I don't blame Hume one bit for where his career is ATM. It's the people in charge of the academy when he was 17 or 18 that have done the damage. He should have been loaned out years ago and have a 100 games elsewhere under his belt by now and his body would be more robust imo, so should Kimpioka. If he goes to Pompey, then all the best to him. Our handling of the young lads has been **** for a good few years. Hopefully it's not too late for Diamond a he is about 22 I think. That's why I say it's good to see Almond and others go out on loan at 18. Best thing for them imo. But just my opinion, I'm nee coach or owt.
So Defoe back on? Cant keep up. If nothing else I hope it it proves Johnson isnt letting his ego get in the way, like some were suggesting. Still not a fan of the move but if they think he has something to offer fair enough and he will get my 100%.
Tbf I seen KLD, MLD, _Sartori, Speakman etc at the match and they seemed relaxed as ****. Tbh I wouldn't be too worried about our business at all, I think the last window proved that. They know what they're doing and what they want. Just be patient and see what happens
I think you make a good point mate. U23s football is not a good development path to 1st team football, in my opinion. If you value a young lad highly get them playing 1st team football at a couple of levels below, cover their wages, and watch them develop. Physically, mentally and tactically they will benefit. We are doing the right thing more often now I think.
Good on him. Was probably unlucky here not to get a better run at it. At least he has done for MK Dons and that is a favour for us.
Eoin Morgans thoughts on young England cricketers making their debut.... Experience more important than the result...... https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...ortant-than-winning-in-west-indies-t20-series
Well, they wouldn't be throwing their toys out of the pram, or booing and hissing now would they? hahaha
I'm not sure how much of not playing this season was down to a change of manager up there as well, the 3 season before this one he played 52 games and scored 25 goals and he didn't start all of those games, so although he's no spring chicken he knows where the net is. If we sign him and get it right on when to use him I believe it really could be the difference of automatics or play offs, we maybe can do it without him but I honestly think we have a better chance with him
I talk to a fair few youth coaches, up to prem level. Very few think u23s is right. It is a good breeding ground for technical work but lacks intensity. My view is it should be u20s, then we go back to old fashioned combination style reserves.
Aye I can see the arguments for. I’d love it to work out like and him to work with our kids as a coach going forward. I think your point depends what the alternatives are of course.
I’m not sure if I’m agreeing or disagreeing here. What’s a couple of levels below? I don’t think age comes into it….,. you have a youth team for young lads, who then progress to a reserve team, who are then ready for first team selection if good enough. Why is it more complicated than that?
They need to play 'proper' footy imo. Nothing more complicated than that. Just play against proper players i.e. blokes.
U23s to me is a bit of a wasteland. We have academy sides up tp u18, then next is u23. It used yo be u21, but was changed a few years ago to u23. To me what happens is lads who are 21, 22 are floating around in that, perhaps dropping from a prem club to a lesser one. I think it makes for a lower standard than old fashioned reserves of multiple ages. An u21 level then reserves would see a return to genuine intensity at the levels and players developing faster. Man City will be delighted at the progress of Doyle. He could have been in there u23s but this will be progressing him much faster. Just an opinion though. I watch u23s a bit and I think it is a bit easy come easy go.
Young players seemed to stop being loaned out as we put a team out in u23s. This is the wrong way to go about it all should be out in loan between 18 -20 at highest level they can get game time (need a level where they will be regular starters). I think with Speakman we will see how important having young players out on loan to get experience of first team football.
To me we should be getting those lads in u23 football out playing 30 games a season. Then get some of our younger players playing above their age levels. but it also means people need to stop whinging about our u23’s not winning games etc. it’s for development not winning things.
It shouldn't be about age really tbh, it should be on ability. If players are good enough then they play blokes footy, if not then they don't. The age shouldn't come into it.
