United u23s v Hull u23s report....

[Silent Blade]

Agree with your last sentence but what I'm talking about is getting players ready and keeping players who are ready. With so many managerial changes good players can slip away. I'm not talking about world-beaters and I think Reed has the potential to play in our midfield for years even if we rise two levels in due course. We need our young players to make the grade and stick with us as far as possible. Good that Wilder and Knill were at the U-23 game the other night.

Wilder must think there are better young players than Reed and if Wilder is getting results for the first team then we will have to accept that.

You know in football that some faces do not "fit in" with some managers and we will have to accept that. Maybe Wilder doesn't think Reed has the character?

Bassett didn't have a good youth policy but he was one of our best managers

 

[Woodwardfan]

Wilder must think there are better young players than Reed and if Wilder is getting results for the first team then we will have to accept that.

You know in football that some faces do not "fit in" with some managers and we will have to accept that. Maybe Wilder doesn't think Reed has the character?

Bassett didn't have a good youth policy but he was one of our best managers

The club has a declared youth policy endorsed enthusiastically by the manager when he was appointed. Statements included putting Binnion on the Recruitment Committee to ensure young players had a voice.

If Wilder doesn't fancy Reed for the long term then probably Clough will take him on. That bothers me but not you and others and that's what a forum is all about.

McCabe wants us to develop and retain youngsters from the Academy for the longer term. Unfortunately football facts of life mean we can't keep the best ones but they help pay the bills of the Academy along with sponsors and donors.

 

[Silent Blade]

The club has a declared youth policy endorsed enthusiastically by the manager when he was appointed. Statements included putting Binnion on the Recruitment Committee to ensure young players had a voice.

If Wilder doesn't fancy Reed for the long term then probably Clough will take him on. That bothers me but not you and others and that's what a forum is all about.

McCabe wants us to develop and retain youngsters from the Academy for the longer term. Unfortunately football facts of life mean we can't keep the best ones but they help pay the bills of the Academy along with sponsors and donors.

The EPPP isn't good for our Academy, same for Wendy as they only have Palmer who seems to be their only Academy product in about 10 years who have played for the 1st team more than 10 times

 

[Woodwardfan]

The EPPP isn't good for our Academy, same for Wendy as they only have Palmer who seems to be their only Academy product in about 10 years who have played for the 1st team more than 10 times

When we are in the Premier League we will be on the other side of the fence, let's hope that's before Wednesday get there!!

 

[Balham]

When did Nicky Law become decent at Championship level then? McCall rated Long too. Playing for Motherwell is a step down from playing in the Championship division

Thought Francis was a disappointment when he was with us. I saw him several times in reserves games at Saltergate and he often played poor. He eventually became decent at Championship level two seasons ago and now is an established Premiership player.

Wilder will always be looking for better players and wants us to get us out of this division. We cannot afford to keep too many youngsters who are "not ready" for too many years

I think Simon Francis has been quite candid in the past that he didn't take his opportunity while at United and that his off the pitch attitude was awful. He needed to leave when he did and it's a credit to him that he's been able to fulfil his potential. It's a shame that it wasn't here but that wasn't to be.

 

[larkymasher]

If CW thinks any player is not good enough or the right type of player to get our club where it needs to be , then that is the only opinion that matters.

Reed has been awful this season, how he got an England call is ridiculous. 60 first team appearances should mean a better product than he is showing . Whiteman, who i like, is down the pecking order and really should be out on loan.
Semple may be lacking raw pace but he is a Maguire type who without doubt will have his day. He is 17 playing under 23s football week in week out. He does not play U18s football at all now. Although will play in Youth Cup fixtures i am sure. Brookes is slowly making his way without being chucked in.
But guess what, my opinions count for diddly squat........

The other thing to remember for all these young lads, is that the higher the division our first team are in, the higher league our youth players can go out on loan to. First team in championship........ youth can go to League 2. Premier League.............. youth can go to League 1.

That is something our youth players have missed since our 6 year demise. Except DCL.

