So what happened to Nemeth? Why is it so many of the stars over the years that don't get the hype in the academy are the ones that make it big... yet, the ones that do get the hype rarely seem to make it big. Once upon a time Lindfield was going to be the saviour- he was going to be better than Owen (when Owen was actually any good). I think he is still playing in some lower league club and he has to be well into his 20s by now. Nemeth (22 now) - was the next one- went to Olympiacos and never even shone there- they wern't impressed and loaned him out to another club. In 13 appearances last season he only scored one goal.... IN GREECE! I'm kinda disappointed he never shone- as a Liverpool fan (and part Hungarian) I had always hoped he would succeed- and I'm disappointed someone so highly hyped ended up so poorly. Is Pacheco next? He took over the mantle of most hyped after Lindfield and Nemeth lost their way. Plessis was at one point the next big thing... as was Spearing, who actually might do OK for us long term- verdict is still out. Meanwhile who did make it to the first team- Darby, Kelly, Flanaghan. All three look excellent prospects- and whereas some recognised them whilst still kids- these were not the kind that got all the praise or hype. BTW- don't read this thread the wrong way- I am pumped about our youth prospects- I think Rafa really turned it around, and we're beginning to see the benefits of that now. (under new leadership) Our youth give us reason to be optimistic. I just am kinda disappointed that so many of the hyped kids are false-hopes.
First of all, welcome to the forum! I'd say that it is the pressure. Some of these kids were 15/16/17 and they were still very young. They got a tag of being the next greatest thing and it clearly got to them. Let's hope that the kids coming through now don't get too much pressure put on them and that the club can let them develop without the pressure. That is the most important thing in my opinion. Let the kids play and enjoy their football.
Many problems occur when youths try and make the jump into truly professional football. Physically they may not develop - the power to weight ratio goes haywire. As well each of us have a limited pot of ability it could well be that he had reached his peak before he left us. Chris's suggestion that the pressure can get to them is well made too.
I was never one to get carried away with some of the earlier prospects we had, I just didn't see that supposed star quality and that relates to some that you mentioned. The current crop is the first time in many years that I believe we have got it right. I'll eat my proverbial hat if Sterling, Suso, Robinson, Coady, Wisdom and Kelly don't play at the very top of the game. I didn't include Flanagan as I don't see the same quality in him but still feel he is good enough to play in the prem.
If Rafa left us with a legacy it is that he was insistant that we develop a proper youth policy so that Sterling, Robinson kelly etc are not merely a one-off fluke.
add neil mellor to the list of failures although he does feature in one of my all time favorite goals "mellor lovely cushioned header, gerrard OHHHHHH YOU BEAUTY!!!! TAKE A BOW SON!"
