Academy killers? It has been confirmed that, following scans, young Alex Mowatt does not need an operation on the knee he injured in the Brum game. That's a relief!! Here is my question ... are we pressing our young talent into hard service too soon? Look at our two recent Academy successes, Byram and Mowatt. Both have suffered injuries and look to have physically taken strain. Byram's breakthrough season was spectacular, but it came at a cost. His hip injury hasn't completely cleared up, and this is leading to other problems, like the hamstring strain that's keeping him out of the team right now. I genuinely fear that Byram may take another season to get back to full physical fitness before he can contribute effectively again. Mowatt also burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion, and in the first half of the season he was arguably our best midfielder ... however, since the turn of the year he has started to look sluggish, his play slowed down and he started to get knocked off the ball easier by physical opponents ... he also suffered an injury which has affected his progress, and this latest setback we'll know more about when pre-season comes around. We have successfully brought young players through who have physically stood up to the requirements of firts team football, the latest being Tom Lees. He had the benefit of long loan spells in the lower divisions to aid him of course, but had he not suffered a serious injury as a sixteen year old would he have been loaned out to prove his recovery? Did that injury affect his development plan, or would he have been pressed into first team action a lot earlier with potential negative consequences? Both Byram and Mowatt were drafted into the first team earlier than expected due to the poor squad we have. Colin selected Byram ahead of senior pros like Peltier or older Reserves like Thompson. Mowatt got pressed into service ahead of 'take-your-pick" in midfield. Yes, as fans these were selections that excited us, especially when the young 'uns showed flashes of class and genuine potential, but are we gong to pay for playing them consistently so early in their careers? There is a young 'un who genuinely excites me for next season - Charlie Taylor. He has had a few loan spells already, the latest one being a long stint at Fleetwood in Lge Two where he has helped them into a promotion fight, so at least he is performing under pressure. He has also benefited from having Graham Alexander as his manager, a quality full-back in his day, to guide him on playing his position effectively. I believe Taylor will be our next left back, and he should be ready to step up next season with Warnock as his back up and mentor. So will Byram and Mowatt fulfill their undoubted potential? We actually need them to, because it will save us a lot of money whilst also encouraging other youngsters to push on, like Dawson (who also suffered a season destroying shoulder injury). With Cellino focusing on the Academy, the continued appearance of graduates who are contributing to first team success is a must to keep attracting talent. Step up Charlie Taylor, you're our next bright hope. "For the sake of Leeds United he would break himself in two"
I love following the Leeds Rhino's their academy line for young talent must be one of the best in the world, they constantly have 18 and 19 year old's playing for them. It always bewilders me why Rugby players battle through games and appear for their teams week after week in what is a far more physical game than football. I wish I could remember what I felt like as an eighteen year old, I wish I could but.... I don't buy into the fact that it is too demanding asking an 18 year old to play 90 minutes of football. Some people are just more prone to injuries, take RVP as an example and Woodgate
I'd have to agree... it's the old 'If you're good enough, you're old enough' cliché. If you look look at some of the younger talent that has been thrown in at the deep end in the premier league (Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling etc) they have all done very well and haven't had major injury problems... On the flip side look at some of the Arsenal youngsters which seem to continually have issues with injury. Maybe it's down to coaching and strength/fitness, maybe it's down to individual susceptiveness. probably a bit of both.
I Don't think there is a one size fits all for this argument. With 'kids' a lot of it is to do with whether they've fully finished growing. I know mowatt was knackered when he first made the first team... The pace and physicality is a big step up. He doesn't come across as a natural athlete (polite way of saying he's a bit one paced and that pace isnt a quick one), so maybe that has something to do with it.