 

[Ihadadream]

Reedy is a quality footballer but as daft as it sounds would maybe be better suited to football at a higher level where the game is more technical and tactical.... no loss if he goes we have better midfielders in the current U18's. Just give em time and watch this space I can't understand why everyone is in such a rush to see 17/18 year olds playing let them develop and learn the game so they are ready to make the step up and stay in the team on a regular basis we've all seen how the crowd get behind the local lads when they come in...nowt finer than a Sheffield lad in a red and white shirt giving 100%

 

[Deleted member 875]

Louis Reed reminds me of another midfielder we once had who came through the Youth Team. Ian Ross, very highly rated, England age group honours, and was going to follow Jags, Tonge, and Monty as the next one off the production line. People clamoured for him to be introduced to the first team, but he never seemed to get a chance, ended up leaving and drifting off in to non league never to heard of again.

 

[Pinchy]

...nowt finer than a Sheffield lad in a red and white shirt giving 100%

There are many finer things. One of them is a lad from Whothefuckcareswhere in a red and white shirt playing excellent football.

"Reedy" is a squirt (not his fault but a reality) with insufficient talent or athleticism to make up for that very real disadvantage. He will go down two levels, not up. Bladey wishful thinking won't help.

Ironside..... Ironside.....

 

[Pinchy]

The club has a declared youth policy endorsed enthusiastically by the manager when he was appointed. Statements included putting Binnion on the Recruitment Committee to ensure young players had a voice.

If Wilder doesn't fancy Reed for the long term then probably Clough will take him on. That bothers me but not you and others and that's what a forum is all about.

McCabe wants us to develop and retain youngsters from the Academy for the longer term. Unfortunately football facts of life mean we can't keep the best ones but they help pay the bills of the Academy along with sponsors and donors.

You say Clough will "take him on". I see that as exceedingly unlikely. What Clough did was to take him off - twice - at half time, to save him from further punishment.

You don't half have yourself on, mate...

 

[Silent Blade]

Louis Reed reminds me of another midfielder we once had who came through the Youth Team. Ian Ross, very highly rated, England age group honours, and was going to follow Jags, Tonge, and Monty as the next one off the production line. People clamoured for him to be introduced to the first team, but he never seemed to get a chance, ended up leaving and drifting off in to non league never to heard of again.

I rated Ross highly too. Was told he lacked character and aggression to play for the first team. He had a tough time after the sudden death of his dad in 2006

 

[Woodwardfan]

You say Clough will "take him on". I see that as exceedingly unlikely. What Clough did was to take him off - twice - at half time, to save him from further punishment.

You don't half have yourself on, mate...

It's obviously very important to you.

Reed was 17 years old in 2014 and played a good number of games. It's normal for a young lad to have bad games, in fact DeBruyne was substituted at half time last Sunday as it happens, so maybe he's got no future!!

Let's all hope the lad succeeds for goodness sake.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

As for the 'England' nonsense, please have a think. England are a low level national team. That needs to be mentioned in passing, but much more importantly [and you are old enough to know this very well] the vast majority of England youth internationals fall by the wayside and either fade away completely or ply their trade in the lower reaches. May I Introduce you to Raymond Storey?

I’d have personally cited Jonathan Forte. Absolute world-beater as a schoolboy for England. Never got near those levels in the man’s game.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Agree with your last sentence but what I'm talking about is getting players ready and keeping players who are ready. With so many managerial changes good players can slip away. I'm not talking about world-beaters and I think Reed has the potential to play in our midfield for years even if we rise two levels in due course. We need our young players to make the grade and stick with us as far as possible. Good that Wilder and Knill were at the U-23 game the other night.

I agree about keeping youngsters. Just with a combination of home-grown players, had we kept them, we could name the following team


--------------------------Long

----------Maguire---Jagielka---McFadzean

Walker--------------Whiteman-----------Naughton

---------Lowton--------Reed-----Law

---------------------DCL----Sharp


That would be without spending a penny on an incoming transfer. Add the likes of Ramsdale, Monty, DdG, Brooks, Mellis etc. to make up the bench. If you chuck a few more in that we picked up young for next to nowt (Blackman, Adams, Squinny etc.) we’d have a hell of a team. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep the best of them.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Regarding Reed, I still think the kid has some potential but has lost his way badly over the last year or so. I think he needs a fresh start or at the very least a loan move. Let him play men’s football, live away from home for a bit, become a man. It might just kick-start his career. I don’t think he’ll ever go to the top levels of the game but should have enough to make a career for himself at this level based on his early promise if he gets his head right.

