Walsall on Tuesday

Are you on a wind up this morning, one minute because neither McCall or Grayson picked Giibson he has something missing from his game, now you seem to think because Gibson, Hawkes and Tyrell has had a few games the development squad is showing fruition, two of them played bit parts against Walsall let's not get too excited, apart from it being the last home game of the season and what that means to most Bradford City fans the game was a non event.

 

Until January Hawkes was a Sheffield United player, so it is a bit much to claim credit for his development.

 

If we produce just one player a season from the development squad it’s worth it over the years we have seen far to few young players coming through It’s starting to happen Long May it continue

 

True but had we not have had the development Squad we wouldn’t have picked up players like him Robinson and Gibson. The owners have made mistakes investing in young players isn’t one of them it should have happened long a go

 

Agree on that point.

 

Our first full season of this policy and we have several players coming through already this fits in to what Wayne Jacobs reiterated last night the owners statement that they are in it for the long term and with good scouting and good coaching from our new team of coaches we can bring in and develop many more

 

Thank you

 

So you're hoping our development squad provide a youngster to come through the development ranks (one player a season) and be a regular in the starting 11, I'd suggest that is very unrealistic, great if it happens but I don't think it will.

 

Very true, Park. Yet to promote them as first team ready is optimistic. Both Robinson and Gibson still have so much to learn, although it appears that Hawkes isn't too far behind. Early days, but yes - the signs for once are encouraging.

 

Agree, as long as it isn't at the expense of a competitive first team budget. Brentford are masters of the development squad, but they make huge sums of money that can subsidise the first team while it bears fruit.

 

Very true, @Bronco - If we strike too early, a mistake can be made. We only have to look at Patricks 'progress' to see that. And yet Robinson, and to some degree Gibson (with their continued improvement), could offer a glimmer of light for the future - 6 months time, depending upon application and appearances for some ?
Whoever is boss in close season would be foolish to write these off, so readily.
(City let the young Black fullback go too early, two seasons ago, IMO - Now playing in Scotland ?)

 

Just the one? We are spending approximately 200-300k each year on the development squad. Why would we spend that amount of money to develop 1 youngster for the starting 11, when we can just go out and bring in a proven player for that price? We'll have to produce atleast 3 quality youngsters each year to make the devlopment squad worthwhile from a financial perspective imo.

 

Better than Chicksen so I agree

 

Yes, thank you. I remembered Greg, but not his Surname.
A player City released too readily, IMO (Budgets, huh ? Hate them, but a fact of life.) And yes, I'd have him back too. .......... BUT, would he want to come, after his last experience with us ?

 

Greg Leigh was good at going forward but a little suspect at defending as it showed against us at home when his 2 mistakes cost them 2 goals.

 

If we pick the right players coach them the right way we not only help the present squad but we have saleable asset I think Robinson with a bit more experience will fetch good miney

 

You are just as likely to do that by using the development squad money to sign a proven 22/23 year old as you are by developing an 18/19 year old rookie such as Gibson

 

I don’t have any problem with that either. I like the idea of either producing good players either from youth or from players with potential from elsewhere who are young enough to develop. I don’t like the idea of sadldling the club with huge contracts unless there are the funds to back them up.