Not all of them can make it unfortunately. They won't all go to Arsenal either, especially when we're beating them in the premier league.
Also it depends what sort of player they are. Because Lallana wasn't blindingly quick or built like a tank, he slipped under the big clubs radar and was allowed to develop into the beast he is now. If we breed the right characteristics, we can make good, mature players that make up a big part of our team. A few exceptional ones will move on, but we get crazy fees foor them. It's well worth having the academy if we make use of it.
I actually think this generation could be like Scholes, Beckham etc etc at Man Utd
I admire your optimism, but the majority of youth players don't actually make it. One gem every two years seems to be our ratio. And thouroughly worth the investment.
you underestimate how good the current second year scholars are.
These are the academy players to watch IMO:
Luke Shaw (LB) - May make it, lets not forget, Joe Mills represented England Youth whilst in the Academy, couldn't really cut it with us though!
James Ward-Prowse (CM) - Will hopefully make the breakthrough. looks promising, however he is still far too lightweight for mens football and needs to develop. CM is also the hardes postion on the pitch to break into.
Chris Johns (GK) - A bit like Blaney? can't see him making it with us
Jordan Turnbull (CB) - Wont make it, will probably end up in non league
Sam McQueen (LM) - can't judge as havn't seen him play.
Omar Rowe (RM) - May make it to the first team, but whether he makes it with us, I don't know. I can see a similar type of career to Mclaggon.
Calum Chambers (CM) - Can't judge
Harrison Reed (CM) - can't judge
Jake Sinclair (ST) - May make it, like JWP, needs to develop physially.
Jack Stephens (RB) - Should make it to the first team squad, we bought him for this purpose.
Corby Moore (CM) - Wont make it with us, will probably end up in the non league.
And further up, you have Lloyd Isgrove (Winger) wont make it, injured at the wrong point of his career, Sam Hoskins wont make it with us, may make a league 1/2 striker. (Striker), Andy Robinson will end up non league (CM), Aaran Racine will end up non league (CB), Harlee Dean will end up at another club (CB), Jack Dovey will end up in the non league (GK), Ryan Doble wont make it with us, league 1 is his level atm, Championship at best (Striker) and Ben Reeves wont make it with us. (Left Back) all bubbling below the 1st team
I am 100% with Dyslexic on this one! I believe some peole think because we have a brilliant academy, all of the players in it are going to be future stars. This is not the case. 1 every 2 years is a fantastic record and one to be proud of. It is unlikely that the majority of these lads will make it though to the first team. As you can see I've highlighted what I believe will happen to them.
That is just my brutal honest opinion, just because they have professional contracts it doesn't mean they'll make it. It's just the club insuring that if they do develop then they have them under contract so other teams can't snatch them.
Cortese said that our u18's squad is the best in the country.![]()
I am 100% with Dyslexic on this one! I believe some peole think because we have a brilliant academy, all of the players in it are going to be future stars. This is not the case. 1 every 2 years is a fantastic record and one to be proud of. It is unlikely that the majority of these lads will make it though to the first team. As you can see I've highlighted what I believe will happen to them.
That is just my brutal honest opinion, just because they have professional contracts it doesn't mean they'll make it. It's just the club insuring that if they do develop then they have them under contract so other teams can't snatch them.
you underestimate how good the current second year scholars are.
If they're not pushing for the first team by 17/18, it seems less likely that they will make it with us unfortuntely. As we get better, we need to make more use of loans to give the youngsters a fairer crack at first team footballl. Should be more straightforward in the PL with the status and a far more competitive reserve league in which to show the kids off.
For every kid that makes it, there will be loads that don't and we need to emphasize that none of them are born to be stars, not just because we don't want an army of Puncheons who think they're better than they are. Some players who show a lot of promise as youths never make it professionally. This latest crop may be good, but its safer to reserve judgement until they are playing in a first team shirt, ours or someone elses.
I am 100% with Dyslexic on this one! I believe some peole think because we have a brilliant academy, all of the players in it are going to be future stars. This is not the case. 1 every 2 years is a fantastic record and one to be proud of. It is unlikely that the majority of these lads will make it though to the first team. As you can see I've highlighted what I believe will happen to them.
That is just my brutal honest opinion, just because they have professional contracts it doesn't mean they'll make it. It's just the club insuring that if they do develop then they have them under contract so other teams can't snatch them.