 

[larkymasher]

Reedy is a quality footballer but as daft as it sounds would maybe be better suited to football at a higher level where the game is more technical and tactical.... no loss if he goes we have better midfielders in the current U18's. Just give em time and watch this space I can't understand why everyone is in such a rush to see 17/18 year olds playing let them develop and learn the game so they are ready to make the step up and stay in the team on a regular basis we've all seen how the crowd get behind the local lads when they come in...nowt finer than a Sheffield lad in a red and white shirt giving 100%

This post has it spot on for me.

I genuinely think there is a case that Reed would be more effective in the championship. I also agree that there seems to be this huge rush that if a kid is not ready at 18 then he will never be ready.

I get that Pinchy doesn't care if these lads come from Sheffield, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris etc but i do agree that there is something a little bit more exciting about a local lad doing well. Yes its all fairy lights and cup cakes but none the less its great to see.
Looking beyond Whiteman, Brookes, Kelly, Ramsdale ( none of who are local and arrived at 16 years old )............... we have Semple, Cummings, Charlesworth, Gilmoor, Slater, Hallam who have been at the club since 8 years old week in week out 5/ 6 days a week. If that commitment pays off, then it is fantastic for the club and the lad, and exciting for the majority of supporters. Hence the status afforded to Sharp by the majority of supporters.

In homage to Pinchy though, these lads MUST be good enough. If not these lads have been at the club long enough to know the consequences.

Let me also say to Deadbat..... picking out flaws in these young lads is a bit of a cheap shot. Of course they will not be perfect. they would be playing at Man Utd, Chelsea etc if they were. Just as EEL, Fleck, O'Connell would not be playing for SUFC in League 1 If they were perfect.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

I agree about keeping youngsters. Just with a combination of home-grown players, had we kept them, we could name the following team


--------------------------Long

----------Maguire---Jagielka---McFadzean

Walker--------------Whiteman-----------Naughton

---------Lowton--------Reed-----Law

---------------------DCL----Sharp


That would be without spending a penny on an incoming transfer. Add the likes of Ramsdale, Monty, DdG, Brooks, Mellis etc. to make up the bench. If you chuck a few more in that we picked up young for next to nowt (Blackman, Adams, Squinny etc.) we’d have a hell of a team. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep the best of them.

So your plan would be to cheat,play 12 and hope the ref didn't notice.
Mmmm.

 

[Deadbat]

This post has it spot on for me.

I genuinely think there is a case that Reed would be more effective in the championship. I also agree that there seems to be this huge rush that if a kid is not ready at 18 then he will never be ready.

I get that Pinchy doesn't care if these lads come from Sheffield, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris etc but i do agree that there is something a little bit more exciting about a local lad doing well. Yes its all fairy lights and cup cakes but none the less its great to see.
Looking beyond Whiteman, Brookes, Kelly, Ramsdale ( none of who are local and arrived at 16 years old )............... we have Semple, Cummings, Charlesworth, Gilmoor, Slater, Hallam who have been at the club since 8 years old week in week out 5/ 6 days a week. If that commitment pays off, then it is fantastic for the club and the lad, and exciting for the majority of supporters. Hence the status afforded to Sharp by the majority of supporters.

In homage to Pinchy though, these lads MUST be good enough. If not these lads have been at the club long enough to know the consequences.

Let me also say to Deadbat..... picking out flaws in these young lads is a bit of a cheap shot. Of course they will not be perfect. they would be playing at Man Utd, Chelsea etc if they were. Just as EEL, Fleck, O'Connell would not be playing for SUFC in League 1 If they were perfect.

#

Not really cheap shots. I am fan. This is a message board to give opinions. This thread shows people disagree.

Me writing my opinion on a forum is not going to make or break their careers or having any effect on them at all. Surely any fan whether it is the academy / u23 or first team can still have an opinion both good and bad? I can come on and say they all played great the other night or in other games or I can call it how I saw it/see it. The same as I do for the first team. The fact they are a bit younger should not really matter should it. Sorry but not going to sugercoat anything as a paying spectator.

The lads me/you discuss are now in affect playing for the reserves (2nd team) and thus are at a stage where they are being assessed on capabilities of first team. They have a short window from playing at this level (maybe 1 or in most cases 2 ..seasons - Lowton was an excpetion who came thorugh late) whether they will be seen as first team players at SUFC. That is the reality of professional football.

The reality is that we have a much lauded academy that in recent years has not produced much at all really after some gems just before it became an Academy and then a few crackers in the Kyle's, Lowton, Maguire etc.

