Max Dowman: Mad Max

[Big Poppa]

The problem is that unless he sees a concrete path into the starting eleven, he may well choose to leave when signing his first professional contract. He’ll want, reasonably, to take advantage of the hype train, before it moves on. In that scenario we won’t even make any real money. Bizarre that’s we’ve produced a bunch of elite youth in essentially the same position, at the same time.

Very few players his age have a concrete path to the first team squad let alone starting eleven. That would be an absurd expectation.

There's a part of all of this where we all need to accept that regardless of what we do as a club, the scenario you laid out about him choosing to go elsewhere before signing pro terms with us could happen. That's how we got Cesc out of Barcelona, and also tried to get Messi.

Fortunately it seems like his family are proper gooners and he's well grounded. If he succumbs to money and hype, that's unfortunate, but he doesn't seem like that sort of kid.

 

[MutableEarth]

The interesting discussion I have this season for "Mad Max" this season, considering he is only 15 & seems like one of our most exciting players along with Saka already aswell considering his young age, how much game time will Dowman get in the 1st team this year or will he just continually train with the 1st team & just let him develop for another season for the 1st team more regularly next season?

He'll probably get a Carabao game depending on the draw (we always seem to get lots of PL teams these days) and play mostly U21s this season. PL2, while not the most competitive level, is still quite physical so it'll be good for him to get some time there - presumably with Jack Wilshere potentially returning as U21 manager and alongside other pretty strong prospects like Andre Harriman-Annous, Marli Salmon and Ife Ibrahim (potentially Brando Bailey-Joseph+Kyran Thompson later on down the line).

 

[Geofranco]

He'll probably get a Carabao game depending on the draw (we always seem to get lots of PL teams these days) and play mostly U21s this season. PL2, while not the most competitive level, is still quite physical so it'll be good for him to get some time there - presumably with Jack Wilshere potentially returning as U21 manager and alongside other pretty strong prospects like Andre Harriman-Annous, Marli Salmon and Ife Ibrahim (potentially Brando Bailey-Joseph+Kyran Thompson later on down the line).

I might actually tune in to some U21 games this year lol. First time in a while, cause the talent coming through at that level in the last few years has been uninspiring. Still sad about Zach Awe and Monlouis though.

 

[grange]

It really does change your entire mood when you know your club has a guy who pops off the screen and looks like a baller.

 

[MutableEarth]

I might actually tune in to some U21 games this year lol. First time in a while, cause the talent coming through at that level in the last few years has been uninspiring. Still sad about Zach Awe and Monlouis though.

I'm actually planning to go to the Fulham game on Friday unless something comes up. It's been a really long time since I've been to Borehamwood so it should be quite interesting. I'm sure the lineup will still have a few guys that should really be out on loan by now as they're blocking some of the scholars that should be in the team (Sagoe Jr ahead of Zecevic-John for example), but there's some players I'm looking forward to seeing play in the flesh for the first time. I doubt Dowman will be playing as I think he's still on his holidays but it'll be a good chance to see Andre Harriman-Annous and the new signing Augustien.

Awe and Monlouis I'm not sure what happened but I think that was a misstep in our development of them more than anything. Dan Ballard and Mark McGuinness to me are still the best defenders we've managed to produce in a while, but I have big hopes for the new group coming through. Marli Salmon, Patrick Stachow, Josh Tahou and Callan Hamill (signing from St Johnstone) are really impressive. Only Salmon will play U21 though I reckon.

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

I think he'll make his debut this season in one of the cups. Maybe a few sub appearances in the league second half of the season.

That's a more than reasonable level to put on him as a 15 year old.

I really hope the club and his family look after him and guide his career for what's best for his long term because we could be looking at a Rooney level talent ( albeit different players) I think.

 

[Geofranco]

I'm actually planning to go to the Fulham game on Friday unless something comes up. It's been a really long time since I've been to Borehamwood so it should be quite interesting. I'm sure the lineup will still have a few guys that should really be out on loan by now as they're blocking some of the scholars that should be in the team (Sagoe Jr ahead of Zecevic-John for example), but there's some players I'm looking forward to seeing play in the flesh for the first time. I doubt Dowman will be playing as I think he's still on his holidays but it'll be a good chance to see Andre Harriman-Annous and the new signing Augustien.

