Our Youth System

[BL3]

Looking at the latest set of figures is sobering stuff. The only way clubs like ours can keep costs down is to produce players that don't cost a fortune, via their own youth systems. Why is it that the likes of Blackburn and City (when they were shite) can produce a conveyor belt of talent, when they share the same catchment area with us, but yet our own youth set-up has produced bugger all since the 70's. How much would the likes of Allardyce, Reid, Jones, etc, be worth now?

[BL3]

O.K. What about putting Frank Worthington out to stud and seeing what he produces?

[officer_dibble]

We have had a couple, but not enough

Loaning players as a finishing school has hopefully helped us secure a few gems over tge last couple of years. we never seem to bring our own through though, riley for instanxe and the other lad who played in tge cup - why arent they out on loan?

[Armchair Wanderer]

Either out on loan or actually playing in the first XI.

[Gail Platz]

Our youth academy is ass, but surely players like this Riley kid should be getting games with the amount of full backs we've got out? If he can't get in the side when Steinsson's his only competition then there must be something wrong.

[thebish]

O.K. What about putting Frank Worthington out to stud and seeing what he produces?

he has always been out to stud!!

[officer_dibble]

Our youth academy is ass, but surely players like this Riley kid should be getting games with the amount of full backs we've got out? If he can't get in the side when Steinsson's his only competition then there must be something wrong.

I suppose what I wold say to that is he's only 18 or whatever, limited experience. But when does he get this experience? Should be out on loan in the Championship IMO, or he's not good enough anyway.

Liverpool have a lad same age in there team, Kelly. Fact is with fullbacks these days you have to be young, energetic and quick....everything robinson isn't!! and Steinssonn as well.....

[Harry Genshaw]

Our youth system has been appalling for years and I believe we have a reputation in youth development as a club to be avoided.

2 quick examples;

I watched one of our Academy sides last year play Sunderland. The difference between the 2 sides was embarrassing. We made Sunderland's kids look like Barcelonas.

A mate's lad had trials at both Man U & Bolton. Man U was all about technique and being comfortable on the ball. He described our set up as "chaotic".

[BL3]

Talking of that 'golden generation' of the 70's...

36,000 at Burnden for a Second Division game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXVp1eVj65c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[boltonboris]

Excellent video.. That Willie Morgan looked as though he could put in a delivery

[BL3]

Good shout on Joe Riley. Any others coming through that we should be aware of?

[truewhite15]

Adam Blakeman, Tom Eaves and Rhys Bennett are, by all accounts, closest to breaking through at the minute. Bennett was, last I heard, doing rather well with Falkirk.

[CAPSLOCK]

Adam Blakeman, Tom Eaves and Rhys Bennett are, by all accounts, closest to breaking through at the minute. Bennett was, last I heard, doing rather well with Falkirk.

Not sure how that fits with the presence of O'Halloran in the 20 man squad for today

[truewhite15]

Adam Blakeman, Tom Eaves and Rhys Bennett are, by all accounts, closest to breaking through at the minute. Bennett was, last I heard, doing rather well with Falkirk.

Not sure how that fits with the presence of O'Halloran in the 20 man squad for today

Forgot about him...

[TKIZ!]

Adam Blakeman, Tom Eaves and Rhys Bennett are, by all accounts, closest to breaking through at the minute. Bennett was, last I heard, doing rather well with Falkirk.

Can Bennett play Left Back?

[officer_dibble]

Its a shame riley isnt left footed

[Little Green Man]

From what I've read Bennett hasn't been doing as well at Falkirk as he did when he first arrived (he's been left out for a few games recently) and the fans have been moaning about him a bit. He played yesterday, but at right-back. The locals weren't too impressed.

[Gail Platz]

Not seen him play but someone on the coach on the way back from Swansea was saying Tom Eaves is a shockingly bad player, just a slow lump up front that doesn't do anything. Anyone got any more info on him?

[bobo the clown]

What of Connelly, the centre-half /

... & Josh Vela who benched 2 or 3 times last year ?

... & Snorrason.

[Sponge]

Not seen him play but someone on the coach on the way back from Swansea was saying Tom Eaves is a shockingly bad player, just a slow lump up front that doesn't do anything. Anyone got any more info on him?

Let's be honest, loud mouth probably hasn't seen him play either.