I know you are very pro some of these lads larkymasher but the reality is that most wont make it.

We are looking at the 1 or maybe 2 that might. From what I have seen of this group (u23's), Brooks looks like he could but I have not seen anything stand/out outstanding in the rest (YET) and think likes of Whiteman, Reed, Kelly, Jake Wright jr may be running out of time (not really close to first team at third tier of English game). They are not perfect as you say but if they are not even making the bench at League One Level at 19-21 years old then I am not sure Wilder sees much of a future for them (Brooks seems to be exception from this slightly older group). Charlton for example have a lot of players of this age in and around the first team from respective age group (granted you could say we have better senior first teamers).

Likes of Semple, Hallam, Cummings and the others have a bit longer to develop due to age.

 

[Woodwardfan]

#

Not really cheap shots. I am fan. This is a message board to give opinions. This thread shows people disagree.

Me writing my opinion on a forum is not going to make or break their careers or having any effect on them at all. Surely any fan whether it is the academy / u23 or first team can still have an opinion both good and bad? I can come on and say they all played great the other night or in other games or I can call it how I saw it/see it. The same as I do for the first team. The fact they are a bit younger should not really matter should it. Sorry but not going to sugercoat anything as a paying spectator.

The lads me/you discuss are now in affect playing for the reserves (2nd team) and thus are at a stage where they are being assessed on capabilities of first team. They have a short window from playing at this level (maybe 1 or in most cases 2 ..seasons - Lowton was an excpetion who came thorugh late) whether they will be seen as first team players at SUFC. That is the reality of professional football.

The reality is that we have a much lauded academy that in recent years has not produced much at all really after some gems just before it became an Academy and then a few crackers in the Kyle's, Lowton, Maguire etc.

I know you are very pro some of these lads larkymasher but the reality is that most wont make it.

We are looking at the 1 or maybe 2 that might. From what I have seen of this group (u23's), Brooks looks like he could but I have not seen anything stand/out outstanding in the rest (YET) and think likes of Whiteman, Reed, Kelly, Jake Wright jr may be running out of time (not really close to first team at third tier of English game). They are not perfect as you say but if they are not even making the bench at League One Level at 19-21 years old then I am not sure Wilder sees much of a future for them (Brooks seems to be exception from this slightly older group). Charlton for example have a lot of players of this age in and around the first team from respective age group (granted you could say we have better senior first teamers).

Likes of Semple, Hallam, Cummings and the others have a bit longer to develop due to age.

What I find interesting is to ask the question how good Hussey, Brown, Wilson, Lafferty, Scougall, Freeman, Duffy, Lavery, Done, Basham, Fleck, O'Connell, Coutts, and many others were at 17/18/19. Some of them aren't that good now!! Of course Billy Sharp was a star at 19 but maybe he went backwards at times as all players can do.

The consistent point I am trying to make is that more of our youngsters should be able to achieve at least the quality of many of the players we've endured these past few years and it would be good for the club if they could comprise a good proportion of the squad over the next decade. I would love to see us sign more 18/19 year olds too and Adams was a good example. However I'm not talking about the Adams' of this world because they are prised away, I'm talking about the core of the squad put together over the years and sticking with us, something like Bournemouth's defence have grown with the club.

Any squad does not need 23 stars, it needs a mix of players with different capabilities and skills and character offerings.

If Reed by the time he's 25 years old doesn't exceed the standards of some of the well paid first team players we've watched since 2007 and even before then I'd be gobsmacked.

.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

What I find interesting is to ask the question how good Hussey, Brown, Wilson, Lafferty, Scougall, Freeman, Duffy, Lavery, Done, Basham, Fleck, O'Connell, Coutts, and many others were at 17/18/19. Some of them aren't that good now!! Of course Billy Sharp was a star at 19 but maybe he went backwards at times as all players can do.

The consistent point I am trying to make is that more of our youngsters should be able to achieve at least the quality of many of the players we've endured these past few years and it would be good for the club if they could comprise a good proportion of the squad over the next decade. I would love to see us sign more 18/19 year olds too and Adams was a good example. However I'm not talking about the Adams' of this world because they are prised away, I'm talking about the core of the squad put together over the years and sticking with us, something like Bournemouth's defence have grown with the club.

Any squad does not need 23 stars, it needs a mix of players with different capabilities and skills and character offerings.

