The Conference will be tough for Rovers so they need to recruit good quality players. So could loans of City Academy youngsters be of value? Our boys, those not likely to figure in our first team during the first half of the season, would be playing at a better level than Academy under 18's. They would be confronted by a mixture of hardened old pros and other good youngsters on loan. For Rovers it would be a cost effective way to get 5 or 6 quality squad players without having to uproot from afar. For City it could speed up their development into League One regulars. What do both sides think?
I would have agreed with you a few months ago, but if our academy is only producing players capable of playing in the conference then we may as well give up now. This season is where we need to start playing our academy hopefuls, otherwise they will leave. It's been two years since we started promoting the academy and the stars in the academy are probably wondering when they will get their chance. If they don't get that chance during the third year then they will go to a similar League 1 team that will probably be happy to give them first-team football. If anything, our weakest players should be capable of playing in the conference. I'd love to see us send some hopefuls their way and for our academy to help them get back into the Football League because in my eyes we need two professional teams in Bristol. What I would hate is to drive away our most talented academy players because we still don't have enough faith in them to play in our first team.
I'm not thinking about Burns, Bryan, Reid, possibly Batten, Morrell, Bishop. But for some of the other first year pros at 17/18 years, the Conference would be a steep learning curve. I feel it would definitely help their development into the senior game. Would it also benefit Rovers or do they need more mature hardened pros to get the revival going?
At 17 they will be playing other cat 2 academies. Its a higher standard than the Gas provide their under 18's. They should be part of the set up here, playing in a team focussed towards the first team. A team is needed here to support the better prospects and later developers. Each player supports each team mate. At 17 they are still kids, emotionally and physically development should not be forced v non league hoofers. I speak to one of City's lads who is also a youth international, a cracking lad who has moved through from a local development centre. Emotionally he is not ready and understands he has to toughen up, they are not all Gerry Gows.
If it helps with the development of any of our kids then yes. Going on loan to a League 2 club like Cheltenham preferable
Very valid points Cliftonville. I remember many years ago, Joe Mercer making this very point. That under 18 teams and players look like world beaters until they get in or around the first team, when they get snuffed out by the old pros usually aged around 27 to 30. These guys know all the dodges and how to frustrate the youthful enthusiasm of the young ones. That is when many fall by the wayside and only the very strong, mentally and physically, survive. I posted this thread to see if anyone considers there could be benefits to both Bristol clubs with closer links such as loan deals for our young first year pros.
after the way the sag treated John Akinde I wouldn't send them any players Forest Green, Cheltenham, Exeter, Newport, Torquay, Hereford and Salisbury could benefit with a few youngsters thou
