Youth progression is a HUGE issue for them - not necessarily the biggest, but it is up there. They bought the club with the prospects of FFP on the horizon looking to invest in young, talented youth to grow and build into a side and increase in value - potentially to be sold later on. If they find a manager who promises them youth integration from the academy and fails to deliver, well, that's an issue. It means in order to sustain and top 4 challenge, they'll have to maintain funding big buys and they're simply not the type of owners who will do that - nor do our finances dictate that we can. The end of the season comment was pretty simple. It shows that it's not just, "integrate kids or go", but that there are other things to consider. Doesn't mean that the youth isn't a big priority though.Besides, would be foolish to sack a manager in February when he's finally got us playing well again. I volunteer information when I have it and, most of the time, what I pass on is correct - unlike the mystical reporter mate of RHC whom most people seem to listen to regardless. Maybe if I were one of the clique, chatted about badgers or 'the cheese' or averaged more than 3 posts a day people wouldn't be so dismissive of information. Board want the focus to be youth coming through the academy so the club can be self sustaining. Rodgers promised them he would do that when he got the job. Rodgers hasn't come close to doing so. Board not happy. This does not reflect my view, it's what I've been passed on. It's there, take it or leave it.
I have no doubt that RHC has a mate who's a reporter, it doesn't mean he's privy to genuinely sensitive information though and I'm sure a lot of what he tells him is merely his subjective opinion as opposed to word from the club. If you've got a direct line into the board at Anfield then I'd be absolutely amazed, as I can't remember you ever passing on any ITK type info that had any substance. If I've missed it then by all means set me straight
He's passed on info plenty of times, he just doesn't shout it from the roof tops PS... He was a bit harsh on RHC and his mate though. Things are never done and dusted until the dotted line is signed. At that point, it wouldn't a ITK revelation as ever media outlet would know following an announcement.
You make it sound like academies should be churning out quality young players instantly - Rafa only overhauled the new academy a few years. These things take time to produce results, and it's starting now as we've seen the likes of Sterling and Ibe break into the first team. Successful academies are built over decades
Benitez has been gone 5 years ffs and for the last time Ibe and Sterling were bought not produced by the academy You're talking absolute nonsense
Five years isn't that long for a revamped youth academy. The players we have or could have seen come through since then we're 13+ years at the time of the revamp. They would have already been set in their ways. The important period of profession is 7-12yrs
Benitez forced out Heighway 8 years ago ffs, and the people he brought in were ****ed off 2 years ago. To attempt to claim that his input into your academy was somehow a success off the back of 2 players bought after he left is ****ing barking.
You clearly didn't read my other posts - academies are there to develop players as well as find them. If you think the only measure of success of a academy is finding local talent, then you're deluded. And you're right that we bought Sterling and Ibe - but the coaching framework that Benitez implemented is what turned 14/15 year olds into first teamers. But because we signed these two players, we should dismiss the academy altogether... Oh and 5 years is nothing. I told you already, successful academies have been in place for decades before they bear fruit. You're clearly out of touch with the modern game.
Don't attempt to patronise me with your 4-4-2 inspired faux superiority on all things football.... We weren't having an in depth discussion on the structure and strategy of modern academies. I was merely countering your ridiculous and baseless assertion that the arrival in the first team of 2 bought in youngsters was somehow a result of the input of the FSW into your academy. It's utter nonsense, given the known quality of both lads when you bought them, plus the Waiters staff have long since been canned so any lingering claim that his strategy might be still having ended there.......
You're absolutely right - ibe and sterling didn't need any coaching whatsoever to get into the first team. They just did what they want at training and have now become first team players. Incredible talents
And if buying young players in is an easy win no training required then what happened to £6m Powell, £4m Henrique, £3.9m Buttner, £15m Zaha, £7.4m Bebe?
...yeah lad and Benitez was such a coaching guru for youngsters that every young lad who's arrived there both during his time and since have gone on to be huge successes...........oh wait....
Apart from Sterling ... And yet again you talk about signings. The legacy Rafa left is the coaching set up. Unfortunately you can't grasp the concept that coaching takes years to develop and implement.
