Armstrong and Kemen

Given we have all pretty much accepted our season is over (the players included looking at their recent "efforts"), is it time to give these two young lads a run?

Yes they are only 17 but we need to find out about them at some stage. There will be some dead games between now and the season end, and I think some half hour run outs for these two would give them a big boost and the rest of the academy. Obviously it needs to be tied in with ensuring the world cup players getting games to keep them happy and the U18's games, but it would be nice to see them given an opportunity.

 

I don't know enough about either of these to know if it's them, but it's about time we had a youngster who was ready to break through. Other teams have had young players come through and establish themselves in the first team as teens, but I don't remember the last time one of ours did that. Armstrong certainly looked vert good yesterday and took his goal very well. As long as they were given full support and also protected from any backlash then 'd be all for it.

 

I'd agree. I sometimes think we blood players too late such as Vuckic and Tav. Could maybe even add Chopra to that. Get them game time at 17/18 and they'll progress much quicker than they will in the reserves or out on loan.

 

Both good players and I was very impressed with Kemen who looks a real star of the future.

 

Good shout Hacky. I'd play them both every other game to asses their capability.

 

Incidentally, what's happened to Fergie ?

He made a handful of appearances and looked a whisker off being starting quality. We loaned him to Birmingham, which I thought was a brilliant idea to get some rough and tumble competitive starts under his belt. Now he doesn't seem to be able to make the bench. Disappointing

 

I believe hes back over there

 

Yes he's listed as being at Birmingham, Clarkie knows a good player when he sees one. Hopefully he'll nurse him through and help build his confidence up.

Shane Ferguson 27 Midfielder.

 

Abeid has been playing really well in Greece as well. I know he was written off before this season but maybe he can make the grade next season.

 

Can we get to forty points first I seem to think we could be stuck on 37 for a while yet

 

Far from convinced that Alan Pardew has the ability to manage emerging talent, to be honest. Sorry, not trying to bash the manager (couldnt really give a fluff anymore), just passing comment that not one youngster has flourished under AP.

 

Maybe they're scared of him.

 

It is a bit of a manager bash though. Misplaced in my opinion. It isn't really down to Pardew to develop the young players prior to them joining the first team. SAF got loads of credit for the group who came through at Man U but it was the youth coaches who really should have taken the huge slap on the back (Eric Harrison in particular).

I think it is more down to what we have produced rather than some failing of the various managers. KK through to Pardew, we have produced f all. Those are the cold hard facts. When you have had people like Sir Bobby at the helm I think the problem clearly runs deeper than the manager. Ardiles was the last to bring through anything decent with the likes of Elliott, Watson, Armstrong, Howey, Clark. Lets be honest, up until last year our academy was a pile of ****e and didn't even have category one status. If Sammy is the best of the group we have produced I think that tells its own story.

Obviously Kemen has been bought but the reports are good. Armstrong looks the best we have produced for a number of years. We've taken a punt on the likes of Vuckic and Abeid but they never really developed in our 2nd rate academy or just simply not been that good. Whether the coaches there are just not up to scratch or its a combination of that and the facilities I don't know. The signs have been gradually looking better. The likes of Dummett, Campbell, Newton, Tavernier, Ferguson looking like they have a future in football. Maybe Streete if he can stay out the treatment room. We just need to keep progressing and persevere, hopefully in time we'll get a few more who can actually cut it at the top level. It takes a long time to get a successful academy though. Pardew has us further forward than at any time in the past although some credit must go to the fat man.

 

I know he's over there - - the point I was making is that he can't seem to make the Birminghan bench these days. How has that happened ?

 

Being honest, when I watched them he has been pretty ****. Started ok but then seemed error prone. He just seemed to slide out of contention. Disappointing as he looked good last seasonf or them.

 

Fergie hasn't started a first team match at Birmingham since Oct. so it would seem he's gone backwards. Did score and assisted another for Birmingham U.21's today.

 

Why not just sell places on the team on ebay? We get some money from a few of our richer supporters, or richer opposition fans who want to purposefully harm our team, and we can't possibly be any worse than the s*** we've been playing...

Win, win, utterly humiliating loss, you might say

 

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