Youngters who have adapted and ended up being excellent pla

Why the difference between now and 20 years ago with our youth development... even now and 40 years ago.

Id like to take an example of two 'kids' who when I first saw them play, I wasnt impressed. Jason Perry and Darcy Blake.

Perry looking like a lost kid at right back (initially), weak in stature and one who I wouldnt have cared if he had been tossed away when new players came in. However he became a rock, an absolute leader, strong willed and eventually got a Welsh cap which I believe was thoroughly deserved.

He moved from right back to Centre half, and found a big physical edge to his game. Winding up strikers ( including Billy Whitehead of Hull - would love to have been in the middle of those conversations) attacked anything that moved, and became a fans favourite because of it.

To me, at least, there was a tangible shift in his attitude , his play, his mindset. He was no longer taking any prisoners and went on to have an amazing career at the City.

Secondly Darcy Blake... now with a name like Darcy, I didnt hold out much hope, but hs ended up being one of the first names on the team sheet when he switched to CB.

Initially seemed to enjoy the bright lights of just being a pro footballer, little skill or so I thought unimaginative run of the mill kid.

I dont kow what the hell happened but when he was moved to CB, being quite small it was do or die. Find out your strengths and what your good at. His positioning and timing were flawless. He could clearly read the game, and who an forget him having Rooney in his pocket during a Wales England fixture.

Such a pity it didnt work put for him at Palace. I think he was a valleys person at heart.

Both these kids, when they first broke in understood what they had to do to survive. Find another level, be adaptable, mature quickly and be confident. Neither could be classed as a perfect footballer, but both went on to win caps, deservedly, and were a cut above our 'youngsters' today.

So what is it? Todays crop until a while ago were guaranteed first team squad places. Why should they battle, change adapt? They are hyped up and dont need to perform to get rave reviews. I don't think todays guys are at all adaptable. One wonders if they have the resolve to take them to the next level.

.... sorry, did I say resolve? For todays kids read desire or even 'need'. Give me a Perry or Blake again any day.

Lee,

First of all Perry and Blake were a different pedigree.

Also the majority of the new players all thrown in at once, the majority were never good enough in the first place, it was just Dalman aka Boris and his media Glen Williams got many fans fabs to believe they were by hyping them as The Rege had No intentions of spending much money the last few years, so they made out they never needed to as they suddenly out of the blue had over a dozen players come through that they tried to say were all quality and Championship standard.
Pure bullshit.

We might get two max from that and I mean max 2.
But 1 and 2 is about right.

The bullshit from the Local Media and The Committee has to end NOW.

Lee,

First of all Perry and Blake were a different pedigree.

Also the majority of the new players all thrown in at once, the majority were never good enough in the first place, it was just Dalman aka Boris and his media Glen Williams got many fans fabs to believe they were by hyping them as The Rege had No intentions of spending much money the last few years, so they made out they never needed to as they suddenly out of the blue had over a dozen players come through that they tried to say were all quality and Championship standard.
Pure bullshit.

We might get two max from that and I mean max 2.
But 1 and 2 is about right.

The bullshit from the Local Media and The Committee has to end NOW.

Totally agree Annis they are just trying to mug us off with their bullshit.

I always like Perry as a player but he never played above the current league 1 So we do need to no build up his talents as a footballer However i am not sure if any of our current crop of young players will have such a long career in league football as he did

Lee,

First of all Perry and Blake were a different pedigree.

Also the majority of the new players all thrown in at once, the majority were never good enough in the first place, it was just Dalman aka Boris and his media Glen Williams got many fans fabs to believe they were by hyping them as The Rege had No intentions of spending much money the last few years, so they made out they never needed to as they suddenly out of the blue had over a dozen players come through that they tried to say were all quality and Championship standard.
Pure bullshit.

We might get two max from that and I mean max 2.
But 1 and 2 is about right.

The bullshit from the Local Media and The Committee has to end NOW.

Totally agree Annis they are just trying to mug us off with their bullshit.

Mike , it’s well out of order.

Not good for the players, Our Club or us fans.
Divided us.

They really do think we are complete idiots.

go back further John Toshack an Phil Dwyer, local lads

We are no different to virtually all other full time clubs. I’ve seen it quoted somewhere that even Manchester City, who have a huge junior network, have only produced 2 players through their academy system to get more than 20 first team appearances in the last 20 years (Foden and Micah Richards).

Out of every 100 18 year olds taken on by League clubs, only 1 or 2 will ever make the Premier League and fewer than 10 will be able to make a full time career out of football at any level.

The failure of our youngsters to progress is not the fault of the club or the people running it - it’s just a fact of football life.

I’m not a huge fan of the current ownership, but I’m also not a fan constantly trying to vilify them on this message board in order to stir up division amongst fans.

That kid playing for the Wurzels last night, now there's a youngster with promise. Looked a cut above anything with us at the moment.

two of the biggest issues we face as a modern club is relegation and expectation. under Warnock we were chasing promotion, and therefore why would he risk disrupting a settled side to bleed kids in. now we are facing relegation its probably unfair to put kids in, because 1 mistake could cost us heavily and destroy confidence. if we were a mid table team, safe, then you would probably see a settled 11, with 1 or maybe 2 youngsters coming through getting game time without any pressure. out of our current crop, i would say the only 1 i rate personally is Isaak Davies. i think he looks an absolute handful, often when he plays its out of position on the wing, but he got something about him.

We lose our best youngsters to clubs like Man City and then they get lost in the system and end up not making it.