Under 18's and 23's

[North Yorks Mackem]

I've just noticed, which many of you will be aware of, that both teams are bottom of their leagues.

What is going on there? What is that Paul Reid bringing to the table? Wasnt impressed when i heard him talk last season.

Got Bally trying to sell tickets and our youth teams appear to be struggling. Not sure that's right tbh.

 

[cbwhu]

at that level results tables and trophies are meaningless, getting players in the 1st team is all that should matter - Tony Carr, West Ham youth manager that bought through Lampard, Ferdinand, Cole, Carrick, Defoe and Johnson

 

[Portishead Mackem]

We are a middle-ranking league one club - what did you expect? It’s a long way back after the fall we had.... keep the faith but lower your expectations

 

[Abu Dhabi Red and White]

at that level results tables and trophies are meaningless, getting players in the 1st team is all that should matter - Tony Carr, West Ham youth manager that bought through Lampard, Ferdinand, Cole, Carrick, Defoe and Johnson

Getting walloped 10-0 will hardly aid confidence and help us to attract and retain players.

I remember the FA Youth Cup winning days and when the England Youth team used to come to play ours.

 

[cbwhu]

Getting walloped 10-0 will hardly aid confidence and help us to attract and retain players.

I remember the FA Youth Cup winning days and when the England Youth team used to come to play ours.

yeah of course there is that if you have players good enough for the first team results will follow

fond memories of seeing our lads win the FA Youth Cup, led by Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, 6-0 in front of a sell out at the Boleyn, 9-0 on aggregate

The Lampard-Ferdinand side lost to Liverpool in the Final

 

[deleted user 785]

I was quite impressed with what Paul Reid had to say, Bally less so.

 

[Abu Dhabi Red and White]

I was quite impressed with what Paul Reid had to say, Bally less so.

I am usually impressed by what they all have to say. The problem is, they often don't follow up the talk with the walk.

 

[deleted user 785]

I am usually impressed by what they all have to say. The problem is, they often don't follow up the talk with the walk.

I don't think anyone in charge of the academy over the last 12 month could have walked the walk tbf.

 

[i am will]

I was quite impressed with what Paul Reid had to say, Bally less so.

Another one that can talk the talk then...

 

[deleted user 785]

Another one that can talk the talk then...

See above

 

[Abu Dhabi Red and White]

I don't think anyone in charge of the academy over the last 12 month could have walked the walk tbf.

Things are getting worse though Rocky.

 

[deleted user 785]

Things are getting worse though Rocky.

Yip. Selling off our best kids isn't ideal.

 

[BigCatts]

I was quite impressed with what Paul Reid had to say, Bally less so.

controversial saying youre not impressed with bally especially on here

 

[1more]

We are a middle-ranking league one club - what did you expect? It’s a long way back after the fall we had.... keep the faith but lower your expectations

We are a Cat 1 academy. The majority of these players were on our books whilst we were in the prem.

 

[i am will]

See above

Yeah I was beaten to it...

 

[hertsmackem]

Getting walloped 10-0 will hardly aid confidence and help us to attract and retain players.

I remember the FA Youth Cup winning days and when the England Youth team used to come to play ours.

And didn’t Monty play for what was then Young England?

 

[riffraff]

I am usually impressed by what they all have to say. The problem is, they often don't follow up the talk with the walk.

I’ve heard we’re considering a new motto. Anyone know what the Latin is for “Talks a good game”.

 

[Abu Dhabi Red and White]

And didn’t Monty play for what was then Young England?

Monty played for the under 23s in the early 60s not sure about the youths.

 

[hertsmackem]

Monty played for the under 23s in the early 60s not sure about the youths.

but weren't they called Young England i think so...

 

[North Yorks Mackem]

I was quite impressed with what Paul Reid had to say, Bally less so.

He seemed a bit reluctant for the academy to stick to a specific style of football. He knows significantly more about this than me but I feel if we are to succeed on similar resources to other clubs we need to create a playing identity at the club and that, I feel, should start at the bottom.

He was just going on about that the kids should be comfortable with all styles of football. I get the reasoning but not sure I agree.

He also seemed to forever go on about opening the office space up. Came across something hes picked up at college. Not sure it makes any real difference.

We are a middle-ranking league one club - what did you expect? It’s a long way back after the fall we had.... keep the faith but lower your expectations

I get that being a league 1 side hinders us. However, I'm not sure it's acceptable as a cat 1 academy for the under 18's to be on minus 21 goals after 5 games. They are clearly getting pummeled most matches. It doesn't bode well in terms of producing future first team players from that crop.

I do, however, think the new owners will see the academy as something that can help us compete at a higher level so hopefully we will see improvement in that area.