12 new recruits to the academy

New scholars arrive at the Academy of Light.
A dozen young footballers have taken the next step in their fledgling careers by joining the club full-time.
The new intake of U18 players officially started pre-season at the Academy of Light earlier this week, kicking off their two-year scholarships.
Nine of the 12 have been with the club for a number of years, with several having already featured for the under-18 side whilst still at school.
Goalkeeper Greg Purvis, centre-back David Lowrie, left-back Denver Hume and versatile right-back Josh Robson will bolster the defensive ranks.
Meanwhile, wingers Kieran Graham and Luke Molyneux, central midfielders Daniel Pybus and Daniel Wright, and striker Andrew Nelson have also joined full-time.
The club have also acquired a trio of Ireland youth internationals, including central defender Dan Casey who signed for Sunderland a year ago and has moved to the UK after completing his studies.
Left winger Avis Ganiyu and forward Jean-Yves Poame have also made the move across the Irish Sea.
The new arrivals have been undertaking a four-day induction before fitness testing takes place on Friday.
The football will then get under way in earnest next week ahead of the start of the programme of pre-season friendlies.
Academy manager Ged McNamee said: “The induction covers health and safety and the educational aspect, including talks from the likes of Barclays.
“The off-field activities take place this week and then we’ll start with physical testing on Friday before getting out on the grass on Monday.”
He added: “Obviously the second-years have had a year’s full-time coaching and will be at a more advanced stage than the first-years coming in.
"The boys are all on individual programmes and that individuality has to be address during the collective pre-season.
“The demands of the coaching they had last year will be increased again and it’s a case of gradually building that up."

 

How many will make it to the first team I wonder?

 

Pybus and Nelson names to watch out for.

 

History would suggest that in the next 3 years possibly one.

 

Thought we were set up to take in kids from all over the globe? They've come from as far as Ireland, looks likes nowt changed. Is there no development budget for this year? What is Ged playing at? Development staff overhaul needed me thinks. Let Congerton set it up and bring in the staff, our lot are useless.

 

We've been in the Premier league for 7/8 seasons ad should now have players coming off the end of the 'production line' ......... we haven't.

In any industry that's unacceptable and it needs to improve or change.

 

I`ve already made my views on this subject abundantly clear so I`m not going through it all again.

iirc There was talk at the end of last season when Gus wanted changes and both he and Congerton were to be more involved. He`s not going to get a different style of player through if the staff are incapable of coaching them. We need to be rid of the dinosaurs imo.

The academy contribution has been very poor.