If Reed by the time he's 25 years old doesn't exceed the standards of some of the well paid first team players we've watched since 2007 and even before then I'd be gobsmacked.

.

You make good points however I feel if Reed hasn`t broken into the first team squad by,say this time next season he will be let go. Why would we give him till he's 25? If we'd carried on with Long we'd srill be bottom 4.

 

[BushBlade]

What I find interesting is to ask the question how good Hussey, Brown, Wilson, Lafferty, Scougall, Freeman, Duffy, Lavery, Done, Basham, Fleck, O'Connell, Coutts, and many others were at 17/18/19. Some of them aren't that good now!! Of course Billy Sharp was a star at 19 but maybe he went backwards at times as all players can do.

The consistent point I am trying to make is that more of our youngsters should be able to achieve at least the quality of many of the players we've endured these past few years and it would be good for the club if they could comprise a good proportion of the squad over the next decade. I would love to see us sign more 18/19 year olds too and Adams was a good example. However I'm not talking about the Adams' of this world because they are prised away, I'm talking about the core of the squad put together over the years and sticking with us, something like Bournemouth's defence have grown with the club.

Any squad does not need 23 stars, it needs a mix of players with different capabilities and skills and character offerings.

If Reed by the time he's 25 years old doesn't exceed the standards of some of the well paid first team players we've watched since 2007 and even before then I'd be gobsmacked.

.

They may well be able to achieve the standard of the players you've listed given time, but we haven't got time. We need players who are already good enough to win promotion now, not ones that might be good enough in a couple of years.

We can only have one priority and that is promotion. Once that is achieved and we're stable then we can concentrate more on developing young players, in getting the academy back to Cat 1 status and expanding our scouting to find promising kids from further away than south Derbyshire.
And we will need to, in order to challenge the clubs with huge parachute payments.

But promotion has to come first.

 

[Woodwardfan]

They may well be able to achieve the standard of the players you've listed given time, but we haven't got time. We need players who are already good enough to win promotion now, not ones that might be good enough in a couple of years.

We can only have one priority and that is promotion. Once that is achieved and we're stable then we can concentrate more on developing young players, in getting the academy back to Cat 1 status and expanding our scouting to find promising kids from further away than south Derbyshire.
And we will need to, in order to challenge the clubs with huge parachute payments.

But promotion has to come first.

The lack of continuity of managers engenders the 'here and now' attitude you outline. Fact is SUFC continues beyond the next couple of years. Clough had that sense of investment in the future and thought he was building for the long term but he had other failings (which he appears to have learned from and put behind him now ironically). Weir's project was long term and outlined by McCall last week but it was cut short.

There needs to be a plan to provide for the future as well as the 'here and now' as McCall termed it. Obviously Wilder has to establish the culture and test his new signings first and then I hope he invests in youth more; it's essential for this football club and any club that doesn't have £70m a year TV money.

When we reach the Championship how brilliant it would be if we had a couple of lads fully grounded in first team football already and then that saves funds for better new players and just as importantly helps with continuity, preserving a culture and identifying Bramall Lane as a youth development club in the eyes of existing youngsters, prospective loanees and new young signings.

 

[Woodwardfan]

You make good points however I feel if Reed hasn`t broken into the first team squad by,say this time next season he will be let go. Why would we give him till he's 25? If we'd carried on with Long we'd srill be bottom 4.

I'd hope at 25 he would have 3 full seasons and 2 half seasons under his belt. It is 6 years away.

 

[larkymasher]

#

Not really cheap shots. I am fan. This is a message board to give opinions. This thread shows people disagree.

Me writing my opinion on a forum is not going to make or break their careers or having any effect on them at all. Surely any fan whether it is the academy / u23 or first team can still have an opinion both good and bad? I can come on and say they all played great the other night or in other games or I can call it how I saw it/see it. The same as I do for the first team. The fact they are a bit younger should not really matter should it. Sorry but not going to sugercoat anything as a paying spectator.

The lads me/you discuss are now in affect playing for the reserves (2nd team) and thus are at a stage where they are being assessed on capabilities of first team. They have a short window from playing at this level (maybe 1 or in most cases 2 ..seasons - Lowton was an excpetion who came thorugh late) whether they will be seen as first team players at SUFC. That is the reality of professional football.

