I wonder whether the three lads out on loan

Atkinson, Heslop & Meynell, will be capable of challenging for a first team place next season? It'd be great if they were (along with Butterfield & Potter) as it'd mean the Academy is producing the goods.
Then again, it might just be wishful thinking on my part, but I hope not.

 

One way to find out

Play them.

 

I think two of them have a good chance

Butterfield & Atkinson.

Dont know enough about the others but I it is only these two that press on to make an impact on the first team then I would be happy

 

My mate used to play with Heslop when they were both on loan at Tamworth. Says he's a really good player and I know Halifax think he's the best player they've had. Massive step up though to the Championship. The reality is though, they should only play if they're good enough and when De Silva's fit, and if Howard stays they probably won't get a game. Unfortuantley our good young players are in our strongest positions

 

Agreed

Of those players, I've only seen Atkinson play for any number of games and he didn't look out of place.

 

So would I, mate

It's be a pleasant boost to our squad size if they are good enough.

 

You've hit the nail on the head

They should only play if they're good enough. Sadly, too many from the Academy have proved they're not.

 

RE: Agreed

Strong player, considering his build. All the reports I've heard about Heslop, including the famous Tranmere awayday one of 2006 (fao SM ) and from players at Barnsley are that he should make it. </p>

</p>

 

Meynell hasn't been offered a contract

Spoke to him t'other day.</p>

Not sure about the others</p>

 

Agree but

problem is, and its a good one to have, is at this level we will produce less home grown players because the standard is much higher. If we were in League One still Atkinson, Heslop and the rest would probably be first teamers, but being at this level we've been able to buy Foster, de Silva etc.

Also, don't forget when a club of our size produces a very good prospect they will be snapped up - Flinders £1m, Barker £660k - those two alone have probably paid for the Academy over the last 6 years and in the meantime we've had other players who've played a lot of games for us and were the core of the side that got us promoted.

The longer we are in the Championsihp the better the young kids we will attract - but there will be a lag before we reap the rewards

 

Ah, right

I didn't know that.

 

RE: Ah, right

Aye me neither until last week. Asked him when he was meant to return etc, seemed pretty gutted, understandably, especially being a Barnsley fan.</p>

I wonder if we're releasing too many too soon</p>

 

Can't find a fault in anything you say

Perhaps I'm being too harsh on the Academy.

 

It's proved to be the right decision

In recent years, as very few released Academy lads (if any) have gone on to make it in league football, especially at Championship level.

 

Fair point

As was what the other guy who said about how now we're in a higher division, less young 'uns will come through until the academy standard improves to be on par with the improvements in the first team.</p>

Still a shame, I'd love to see a few local lads make the first team. Of course only if they are good enough, and so I suppose currently, they can't be, save for the odd player who ends up as a regular on the bench</p>

</p>

I don't think that made much sense, but **** it</p>

 

i think we should have it but...

we do need players to star making that transition from promising youngsters to first team players - Nathan Jarman prime example

 

You do yourself a disservice

It's a good point.

 

Grimsby fan I spoke to..

couldn't rate Jarman highly enough, thought he was/is a cracking player.</p>

Seems a bit worrying when all these youngsters are being released by Davey, who in theory should know most of the academy lads better than most. Clearly he must think the players coming through are a fair way from being good enough else surely they'd be given more of a chance </p>

 

Nathan Jarman

Is the prime example of a talented youngster being unable to make the step up.

 

Big difference from League Two to the Championship (e.g Mattis). nt