Sure, but the whole point of this thread is whether to play the youngsters and probably more importantly how to get them game time. Chambers has been covering really well for Clyne, but if both fit the Clyne plays. During games FBs are rarely subbed unless injured (take a bow Luke) so Chambers will get a sore arse sitting on the bench unless Clyne or Shaw are injured. So the only way I can see of Chambers and our other talented wide players getting a game is changing to a 433 and playing a kid against the other teams weakest fullback. JWP is probably best on the right as he adds cover to the fullback and gives him room to whip in his crosses
No it isn't really, it is as the first part of your sentence: whether to play them or not and how much, not how to get them game time... you've drifted slightly away from the OP.
Sorry but the way I read it was to push the youth or play our strongest team, so in answer to that from the youths only Shaw will play regular football with the likes of Chambers and JWP coming in for injuries and some cameo roles from others. Unless the management can be abit more flexible with our system to fit in youth team players. If there is any manager that has the reputation of pushing youth then it is MP.
There's still 54 points to play for. Once it's mathematically certain we're safe, and unlikely to go lower than 10th, I'd give some of the youngsters on the fringe minutes.
However determined Mauricio is to play the youngsters, his first priority is to win games. Shaw is worthy of a starting place...JWP will be used strategically...Chambers is a good replacement for Clyne when needed. For the moments, others will get odd minutes as part of their training. Youngsters are given opportunities, but we want to have a strong second half to the season.
We don't want to throw too many in at once, we've tried that before and we ended up in League 1. Also, look at West Ham, who played a number of youngsters against Forest. I feel that you need to work them in slowly, and alongside a settled, experienced team where they can learn more, and with less pressure on them.
They weren't the youngsters. Youngsters assumes there were older players around at the time, and apart from Jermaine Wright and a couple of others, that was it. Those youngsters were the first team proper. It wasn't a case of throwing too many in. That's all we had. Those memories have given me indigestion.
We are playing the youngsters. When they're good enough, they play. I don't think there's any need to throw em all in before they're ready, when the current system is working so well.
Yes good point TSS. Plus its very diferent coming into a side threatened with relegation as against one doing well.
Yes, agree with this and even more importantly, don't change the current forward momentum just to 'blood' young players. Bring them in as we go and in 2/3 years time, we could have Shaw version 2, Chambers version 2, JWP version 2 playing alongside the then very well established and very good Premier League experienced 'stars' such as Shaw the original, Chambers the original and JWP the original. Lallana will still be there and then we will be discussing the next two or three hitting the news. Four or five years from now, at the current 'slow' rate of introducing youngsters, we could have a team of 8 or 9 academy players with 2 or 3 brought in 'stars'. Perfefct.
