i don't see us as 'in a predicament'. I see us as in another phase of our history. For Roger to agree that our Academy is undermined is just not factual. Today, for example, yet another academy player has been given a longer contract...til 2016 with a view to an extra year if deemed relevant at that time. We have no idea what the Pozzos have planned for the Academy, but that doesn't mean they are going to 'undermine' it, in my view they have shown nothing that substantiates that theory, and in my book, innocent til proven guilty. As far as i can see, they are willing to give our youth a chance. Yes the article is negative, but we have all agreed that there are some points that are made that we have all been concerned about. However, all he is done is shown the negative. The man is not a journalist by the look of it. He's a blogger. One sided arguments fit far better in blogs than in newspapers.
I don't understand what 'predicament' we are in? GZ has been given a large pool of players to choose from, where HE can choose who he thinks is suitable for the team. If they aren't good enough, then they won't be used. Yes we have sent some youngsters on loan, but then we have done that pretty much every season, to let them ain experience... and no doubt, like every season, we will release any that aren't good enough. The new contracts suggest the Academy and our own players still have a part to play. The fact we have to have a certain amount of home-grown players in a match-day squad means we still have to have a core of our own Yes there are some valid points, but I just think he is trying to make aneasy hit on us. It's like saying Man City is 'ruining' football, while discarding all the money they are spending on the infrastructure. They are spending big on the short term to 'catch up' while putting in something for the long term. I see the same with us (but obviously on a much smaller scale). What they are doing this season, and probablt for the next 2 or 3 are short term solutions to get us 'up there', and then hopefully we will be self-sustainable, where we can attracy quality on our own merit, while still attracting very good youngsters to our Academy For me, this article is whats wrong with football today - the short-termism attitude, without looking at the long term! Do I agree we are taking advantage of a loop-hole? Yes. Do I have a problem with it? Not if it is a short term measure for the benefit of a long-term gain
Here is the FTRE view of things. http://fromtherookeryend.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/pozzos-watford-case-for-prosecution.html
When the Malaysians throw their toys out of their pram over poor shirt sales in Asia, you'll be able to come back and tell us whether it was or not
This is the important point. When Dyche was sacked, I understood the role Nani and the Pozzo network would play in player recruitment, and that Zola would be the head coach. Which, incidentally, is exactly the position Sean was in last season. I lost count of how many interviews he did where he openly admitted to not having a clue whether Mariappa and Sordell would be staying or going in January. Anger at the Dyche sacking aside, my biggest fear was whether Zola would be the one picking the team. At the moment, I'm 100% satisfied that he is. After Taylor went and before Hall got fit, who was going to play centre back instead of Neuton? Cassetti has been overshadowed by Lloydinho this season, but it's hard to argue with Zola's belief that Cassetti is better suited to playing at wing back than Doyley. Yeates' place in the side is harder to understand, but no-one is suggesting that his constant inclusion is down to Gianluca Nani or Gino Pozzo's influence.
I don't think we are suddenly going to see loads of teams try to get taken over by a set of owners already running a club if that is what he is worried about turning into a pass the player on type situation which would be a bit of a farce. Also if we didn't have such a highly established and successful youth system would the article still be valid? I do agree it seems to be a case of Zola being given a number of players to work with he probably rather have picked from but its important to stress we could sign some of these loan players come next season. Unless they are all totally hopless its not like they'll be going back never to be seen again.
Sorry.... I dident mean predicament in that sense. Late night post & bad use of the English language (though apparently it can also just mean "A definite class, state or condition" (Wiktionary) All i really meant was how things are down at the vic. 'Position' would have been a better choice of word... or 'situation' I can see i'll have to be more careful on this board! PS Agree what you have stated about the blog nature of this article. But i guess it sells newspapers? (though not to me)
