Totally agree that it is a great read for any Watford fan. For me the frightening figure in there was, "that 85% of kids in football at 17 are not still in it by 21" I think that this shows that we really must trust the professionals to do what is right for the kids and let them decide when they are ready for the first team.
Agreed it's a great read. The best part for me was Hope, a 16 year old Arsenal fan, saying even if Arsenal came knocking he would prefer to remain at Watford as he has more chance of making it
so...how much do we start worrying about this? http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-to-work-with-Nigel-Clough-article862095.html
1. It's from the Mirror. 2. "The news will come as a surprise to Watford". I would like to think it says it all, but with it being a person behind the scenes rather than a player, I'm not so sure.
bit worrying, and just when everyone was getting settled? Any chance we can include him as a player and say the transfer windows closed......so sod off till the end of the season!!!!!! If any of this is true, that is?
If we don't become a tier one academy, I think Wilson will walk within a year. If we do become a tier one academy, I think he'll stay long enough to demonstrate the results.
I think I read the criteria to become a 'Tier 1' Academy is; - The top level category will require clubs to have an approximate budget of £2.325m. - Have a full time staff of at least 18. - Provide at least 5 hours contact time with players each week. (The current 90 minute travel rule will not apply.) I believe we put in about £1m into our Academy, so very unlikely we are going to double that! Also not sure how many staff we have there - Obviously a number of teachers throughout the whole Academy, but how many are related to the football? Hopefully the fact we have much more than just 5 hours contact will count in our favour, plus our record of bringing through the youth to the first team! Hopefully it is not just money-orientated.... but you know the Prem!!
From the article. Wilson has only just joined Watford from Scottish First Division side Falkirk and the move will come as a surprise to them – but Derby are determined to get their man. I am sure he is not their man he is our man. He is their target. Does this show how football is moving. Club A does the work club B buys what it wants by having more money, perhaps we did the same to Falkirk. If he goes he has gone but Derby County are not Malky Mackay and Cardiff City. Why would Ross Wilson want to go to Derby County? They will not be in the Premiership soon.
Hence Sir Graham and Ross both saying that the weighting of the relevant criteria is key. We get 15 hours contact time, and there's scope to bump that up to 18. There is also scope to fiddle around with full time staff to get closer to 18. It's all a case of how much credit we get for being 10-13 hours a week above the recommended contact time, and whether what Harefield spends on the academy lads over and above what we do can be counted towards the funding.
I did wonder quite where to put this article, but thought that it would have an impact on the club, so posted it here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16925942
that's going to mean that a lot of young players are not going to get games or feeder clubs will develop
I think too much is being made of this. What it really means is that the big clubs have to consider more carefully where they send their youngsters (good news for clubs that treat loanees well), and that in the longer term it will be even harder for a youngster to break through at the very top clubs (great news for great academies).
According to Twitter we are getting a striker in on loan? Maybe the Trotta guy we've been linked to who is at Fulham but had a successful loan spell with Wycombe.
aw, hey Scoredell ...are you keeping your name? It's such a good one! Hmm, well, i've heard it from a few very reliable sources...and yes, sometimes that can mean it's a pile of baloney, but i'm hoping not (which is why i said 'almost'
Well I don't see why we can't get him, would be good if we could. And yes, I think I will change my name now you mention it haha!
From what i know of him, he's just what we need..but i've thought that before and been disappointed, so i'll wait and see, but so far..i'm happy lol... and coolio, what will you call yourself?
