Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

 

Homepage Article David Unsworth To Leave

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jokerdan said:
About time. It beggars belief how many potential 'starlets' have passed through the Academy but failed to push on and in my view a lot of that stops at his door. He has been an ever present for a decade or more yet I can think of very few that have made the step up to first team level...and most of them were brought in from other clubs. I accept that a kid with potential at 15/16 years of age does not always develop the way we would wish but I also think his job was to push on those who did and get them promoted up the food chain.
And yes, it probably hasn't helped his cause that we have had numerous managers in recent years who weren't prepared to give youth a chance as their remit was to get success on the field as an immediate priority so went out and brought in a lot of established deadwood instead...and look how that has turned out.
But good luck, David, wherever you end up and thank us for your service!
Click to expand...
Look at Man City and Liverpool.

How many players have come through their academies the last few years? These are the biggest clubs in the league with huge reach and im sure im missing somebody, but I make it 1 each in Foden and TAA.

I think people expect too much from youth set ups.

Everybody points at the United team, but thats a rare, rare exception.

I know Arsenal are doing ok with theirs atm, but these things are quite rare.
 
Lanolin said:
We have though? Dobbin, onyango, branthwaite and simms have come in at times to plug holes. Welch and price have had run outs too. How many are we realistically expecting?

Again, I’m not defending unsworth how because I think he’s great, just because some of the criticisms are unfair and some (like this one) are simply untrue.
Click to expand...

They haven't came through though, sitting on the bench isn't the same as playing in the first team or a five minute cameo.

The general point is that we have had no options come through. How many first team minutes has most of the ones you listed actually had? Braithwaite was a purchase as well so was earmarked for the first team squad well in advance. I'm not talking first team quality either , I'm talking plug a gap for a game or two. Maybe they aren't good enough long term but when they are needed, they can do a job.

I remember back in September / October when we had no striker other than rondon who wasn't fit apparantly. That's the point where the reserve players fill a gap. Yet we have no players do that.

That is literally the point of the reserves , a small squad of players ready to deputise when needed. So if we aren't doing that , is it because they aren't good enough or is it just out of choice?
 
Ghost Rider said:
They haven't came through though, sitting on the bench isn't the same as playing in the first team or a five minute cameo.

The general point is that we have had no options come through. How many first team minutes has most of the ones you listed actually had? Braithwaite was a purchase as well so was earmarked for the first team squad well in advance.

I remember back in September / October when we had no striker other than rondon who wasn't fit apparantly. That's the point where the reserve players fill a gap. Yet we have no players do that.

That is literally the point of the reserves , a small squad of players ready to deputise when needed. So if we aren't doing that , is it because they aren't good enough or is it just out of choice?
Click to expand...
I think people forget that where we are in the North West we compete with United, City and Liverpool for youth talent.
 
Ghost Rider said:
They haven't came through though, sitting on the bench isn't the same as playing in the first team or a five minute cameo.

The general point is that we have had no options come through. How many first team minutes has most of the ones you listed actually had? Braithwaite was a purchase as well so was earmarked for the first team squad well in advance. I'm not talking first team quality either , I'm talking plug a gap for a game or two. Maybe they aren't good enough long term but when they are needed, they can do a job.

I remember back in September / October when we had no striker other than rondon who wasn't fit apparantly. That's the point where the reserve players fill a gap. Yet we have no players do that.

That is literally the point of the reserves , a small squad of players ready to deputise when needed. So if we aren't doing that , is it because they aren't good enough or is it just out of choice?
Click to expand...

simms was injured at that time too though
 

I can't remember a time where our academy has looked so weak. When's the last time we signed some exciting, highly regarded youngsters as well?

This change is definitely welcome.
 
In before
MikelsGoat said:
I think people forget that where we are in the North West we compete with United, City and Liverpool for youth talent.
Click to expand...
My edit there.

I'm not alluding to bringing through first team players regularly because nobody does that. Just the idea of sticking one of them in the team when we have an injury crisis , which never happened other than the bench or 5 minute cameos.

Plenty of young players over the years have come in , done well , scored even but never been good enough.

But to make a comparison , them lot brought in a few reserve players last season I think it was or the season before. None of them will be in that squad if not already gone but they did the job asked of them.
 
mightymoyes said:
simms was injured at that time too though
Click to expand...
Isn't Dobbin a striker? Lose track with him!

We have had an injury crisis in most positions this season but not had anyone to cover. That is what clubs have reserves for. Plug a gap for a game.

The lot may be league one standard but for a single game, can they tackle , mark and pass for 90 minutes whilst we have 6 players out for various reasons?
 
Ghost Rider said:
Isn't Dobbin a striker? Lose track with him!

We have had an injury crisis in most positions this season but not had anyone to cover. That is what clubs have reserves for. Plug a gap for a game.

The lot may be league one standard but for a single game, can they tackle , mark and pass for 90 minutes whilst we have 6 players out for various reasons?
Click to expand...

changing first team manager every year does youth team players no favours whatsoever though
 

I am not sure what our academy is aiming for at the moment. There is a time when I used to spend Sunday checking results for ex youth players and the lower leagues were scattered with the likes of Lundstrum, Lesson, Forshaw before that Wallace, Agard and many more I forget.

Not sure who I would look for now.
 
MikelsGoat said:
Look at Man City and Liverpool.

How many players have come through their academies the last few years? These are the biggest clubs in the league with huge reach and im sure im missing somebody, but I make it 1 each in Foden and TAA.

I think people expect too much from youth set ups.

Everybody points at the United team, but thats a rare, rare exception.

I know Arsenal are doing ok with theirs atm, but these things are quite rare.
Click to expand...
I seem to remember a team of mainly teenagers knocking an Ancelotti coached Everton out of the FA Cup.
 

Status
Not open for further replies.

Welcome to GrandOldTeam

Get involved. Registration is simple and free.

Register
Back
Top