The reality is that we have a much lauded academy that in recent years has not produced much at all really after some gems just before it became an Academy and then a few crackers in the Kyle's, Lowton, Maguire etc.

I know you are very pro some of these lads larkymasher but the reality is that most wont make it.

We are looking at the 1 or maybe 2 that might. From what I have seen of this group (u23's), Brooks looks like he could but I have not seen anything stand/out outstanding in the rest (YET) and think likes of Whiteman, Reed, Kelly, Jake Wright jr may be running out of time (not really close to first team at third tier of English game). They are not perfect as you say but if they are not even making the bench at League One Level at 19-21 years old then I am not sure Wilder sees much of a future for them (Brooks seems to be exception from this slightly older group). Charlton for example have a lot of players of this age in and around the first team from respective age group (granted you could say we have better senior first teamers).

Likes of Semple, Hallam, Cummings and the others have a bit longer to develop due to age.

Maybe my wording came over as being harsh pal.....

I am pro some of these lads even though they have faults. I am also old enough to know most won't make it.
I also see that no other club have kids of 17 playing week in week in the same numbers as SUFC.

That all said, i am the first person to acknowledge others opinions of which yours a generally agree with.

 

[Pinchy]

I'd hope at 25 he would have 3 full seasons and 2 half seasons under his belt. It is 6 years away.

Bob Hope and No Hope....

 

[Woodwardfan]

Bob Hope and No Hope....

Pinchy - "Blade not Bladey", says it all, whatever it means(!) and it seems important to you that Reed doesn't succeed.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

So your plan would be to cheat,play 12 and hope the ref didn't notice.
Mmmm.

Haha, Yep. Reedy's only little, ref wouldn't notice him.

 

[BushBlade]

The lack of continuity of managers engenders the 'here and now' attitude you outline. Fact is SUFC continues beyond the next couple of years. Clough had that sense of investment in the future and thought he was building for the long term but he had other failings (which he appears to have learned from and put behind him now ironically). Weir's project was long term and outlined by McCall last week but it was cut short.

There needs to be a plan to provide for the future as well as the 'here and now' as McCall termed it. Obviously Wilder has to establish the culture and test his new signings first and then I hope he invests in youth more; it's essential for this football club and any club that doesn't have £70m a year TV money.

When we reach the Championship how brilliant it would be if we had a couple of lads fully grounded in first team football already and then that saves funds for better new players and just as importantly helps with continuity, preserving a culture and identifying Bramall Lane as a youth development club in the eyes of existing youngsters, prospective loanees and new young signings.

The reason we need to think short term is not because of changing managers per se but because we've been in L1 for a long time, it's costing our owners too much money and isn't sustainable. We've already had to downgrade the academy due to lack of funds so it's pretty apparent that we need to get promotion as soon as we can, for the long term benefit of the club.

The practical matter of 'grounding' youth players is that to do so, you have to play them regularly.

So which of our players do you think are good enough to play first team football regularly and which current first team players do you think we should drop to facilitate this?

You seem to be suggesting we should drop a player like Coutts or Fleck, who are performing well for us, to play someone like Reed, who isn't even performing well in the u-23s, in the hope that he may one day be a good player.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The reason we need to think short term is not because of changing managers per se but because we've been in L1 for a long time, it's costing our owners too much money and isn't sustainable. We've already had to downgrade the academy due to lack of funds so it's pretty apparent that we need to get promotion as soon as we can, for the long term benefit of the club.

The practical matter of 'grounding' youth players is that to do so, you have to play them regularly.

So which of our players do you think are good enough to play first team football regularly and which current first team players do you think we should drop to facilitate this?

You seem to be suggesting we should drop a player like Coutts or Fleck, who are performing well for us, to play someone like Reed, who isn't even performing well in the u-23s, in the hope that he may one day be a good player.[/QUOTE


Im not saying play them in the first eleven but find a couple of them room on the bench and give them playing time when appropriate eg when 3-0 up at home. Whiteman has had 7 minutes, Reed doesnt make the bench. Going out of the cups hasnt helped and i fully agree there are other priorities at present, as ive said above. My point is about longer term than the first half of this season. Put simply its that we need to develop players like Reed and Whiteman and not lose them for short termism.

Reply in there somewhere!

 

[BushBlade]

Reply in there somewhere!

Why on earth would we spend time developing Reed when he's not putting performances in for the u-23s? What kind of message does that send to the other kids?