At Rochdale or some other 4th division club, even if it means us paying 100% of their wages to get um there, it would be for the grater good of the club. And the players, they need to be playing football at a much lower level, it's the only way they will improve, if they cut the mustard in 4th division give them a full season in 3rd next year be it with us or out on loan again, all 3 could be very good players but they need to cut their teeth lower down the leagues
Digby is too good to play in the fourth tier. He should be blooded in our first team above players such as Perkins and Fox.
Saw Digby play once this season against Charlton I think and he was one of the reasons we let the lead slip. Was poor and passing all over the place, needs first team experience. I'm sure Keith Hill would love him at Rochdale.
Digby's 17, 18? He's one of the best prospects at the club and he picks out a great pass. Big future - many who follow the youngsters say he's as good as Stones
I rate Digby, but Rochdale don't need any central midfielders. They've got brilliant ones for that level, and I'd wager that Lund, Vincenti and Dicker are better than Digby at this moment in time. At that level. Rose however, he'd be ideal for Dale. But Keith didn't rate him.
I think the fact he's represented his country at u21 level, and played nearly 50 times in the Championship recently for a good Brighton side, would suggest he's better than Paul Digby at this moment in time. Matty Lund has represented his country at u21 level, too. Played over 50 games in the football league. A product of the Crewe Alexandra academy. On the bench at Premier League Stoke City on a handful of occasions. I'd suggest he's a better midfielder than Digby at this moment in time. I've met Peter Vincenti so I'm biased. He's played all his career at a low level, but has played at and won a trophy at Wembley, as well as earning a promotion. I'd suggest you watch the 20 minute highlight package of Rochdale beating Newport, available on their youtube channel. Vincenti is what I'd like Digby to be. But as I'm not stupid, I think Paul has the potential to be seriously better than League One and Two players, or average (in Dicker's case) Championship players. Unfortunately, I thought the same of Anthony Kay, Carl Barrowclough, Griff Jones and Nicky Wroe.... Digby has done next to nothing in his career to be described as better than the three players I've mentioned. Just because he's done okay in one or two friendlies, and represented the u20's (I could name some right gash who also have done) means jack **** I'm afraid at this stage. I'll big him up when - like Stones and Butterfield - he warrants it by fulfilling some amount of that 'potential' he clearly has. Same goes for Jennings etc.
I see what your saying Whitey but I believe Digbys better than them currently. Dicker was at the club earlier on in the summer and although he played well against Leeds i think for the u21's Flitcroft didn't offer him a contract. Now i think hes better than league two and Keith Hill must have pulled a rabbit out of the hat to get him. Now that lund. Honestly never seen him play. What i will say, Northern Ireland isn't that great of level in my opinion. We have a NI U19 at the club and hes so far away from Digby he could be in South America. What I would say, they need a chance. Play them. Sir Alex said he wanted to play younger players. If he can at OT why can't someone at Oakwell. The club have built a reputation which couldn't be any higher with the likes of Butterfield, Stones and so many signed up on pro contracts but we need to maintain that for the future and thats got to be by playing them.
To be honest Phil, I'd expect Diggers to eclipse all three I mentioned, and it's here at Oakwell where I want him to play. That's what I would love. And I believe that both he and RNL are good enough to be in this team, or at least used from the bench etc. And we've others progressing well, too. But I think if we're relegated, that will be when these kids get their chance. And that could be a good thing, long term. But financially, and with the size of this squad at present, we'd be ****** if we go down.
I want them to play. It seems 10 minutes at Leicesters given Flitcroft a option to drop RNL. Not sure why though because Jennings was not worth the shirt. Didn't help RNL once.
It's a strange carry on. One minute declares his love for him, saying it's time for him to start 40 games, then drops him after TK falls asleep...
I think Flitcroft's treatment of our young players has been dreadful. It's poor man management especially with a youngster to big them up and then seemingly cast them aside. He didn't do it with Wiseman when Wiseman was clearly struggling last season because, quite rightly, he realised that he would destroy the lad's self-belief. So why do it with Digby and RNL?
I agree the only wAy forward for a club like ours is to develop our young players. Flitcroft is demoralising and alienating them for what reason I know not. We currently have an out of position and out of form Mellis in midfield why isn't RNL on the pitch instead? Digby good enough for England but not us. Strange times.