academy needs change

surely we should be producing more young talent than we are currently?! with the geographical area that we cover, we should be producing more than we are. take a look at palace, Derby etc they clearly aren't spending loads on their academies as they have had sod all money. don't get me wrong we have produced ramsey, ledley, Collins, earnshaw, Matthews, Blake . . . that's about it and they are within the last 14 years. surely we should be doing better than this!

I once had a conversation with Lenny Lawrence whilst watching the Academy - must have been a good 8 - 10 years ago. It was when Lenny was our manager anyway.

I asked him how many of the Under18s and Under 16s would make it to which he replied "We would be lucky to get one who actually makes it into the Football League". He carried on "If we get one we will be in profit".

At that time Ledley was a 15 year old playing in the Under 18s.

We got Joe Ledley, Cameron Jerome and many others.....

In my opinion I think Joe Ralls will be better than Cameron Jerome and from what I hear there are other stars coming through...

can't really count Jerome though. he was signed from huddersfield and was only in the academy for a year. i just think for the size of our catchment area we should be doing better than we are!

can't really count Jerome though. he was signed from huddersfield and was only in the academy for a year. i just think for the size of our catchment area we should be doing better than we are!

Agree mate

tbh I'm quite surprised that the Malays aren't looking at improving it as it would fit in with their sustainability 'project' for the club. if you produce more of your own it surely means you end up paying lower wages and less transfer fees in the long run. if anything, if run correctly then you could be quids in. it just needs some attention paid to it.

I think malky mentioned somethin about it in an interview before, saying that there's not enough youngsters comin through, so it's probably something that's bein worked on

I think the academy method will be respected and developed now we have MM in charge.
Our most recent signing was a 'scout'. It also makes sense financially and with our more prudent financial management thesedays, plus the Football financial fair play thing is coming in so forcing clubs to only spend what they generate.

The big problem is now the premier league has pressured the football league into agreeing changes to academy and youth systems/transfers and sales etc.
This could mean that we could have the big boys stealing our young talent before they've signed a pro contract and we get virtually fcuk all for them.

I think we should have a league of wales team for our young and squad to have meaningful competitive game and sharpen up (euro competitions for successful clubs too).

tbh I'm quite surprised that the Malays aren't looking at improving it as it would fit in with their sustainability 'project' for the club. if you produce more of your own it surely means you end up paying lower wages and less transfer fees in the long run. if anything, if run correctly then you could be quids in. it just needs some attention paid to it.

Malaysian people always improve we very good at improve but when you build house you be careful to build strong you build too quick wind blow and house fall down cant build house in one day to quicky

tbh I'm quite surprised that the Malays aren't looking at improving it as it would fit in with their sustainability 'project' for the club. if you produce more of your own it surely means you end up paying lower wages and less transfer fees in the long run. if anything, if run correctly then you could be quids in. it just needs some attention paid to it.

Malaysian people always improve we very good at improve but when you build house you be careful to build strong you build too quick wind blow and house fall down cant build house in one day to quicky

Agree Sid - Rome Not built in ONE DAY