This is one to watch, if he is that good why have we not signed him up long term before he is thieved, a possible Steve Caulker on the way out. http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=356205
Bristol City FC ‏@bcfctweets · 11h NEWS: #BristolCity agree professional contracts for seven players: Batten, Morrell, Last, Fry, Horgan, Lemonheigh-Evans and Bishop. Just read this on twitter, no mention of a Davies being offered a deal, makes you wonder.
The simple fact of the story is that we rarely play any of our academy products. We know this, so the academy players will absolutely know this. Signing a professional deal is no indication that you will play for Bristol City, and given our history I reckon these players will get a dozen appearances among them. If I had Premier League teams looking for me and a contract in front of me from Bristol City I'd want assurances of how much game time I would get in the first-team. Otherwise, you're effectively switching a League 1 team's academy for a Premier League (possibly soon to be Championship) academy.
It's all very well being 16 years old getting looked at by a prem team, then if Bristol city offer you a deal you ask how much game time will I get in the first team? The answer will be, "well that's up to you" We can't guarantee a 16 year old he will play for the first team, he has to put the effort in and be better than what is playing. Most of the time the youngsters cant cut it and end up playing for Bath/Clevedon/Weston. Riberio was wanted by Everton, fontaine by Liverpool. Now look at them! If they are good enough they will play, if they aren't, then they shouldn't be anywhere near the first team.
Just because another club is showing interest, an making it public in the process, does not mean one of our Academy lads will want to go!
Apart from Bryan….and Reid…and Burns…and Morell (who was only 16). Simple fact BristolCity will NOT be playing div 4 football next season. Be thankful and keep sacrificing your goats (or whatever you do)
Just reading through and come across this and thought I would update . rumour is Swansea and Fulham have both already made offers.He has already been moved from U18 squad and is training and playing with U21 squad.Fulham have supposedly been at every game he has been invovled in over pre season??? He will be 17 soon so then will be able to sign a pro contract.(hopefully with City)
By the end of this season there is a possibility that we could be in the Championship and Fulham in League One? So which would be the better bet for a 17 year old?
The Academy is supposed to be developing players for our first team - seems little point in selling them for peanuts at 16/17