Awe and Monlouis I'm not sure what happened but I think that was a misstep in our development of them more than anything. Dan Ballard and Mark McGuinness to me are still the best defenders we've managed to produce in a while, but I have big hopes for the new group coming through. Marli Salmon, Patrick Stachow, Josh Tahou and Callan Hamill (signing from St Johnstone) are really impressive. Only Salmon will play U21 though I reckon.

Can't believe I forgot about Sagoe Jr. The kid has talent, can actually dribble with both feet.

 

[Geofranco]

I think he'll make his debut this season in one of the cups. Maybe a few sub appearances in the league second half of the season.

That's a more than reasonable level to put on him as a 15 year old.

I really hope the club and his family look after him and guide his career for what's best for his long term because we could be looking at a Rooney level talent ( albeit different players) I think.

I believe if he makes U21 look like a joke like he started making U18 level, then he'll be called up for the league cup games and maybe even FA cup games. He could potentially make his EPL and UCL debut after he turns 16, especially games the team is putting a beat down on the opposition, one of those games where everything clicks.

 

[avenellroad]

Can't believe I forgot about Sagoe Jr. The kid has talent, can actually dribble with both feet.

Sagoe had his chance two years ago. I think the ship has sailed for him unfortunately. May need to move on elsewhere to progress.

 

[MutableEarth]

Can't believe I forgot about Sagoe Jr. The kid has talent, can actually dribble with both feet.

Has the Butler-Oyedeji problem - been very blunt when on loan. Very good carrier but not much at the end. Time for fresh blood IMO. Think the time for a guy like Kamara is passing too. Zecevic-John, O'Neill and Bailey-Joseph have next.

 

[Buhry]

I don't see why he wouldn't get a decent amount of sub minutes in the league. He has proven he has the level, it's not a fluke when you look like our best attacker for like 3 games in pre season against pretty good teams regardless of it being pre season. He can make an impact if we need a spark. He has something no one else in the team really has. And from what I've been reading the rules allow it.

That said even Yamal didn't play really untill he was 16. 7 minutes in the league at 15 is what gemini is saying

 

[Fabregasm]

To be honest, I'm not afraid of him signing for any other premier league clubs from his background but the narrative can change if Barca or Madrid pays insane money to his parents to relocate there and cover all expenses for next 10 years.

At this age it's not about him but all about what his parents decide. They can become dirt rich immediately if Barca comes knocking and offer them crazy sign on fee or they can wait for many more years till he gets his first big contract which then is not pay out directly to them either.

Pretty sure that mouthwatering prospect of playing Dowman and Yamal together for the next 10 years must be on Barca dream list.

 

[outlawz]

It's bad enough when Barcelona or Real Madrid actually come knocking and manage to lure a player away. We don't need Arsenal fans fantasising about times when it hasn't.

 

[ash_rasul]

It's bad enough when Barcelona or Real Madrid actually come knocking and manage to lure a player away. We don't need Arsenal fans fantasising about times when it hasn't.

Wetting a bed that's still flatpacked.

 

[boonthegoon]

He's back already?

 

[MutableEarth]

He's back already?

Guessing that means he plays tonight vs Fulham U21

 

[grange]

He's back already?

Will the tacticos leak his 20 page paper on the French Revolution?

 

[scytheavatar]

I don't see why he wouldn't get a decent amount of sub minutes in the league. He has proven he has the level, it's not a fluke when you look like our best attacker for like 3 games in pre season against pretty good teams regardless of it being pre season. He can make an impact if we need a spark. He has something no one else in the team really has. And from what I've been reading the rules allow it.

That said even Yamal didn't play really untill he was 16. 7 minutes in the league at 15 is what gemini is saying

No matter what he is still 15 years old. There is a case to be made that not only should he not be getting first team minutes, he should still be playing in the U18s. Rushing a player too much physically shortens his career and makes it more likely he will get major injuries. The last thing we will want is Dowman to be crooked and past it as a 22 year old.

 

[MartiSaka]

He's back already?

Impact sub at OT when we cant break them down with the horseshoe

 

[Geofranco]

No matter what he is still 15 years old. There is a case to be made that not only should he not be getting first team minutes, he should still be playing in the U18s. Rushing a player too much physically shortens his career and makes it more likely he will get major injuries. The last thing we will want is Dowman to be crooked and past it as a 22 year old.

Nothing left for him at U18 level. U21, league cup, FA cup and some league appearances after he turns 16, depending on how well he is playing at U21 level and his performances in the league and FA cup games. I can still see him playing in the U18 fa youth cup games, but that'll probably not happen.