So far in the transfer market I'm really pleased. I think we are adding quality at a very reasonable price. Just seems that Dick has got his act together on this one more so than anyone we have had for a long time. Congers deserves a mention to because I presume it was him who wrapped the Kaboul deal up very quickly while Dick was in the USA. Maybe after the meeting with Ellis this week we can go on and sign two more quality players...one in mid and the other up front. Will there be more after that...maybe if we can move some players on. However strong our squad is for this season and the end of this transfer window I hope in the plans is to give more game time to the up and coming kids. Watmore seems to be ahead of the list with the likes of Beadling, Agnew, Honeyman, Robson not far behind. Even a regular 20 mins from the bench would be a good start. If our squad is stronger and we can get higher up the league instead of always fire fighting could this result in more game time for them? I do hope Dick does go down this route because over the years we have seen very little of this and at times the Academy seems a waste if we cannot produce kids to come through the ranks....any thoughts?
If none have them have forced their way into the matchday squad by the end of August (from what I've heard only Watmore sounds like he might) we need to try and get these lads loaned out to championship teams to get some match experience at a decent level. Just a loan until the new year with the ability to recall them if we need them and if any of them impress try and get them in the team for the second half of the season. I'd rather see them getting games every week at Championship level than sitting on our bench hoping that we can give them some game time.
Totally agree about them going out on loan. It seems apart from maybe Watmore that our kids are probably only good enough for first and second division teams so does that reflect our recruitment in this area has been inline with our recruitment for the first team....lol? Maybe Dick can change both!
Yeah it seems like ages since we've had anybody decent come through the academy, not sure if it's bad recruitment, the club failing to develop them as players properly, just a bit of bad luck or a mixture of the three. I hate it when we loan players out to league one or two they always seem to just drop off the radar once they are there and we never hear of them again.
Micky Gray Micky Bridges Jack Colback Jordan Henderson Craig Russell Martin Smith Monty Who else have we brought through over the years that have gone on to become first team regulars?
Five of those are pre academy days so don't apply. Only ones the academy has produced is Henderson, Colback, Leadbitter & Waghorn.
Im not sure if it's all the academies fault. Youth of today would rather sit in their bedrooms and play games. Not many things for kids to do, most of the boys clubs have shut which is where a lot of the talent was spotted, non league teams dont really have youth systems in place, kids that do play, it's either 5 a side in a closed hall, or on a local field with their mates, not many if any scouts are going to turn up just on the off chance they spot the next messi. Schools getting overprotective, cant take photos/video in school grounds, so school teams have a very limited audience, and unless a teacher tells the club they could have a new superstar, the club will never know. Its not easy breaking into a prem league team, loads have come and gone, not just from us, and had to go down the divisions. Im still a great believer that youngans need to go and play abroad, no offence to Carlisle etc, but playing in Spain, Belgium etc etc would do a lot more for them than a 2nd 3rd division club imo. Even if it is a 3rd division foreign team it will be a whole new experience for them.
Very good post that & you make some good points. However........................ Middlesbrough springs to mind, they've churned out a good few over the years. I believe Hartlepool have too If my youngun was being scouted I'd rather have him at Boro or Pool than wasting his time at Sunderland. Good to see you back btw.
