Patience and the Academy

I remember on here when the academy was first set up, there were many people who were quite outspoken in their cynicism about its usefulness. Over the years, there were many calls for it to be downsized or cut completely. Looking at how it is now starting to bear fruit, it's very difficult to argue against its usefulness. But to get to this point, a lot of hard work behind the scenes has gone in over a long time. I presume that systems were put in place and by and large followed, leading to what we have today (two young defenders sold to the Premier League for very substantial sums, and possibly more to come).

The point is, this has taken ten years. I'm not suggesting that Johnson should be given that long chugging away in the lower reaches of League 1 and beyond. In fact, at the minute I'm very much in the "don't give a toss whether he stays or goes" camp. However, when thinking about things like this, it does make you realise the ridiculousness of our (and other clubs') haste in pulling the trigger.

 

Good post

The question is has it broken even yet and who will be next?

 

The academy isn't the problem.

The problem has been the link between it & the 1st team.

Digby, RNL, Rose & Clark are all examples of players who should've been loaned out much earlier to help their development.

The only position we seem to be able to develop players in is full back & to quote Jamie Carragher 'full backs the easiest position to play'.

 

I'm sure I read that the running costs are around a million a year, so I guess once we get the Stones sell-on money (assuming we do!) then we'll be into profit.

Plus there's what it brings to people's lives, the community etc. Plenty of players who didn't make it with us have come through and played at a lower level. It's not all about the money (though you wouldn't always think it looking at the Premier League these days).

 

You might be right in what you're saying, but I think you've missed the point of my post.

 

correct me if im wrong but the jist of the OP is that the academy took 10 years to bear fruit, maybe we (or somebody) should give a manager 10 years too?

its not a post about the academy at all really so who cares if its broken even, what ists costs are etc ( in the context of this post of course)

as far as the OP sentiment id love us to be the ones who chalk a line in the sand and have the balls to back a manager long term ,who ever that man maybe.

 

That was my general idea, yes!

 

Barnsley is one of the highest on the list of academy's that churn out players who make a career mostly in the lower leagues minds.

 

we bring good players through give them away for peanuts and never invest any back into the squad. Think of all the transfer money made over the last 3 years and we cant afford 2 dozen bulbs for scoreboard

 

Dario Grade and Crewe for donkeys years prided themselves on a fantastic academy and resale value of their players and look at their lofty position and success now. Something really to aspire to

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We did consistently bring quality players through when we had only the Northern Intermediate league sides playing on the training pitches and perhaps more importantly being coached by Eric Winstanley. Hirst, Tiler, Eaden, Moses, Jones, Liddell etc. Our facilities are great and obviously have community engagement but an "academy" is just a fancy name to me.

 

John Stones is, and was always going to be, a centre half. Holgate, likewise.

 

I agree but they got brought through in the full back positions

 

I can see the point your making John and sort of agree with it. In terms of youth development I actually think we have gone backwards since the Academy system started. Maybe that will change but we developed more players throughout the 80s and 90s that both had good career and were sold for a decent profit than we have since.

 

I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that must be the case with most British clubs, especially those who usually reside in the top two divisions - due to the influx of foreign players, and the demands for instant success meaning that there just isn't the time to blood young players these days. A case in point was Davey's team - jam packed with journeyman foreigners pretty much as a matter of necessity. So it may well be that our youth development hasn't gone backwards, just that the first team opportunities for young players have been severely reduced by external factors which pervade the modern game these days.

 

TBH the biggest disappointment this season for me hasn't been the abject performances & lowly league position, but how few of the young lads have been given a try out. We can only have a couple in the team at once, but we are favouring other team's youngsters instead, Crowley, Harris, etc who are never going to sign & are equally naive.

If they aren't going to be played they should be on recallable loans to L2 clubs.