Academies...with the notable exception of Southampton's what exactly have they produced?? Our's being a prime example. Take Southampton's blueprint and transplant it via the FA to the rest. Oh sod it..who cares
Crewe have a pretty good academy as well. The thing that Southampton do so well is that they play English players instead of shipping in a whole starting eleven of foreign players (e.g. Citeh) For example (final match of last season): Southampton had 9 players in their squad (7 played) Where as Citeh had 4 with 2 playing We also need to look at what Burnley do with producing brilliant strikers that are homegrown (such as Austin, Ings and Vokes) all being bought in the last couple of years.
Richie, Freddie Steele, Bloor, Smith, Pejic and others I could name. All local lads. SIS and I were talking about this tother day! The player's ARE out there but pressure to (do well) Is all about MONEY= Sky tv so the richer clubs buy overseas player's. Germany no where near the same amount. Just saying.
until the FA bring in rules where every team has to play atleast 5 English players in their starting lineup, academies will remain useless.
