Greenwood

Academy or no academy, I'll tell you one thing: development squads outside the top two divisions is one of the worst ideas in history, and we tried it TWICE.

 

how is this city related?

 

Advocating 'squads' in development is a poor choice, for sure. Yet partially, the practice has it's place.
Clubs with a superior scouting base, are more likely to pick up discarded talent (from higher up the line) than merely offer some youth a contract, based on the fact the kid was on 'XYZ's' books.
Particularly at our level (BCAFC), there is a considerable 'gap' between Junior and Senior level. It was hoped development players would find this a useful bridge. A good, and well meaning idea - But this plan has to be limited, and then further run and managed accordingly. How could this be achieved ? Only those in the game with a better knowledge than I could answer that. And yes - It costs money ....... More, and better coaches, plus the upkeep of six or so 'players'.

 

The basic idea is moronic.

Players get released from big clubs all the time. Some of them are good enough for League One or League Two, and they duly get signed and play first team football.

The concept of a development squad seems to be to take cast offs who are NOT good enough for the bigger clubs and NOT good enough for League One or Two and assume that a bit of intense training will make them adequately talented despite the fact superior coaches working at superior facilities could not - and the reason it 'should' work is because they're no longer just a face in the crowd but a meaningful employee.

All this for at considerable expense, while hoping to recoup profits by selling any sign of success.

NO. THANK YOU.

Now if a development squad was not focused so intently on failures, it might be worth it.

Can you scout the entire non league system and somehow persuade likely candidates to come in and make a team without clubs demanding far too much money? Probably not, given how teams like Peterborough pay good money for the cream of the crop.

Listen, if a League One or League Two side can make it work, fair play to them

But to me, it's a dumb concept.

 

calling him the new Van Persie.

Oh well, another one slipped through the net. Not that he'd have ever stayed with us if he was on our books - but a sell on clause would have been nice.

 

The highlighted line echoes my thoughts entirely, Jon.
The 'system' can work, but only if limited and well managed, selecting only the 'cream'.
By integrating those with our best senior Academy players, City would perhaps see some light toward the objective. Mix those with a couple of pros, and you can see why I'm an advocate of Reserve League football.

 

Errrrrrr .......... Kinda questioning Citys (albut) redundant 'production line' of talent.

 

The kid playing well for Manchester United tonight two goals as cool as a cucumber, he looks some player at 18 years old.