Atkinson was **** anyway. Barmby babes? :s Atkinson featured under Dowie, cullen under Dowie, and Devitt under Dowie. Cairney featured heavily under Broen with Cooper making a couple of appearances under Brown too
Pearson gave Barmby a coaching role before he stepped up to manager, Barmby put a lot of faith in the youth coming through, the Barmby Babes, he gave Nicky Featherstone a contract extension but didn't sign anyone else, he left Cameron Stewart in the side when he'd lost all confidence, Atkinson, Cullen, Devitt even Cooper never made it.
Featherstone had already been given another year before Nick took over coaching the youth team and he was released six months after Nick took over.
Actually from what I've seen of Atkinson playing for Bradford he looks a classy player and therefore it surprises me somewhat that Parky felt he wasn't good enough for Lg1.