will look to get him out on loan this season to get some senior appearances to help his development and growth.
Harry Taylor – right-back, centre-back, central midfielder
04.05.97
Second-year professional
We all know Harry Taylor. He played in eight games last season for the first team and has continued this season by playing at right-back.
He is very versatile, intelligent and has a good range of passing. His technical skills on the ball are good.Â
Harry sees the game as a mature player and has done very well.
Tom Day – right-back, centre-back
04.10.97
First-year professional
Tom made his debut on the last day of last season at Crawley Town while he was as an Under-18 still.
He is very good on the ball, very good positionally and very willing to head, tackle or link-up the play.
On top of that he is a harder worker with a very good attitude and he’s happy to play inside at centre-back.
He has had a bit of concussion so he’s not been available for a couple of weeks.
Joe Payne – centre-back, left-back
02.04.99
Second-year scholar
Joe is an Under-18 who has been with us and he is very calm — much like Tom Day — on the ball.
He wants to defend, put his body on the line and head the ball. He has a very good attitude — he wants to win and hates losing.
We saw him on the bench at Newport County two Saturdays ago which was fantastic.Â
Nana Kyei – winger, central midfielder
10.01.98Â
First-year professional
Nana is another player we saw against Crawley last season and he can play in a number of positions including central midfield, attacking midfield or on the wing.
He has really good one-v-one skills, great balance going forward and can take a player out with a single touch or a drop of the shoulder.
He also has the ability score goals and in his first year as an Under-18 he scored 28 from midfield which is really promising. He is a player with a lot of potential.
Wesley Fonguck – central midfielder
16.07.97
Second-year professional
Wesley was another to come off the bench away at Crawley in the last game of last season and he got 50 minutes there.
He is a very good box-to-box midfielder who is rangy with great ability to switch the play and link up with others. He has a good passing range and likes to get forward.Â
This year has been pleasing because in the games we’ve had already he has started making late runs and arriving in the box which increases his goalscoring potential.
Jack Taylor – central midfielder
23.06.98
First-year professional
Jack is Harry’s younger brother. He can go box to box, is intelligent on the ball, is technically very good and has the ability to score from outside the box.
He is 6’1" now and he is still growing. Jack has the ability to develop into a bit of a monster in midfield which would be good.
Fumnaya Shomotun – attacking midfielder
29.05.97
Second-year professional
We know a lot about Fumnaya already and supporters have seen the ability that Fumy has.Â
He scored a fantastic goal against Hartlepool United here at The Hive last season.
He is very skillful in one-v-one situations and can get at players and score goals. He is very positive on the ball and wants to cause damage in the final third which is what we want from our attacking players.Â
Shane Cojocarel – attacking midfielder, striker
20.03.97
Second-year professional
Shane is one we’re really looking after. He had some experience out on loan at Billericay Town and Northwood last season and scored some goals.
He plays off the shoulder and drops in the pocket, so he can play as a number ten or a number nine. He scored 30 goals in his second year as an Under-18 and he’s scored six already for the Development Team this season.
He has a really good first touch and is good in tight situations. He will sniff out a goal in the box if he can and we saw against Southend United what he can do with a really good touch and finish for the second goal.
Justin Amaluzor – winger, striker
17.10.96
Second-year professional
Justin made his debut last season against Exeter City and have seen already this season against MK Dons how strong and quick he is.Â
He is a good goalscorer and got six in seven games in pre-season. We see him as a real focal point up front — a number nine — with the ability he has.
He has been a real positive in pre-season for us. He can also play out wide and this Development Team has a lot of ability.
