Apologies if this has already been raised but this article on the Monaco model is well worth a read http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40763916 Very interesting reading and when Dmitry Rybolovlev took them over they were in a very similar position to ourselves. With home gates averaging 9000 they are now punching well above their weight. The secret of their success is scouting and developing young players. If Monaco can do it, anyone can. I don't know if Rybolovlev is on TF's friends list but I am sure he could give some very useful advice to our Tone.
We signed Alex Prohouly from them. He's now 19, no squad number, went on loan to Port Vale last January, no feedback. According to Google he weighs less than 9 stone. Let's hope he's a late developer.
Monaco scout a lot of players from France's former African colonies in which they have a great advantage over English clubs and the lure of coming to the richest Principality in the world also has it's attractions. Add that to the fact the the rest of the French League are basically living in the massive shadow of PSG in financial terms means despite their low gates Monaco always are in the running for Champion's League football. Look at the problems we had hanging on to Josh Bowler, we are way down the pecking order and so many other teams have far better youth set-ups already in place. It can be a long-term aim but it will take 7-10 years to be the equal of even average youth set-ups. The decision to scrap our academy back in the day was the single biggest mistake this club ever made...