How good is it ? My point is , IF the rumours of RK not being keen on it are true , what IS the reason ? His arrogance or , perhaps , a lack of quality coming through ? Football is now a BIG business , investors / owners want INSTANT Success , why spend on an academy , when you can buy in NOW . Is our vision , a vision of the future ? Or a bit late ?
I think people are making too much of what RonKo said, he implied that none of the current options are quite ready to be thrown in to the deep end, doesn't mean that they never will feature, they have to perform to the best of their ability to draw attention to themselves. If you watch the games it will become obvious.
Also, when people talk about the Academy all the blame seems to be put on Koeman. I feel like the club has not taken advantage of EPPP/FFP as much as they could have. There's a fairly strong incentive there to snatch up as many promising youngsters as you can.
The two players I think should've had a bit more of a look-in over these past few weeks are Reed and Seager. Vic's been out and Reed is almost a like for like player. We have been struggling to finish goal opportunities and we have a natural finisher on the bench, surely he should've been put on, just to see what he can do. I think our academy is fine and I have high hopes for Reed, Targett, McCarthy, Mugabi, Hesketh and Seager in the future.
I agree, with Seager as I have said elsewhere, he isn't a stand out player in the U21's games, but the ball has found its way into the net on many occasions, he has a natural knack of scoring, you can't buy that.
Agreed. With the end of catchment areas, we have also seen a few kids from the big clubs jump to our academy owing to the greater likelihood of progressing into the first team. It's one of few, possibly the only, competitive advantage we enjoy over the rest of the PL, but only if we continually demonstrate that we are the best destination for kids between 16 (the academy 'transfers') and 20 (the snatching up of young players on their first pro contracts).
There is a strange blockage somewhere in the club at the moment. Scouts are recommending players for the academy, but no players are being signed. Club seems a bit fixated with giving contracts to existing U21's who, on the whole, have not shown the necessary ability (or desire) to get into the First team. Don't expect another wonderkid anytime soon.
Can not see how they are similar,Vic is easily taken out of the passage of play by a simple 1-2 as he is so slow to turn. Harry brings more speed to the team as he is always looking for the forward pass, not the quickest of players but he busts a nut to get back into position if play passes him, not as heavy as Vic in the tackle but wins alot and if he can not take the ball he slows their attack down. The only thing that our 3 dms have in common is their ability in picking up cards, but that goes with the position,good to see Mugabi playing again
Hang on! Stop the Press! CBK is back. Welcome back. Your special form of satire has been missed by me for one.
I said it the other day - you can't make a wonderkid no matter how good your academy is - but you can attract one - that's why we need the best academy
Well, seeing that today strikers like Lewis Grabban are worth 8 milion pounds, I think it's very prudent to invest in the academy.
Not sure we have as strong a management set up overseeing the Academy that we once did. I know a Saints scout, he just shared his concern that the club reacts more slowly to recommendations than a few years ago. Not sure if that means there is another layer of middle management at the club creating a bottle neck, or perhaps someone on the board is interfering more. We just don't seem to be as interested or quick off the mark in taking a punt on UK based youngsters already at other clubs or in non-league, as we once did.
I know nothing about this but is it possible that we are just more choosey as we are looking for youngsters now who we hope will make the step up to the Premier League and not Championship/League 1? We can only play so many at u18/u21 so is it in their interests to be with us if they might not get to play?
Not saying things haven't changed, but I remember a while ago someone at the club saying we try to keep numbers down at the Academy so that the pathway remained clear. We aren't interested in signing a lot like Chelsea do.
There seems to be a lot of talent and ability in the Academy, but maybe not the power/strength. I am thinking some guiness and pies may be in order. Edit: I may just have seen a new career move for me there...
