Thought this article asked some good questions http://www.watford.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=255134 What do you guys think?
It is perhaps the biggest concern I have. The reduction to 5 subs certainly hasn't helped and I guess staying in the division is top priority but if you do not give the youngsters a chance then we could be in trouble in the future. Massey turned down an attractive opportunity for what he viewed was better first team opportunities at Watford. If we take that away then what is keeping the better Academy graduates at the club? As a result if we are in trouble, who do we sell to balance the books?
What Si said. With previous first teamers such as Hodson, Jenkins and Whichelow more or less out of the picture, Sordell is really the only current academy breakthrough (I'm not forgetting Mapps and Doyley, but they broke through donkey's years ago). Give us back the extra two subs, and those lads plus Murray, Mingoia and Massey would be battling for the two places, getting minutes more often than not.
Dyche has acknowledged that he thought the squad needed more depth, and that he felt that youngsters had been thrown in at times last season when they shouldn't have been. The point is that if Massey, Murray, Whichelow and others are going to be good enough players, then they are going to have to challenge others for their place. Meanwhile, if they are nowhere near the first team because all above them are fit and playing well, then they can go out on loan. During most of the periods when we were good last year, the only player breaking through was Sordell, and even he was presumably supposed to be behind Deeney at the start of last year, but his form led to his continued selection. Although I am with you, that I do generally like to see academy products get their fair chance. Time will tell.
This law change was the most backward assed ever- i propose we do something start a petition- you can bring on anyone undet 21- all this law benefits are clubs that dont have a youth pplicy who should be punished.
Have to say that I am disappointed that the likes of Whichelow, Mingoia, Murray, Massey, Smith, Thompson, Hodson, Bennet, Bryan are not involved in the first team. Possibly Sean has a big plan that maybe needs 2 or 3 seasons to pan out - I suspect however that survival this season was at the top of the list and player development possibly off the list.
The 5-sub rule was a rediculous decision and helps no-one but hinders many. If you don't have the players, then only name 5!! There was talk about someone petitioning for this to be made up to 7, with the 2 extra having to be Academy players... so let's hope that goes through. The younger players will get their chance... through injury to others, and by proving themselves on the training pitch, on loan at other clubs and in reserve matches. It's good having depth and not having to rely on youngsters, but being able to call on them when you want to rather than need to. They will get their chance, they just need to be patient!
Well unless the Prem clubs want any changes, then do not hold your breath..football in this country is run to benefit the pockets of the Prem Clubs and the old duffers at the FA
With 40 games to go we'll see plenty of team changes before May. If the youngsters are good enough I think they'll get chances. The likes of Murray and Thompson have impressed me but we've had skilful players in the past who haven't progressed into regular Championship players so these young players have to prove they have the right mentality too. That said I absolutely agree that every incentive should be given to a club like ours to maintain its quality academy.
The game is over a season not a month! We need the squad size, depth and experience along with the fresh legs to perform over the full term. The last couple of seasons have been marked by a distinct falloff in form in the early new year due to many factors including loanee departures but also the fact the squads have been to light and unbalanced. This year I would hope to see Dychey play a decent game of chess bringing youngsters through at the right time, fresh legs to hit tired opponent squads will be a great asset after christmas. Lets wait and see how the season pans out, yes we need more academy products stepping up to the mark but musn't burn them out either.
The 5 subs rule applies to the FL and JPT only - all competitions which Prem clubs are involved in still have 7 subs.
Agreed Aberdeen , although we kept a fair amount of our kids from the evil clutches of the prem ,with the selling point of that they will be a lot closer to getting regular games! We must be careful that we dont lose one of our best selling points in this regard! I too think the cutting of subs to 5 is a backwards step especially when we used to use these slots to give the youngsters a bit of matchday experience!
We are getting better. The last 3 games we are unbeaten and we have improved in each one. Sean Dyche is a good manager and will be successfull at watford.I hope.
Its the great conundrum that Dyche can't win, if he doesn't bring in experience then there is anxiety that we will be relying on untried and unproven youth, if he goes for experience then there is a worry that great talents nutured through our academy won't come to fruit. I echo the sentiments people have mentioned here, in that Dyche has a decent sized squad that will mean youngsters will most certainly get their chances but they won't be over-exposed and over-relied upon as at times they were last season. Maybe it's a good thing they can't get in, as we can loan them out to League 1 and 2 clubs to really find out if they can make the grade. The likes of Massey, Murray and Mingoia should be sent out to League 2 to test their mettle...if they come through they'll be much better for it.
seems fair emiatss! like the adage cant keep all the people happy all the time , skill of a good manager , along with getting things done ,is to keep as many as possible happy!!
Agree with you wholeheartedly Emiatss. Dyche can't win, 5 or 6 weeks ago supporters were saying 'Things are looking a lot rosier now we've got some new players' Now it's 'We must play youngsters so we can sell them on at a profit' There are some lads I feel sorry for ie;Thompson,Mingoia,Bennett but there chances will come,maybe Thompson should be our regular right back now,but Dyche is paid to make decisions. For now lets look at the immediate aim-survival. I think everybody will agree with a team of youngsters we would be in a worse position than we are now.
I have said this before but our kids are not manly enough for the rigours of week in, week out Championship football. I feel bringing in experience or men is better for us, the kids can be bled in over the season. Yes send them out on loan to lower division clubs to get the experience of playing every week, but have a good recall plan just in case. I feel this season we have fallen foul as have many championship teams of the ridiculous 5 named subs rule, which does not benefit any team it hinders progression of the younger squad players hence the requirement to send them out on loan.
My idea for the younger players would be to give each player a month or so on the bench and use them as the 3rd sub. That way they get some time with the first team and training fully with them, but also get game time. It does not have to be a whole game, but even 15mins will benefit them no end. We only seem to use 1 sub in a lot of games which means a lot of players get tired and we lack any momentum in the final 25mins of matches when we often need to be pushing on for a win.
