Reuben played well against Hull and Huddersfield last year, and scored terrific goals at Leicester and Reading. Just needs a run of games as a forward player in my opinion if we want to see the best of him. If not, then send him on loan somewhere and see how he does. Digby is even harder to judge, played even less. But I'll be supportive of both of them. Could be worse, could be Dawson and TK playing for us.
I'm not knocking the players Andy, although I'm becoming less convinced about RNL, I'm knocking the two goons who failed to bring them on. I actually think RNL is an out and out winger not a LWB. I think Digby could be ten times the player Jordan Henderson is but the club have failed him.
I think it depends what level you are playing at, Prem clubs send the young players out on loan to get experience, the FA are wanting Reserve sides tp play in League 1 and 2, people complain that our young players aren't playing in the Prem and it affects our National Team. Some players mature earlier than others, Norman Whiteside looked 30 at 16 . Some people are physically able to cope with playing two games a week other aren't. At 16 Bree needs to be managed but 18,19,20 yr olds ,if good enough should be able to play at L1 level regularly
Two goons? One of our last two managers brought through two of the best young players the club has produced in the last 10 years. That's not to say he takes all the credit, they'd been nurtured for years, but I can't see how the then 17 year old and injured Digby's progression (or lack of) can be blamed on the former
Whichever manager of the two is getting credit for John Stones, that credit is misplaced. They were just extremely fortunate that the academy was in the process of producing such a fantastic player before the were even at the club. Nowt to do with Berkcroft. I wasn't blaming the berk for Digby's lack of progression - I was blaming Flitcroft.
I remember Moyes saying exactly the same thing about potentially burning Rooney out when he first started playing. Rooney was only making sub appearances/not playing full games when he started.
Burnout is not simply a physical problem brought on by playing too much, it has a psychological side that is probably more important. It's a hell of a step up from playing junior football to mixing it with the big boys, the gamesmanship, the guile and cunning (aka as being a nasty bstrd), perhaps Danny feels he isn't quite ready for this week in week out. Confidence plays a big part in development, it can't be easy having this knocked out of you by League 1 bruisers, and everyone reacts in different ways, Danny knows the lad better than we do, he also knows his job better than some of us (certain posters obviously excluded!).
Definitely a good idea not to give him too many games too young. I've no idea about the science behind it but you often hear of top manager saying the same so it's pretty obvious that it's the correct thing to do in not giving him too many games. Owen & Fowler are two players that really stand out, they were both playing 40-50 games in their late teens & both faded badly by the time they hit their mid-20's. Obviously you get players like Giggs who are the exception.
Never in a million years does Digby have the potential to be better than Henderson. Henderson was one of the best midfielders in the premiership last year, Digby will do well to be one of the best players in the championship one day
I'd argue a lot of it's down to the frame of the player as well. It tends to be small, quick players who burn out quick. Julian Joachim's another one that stands out, very talented player in his late teens, by his mid to late 20's he was playing for Boston. Shaun Wright-Phillips as well? Bang average by the time most players reach their physical peak
Giles Barnes had close to 100 appearances in the top 2 tiers before he was 20. Tipped as a future England star. He'd struggle in league 1 now.
I'm not sure there's anything to explain about his comments. He probably gets medical advice at the club about the physicality of every player and how their body will or won't cope with demands. He's also been around as a manager long enough to know what consistent 90 mins does to a player psychologically- no doubt some players can play through a bad spell and some might need taking out of the firing line. I reckon a decent manager knows how to balance and nurture a player. Then again, I could be talking a load of old cobblers