We pride ouselves on having one of if not the best academy in england and considering the amount of players we have produced that play in the leagues, (matt mills, blackstock, mcgoldrick, dyer, surman,walcott,bale etc) should we finally use it to our full advantage or should we splash the cash and grab the headlines. I personally am enjoying watching leicster splash their cash coz the more money they spend, more players they buy then the more pressure they put on themselves from fans and pundits to walk the league and i personally think they will fall over themselves. If i had my way i would like to see doble/hoskins/sinclair come through and be given a go up top as i feel we've got plenty of striking talent in they're already. The players i know to watch and are closet to breaking in are ward-prowse and luke shaw. Having said that i would like to see a solid CB come in and then see martin take over which no doubt he will. Thoughts please....
I would like to see a couple of the youngsters given a chance this year, maybe in the cups or if we are in a solid mid table position towards the end of the season (hopefully play offs though)
Well Cortese used the comparison of Barcelona, in that we have a core group of players who develop together and form the spine of the team. From there, we can buy in any extra players. I'd like to see that, would save us a lot more money compared to bringing someone else in who may not gel with our style of play.
I maybe wrong and I have not seen the names who have travelled to Switzerland, but don't think any of the youngsters are banging the door down for 1st team football just yet. The names mentioned have only just offically joined the academy. Agree that a solid U18/U21 campaign and we may see some knocking on the door towards the end of the season. Martin will be the main breakthrough for this season.
I too wouldn't mind the youngsters breaking through, already we have the likes of Martin, Doble, Reeves, Ward-Prowse, Shaw etc on the edge of the 1st team Martin, Doble and Reeves (I THINK) are in Switzerland with the 1st team saintlyhero
Forgot about Doble....He did ok in League 2 and has had a little international recognition. Perhaps another loan spell for him this season, Reeves should be pushing Richardson & Butterfield. He seems to have bundles of pace, but does he have the strength?
There is an old football adage, "if they are good enough then they are old enough" and i'm sure that NC and NA are waiting for the next Chambo to break through. There is absolutely no point in blooding a young player if they are not ready and that comes down to Nigel's judgement. I think that there will come a time when half the team will be made up from our Academy products, but getting established in the Premier League is the primary goal for the next three years.
Martin is in switzerland - saw sibleys twitpics, didnt see any other youngsters tho. did see forecast tho
I am all in favour of bringing players through the ranks, but I also remember the last time in the Championship when our youngsters were just pushed off the ball. They need to be nurtured and allowed to develop until their physique is mature enough for the first team. I think that when you look at the players that we have bought in, generally they are those whose best years are ahead of them. Previously, we have bought in experienced players at the end of their careers who can do a job for a season or two. I think it shows how much has changed that we no longer think in that short-term way.
ahh wondered who that was, the number 29 at the back, nigel must have plans for him to go with the first team
