Zak Brunt

[Chabuddy G]

Surely he’s worth a place in the XI today?

He’s been on the social media a fair amount.
A really good midfielder. Energetic, plays on the front foot and attacking minded.
Also, you’re getting a guaranteed 110% from him as opposed to 50% from that Scouse no mark. So it’s a no brainer.

Give the kids a go Chris, they might just surprise you.
The lack of planning for next season is getting more worrying with each passing game.

 

[Classof85]

Theres fundamental issues at the academy, all down to 1 person, Jack Lester, he doesnt judge players on ability its if their face fits.

That is from a source within the u-23's

 

[Maidenhead]

Theres fundamental issues at the academy, all down to 1 person, Jack Lester, he doesnt judge players on ability its if their face fits.

That is from a source within the u-23's

Presumably a source who's face doesn't fit

 

[Chabuddy G]

Theres fundamental issues at the academy, all down to 1 person, Jack Lester, he doesnt judge players on ability its if their face fits.

That is from a source within the u-23's

In what way?
Are we sure it’s not just sour grapes?

 

[bartman]

Theres fundamental issues at the academy, all down to 1 person, Jack Lester, he doesnt judge players on ability its if their face fits.

That is from a source within the u-23's

What does 'if their face fits' mean ? Which players are you referring ? Or how many have now left the club and are now successful professionals elsewhere ?

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Surely he’s worth a place in the XI today?

He’s been on the social media a fair amount.
A really good midfielder. Energetic, plays on the front foot and attacking minded.
Also, you’re getting a guaranteed 110% from him as opposed to 50% from that Scouse no mark. So it’s a no brainer.

Give the kids a go Chris, they might just surprise you.
The lack of planning for next season is getting more worrying with each passing game.

Have you seen him play before? It’s ok saying give them a go, but look at Ironside, McFadzean, Kennedy, Whitehouse, George Long etc they were nowhere near good enough or ready and thrown in at the deep end in league one because we wanted to give the kids a go

We’re about to play one of the best teams in the world it could literally ruin him.

 

[Classof85]

What does 'if their face fits' mean ? Which players are you referring ? Or how many have now left the club and are now successful professionals elsewhere ?

Like i said if your face fits, theres very good players there that are being treated terribly. 1 player has been invited to go train with his nations1st team only to be told that when he comes back there is no place for him. All because he is going to train with full internationals. Now im sure we should be encouraging that in young players????

 

[Eza Blade]

I can see Chris throwing one on today just as a bit of a “fuck you” to the board. He’s said for last month there not ready/good enough yet. By playing one he’s saying I have no option as you didn’t back me

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

I can see Chris throwing one on today just as a bit of a “fuck you” to the board. He’s said for last month there not ready/good enough yet. By playing one he’s saying I have no option as you didn’t back me

Then his mate will stir the pot on Twitter and make all the fans panic he’s off. His squad, his signings, his tactics but not his fault and we’re lucky to have him

 

[bartman]

Like i said if your face fits, theres very good players there that are being treated terribly. 1 player has been invited to go train with his nations1st team only to be told that when he comes back there is no place for him. All because he is going to train with full internationals. Now im sure we should be encouraging that in young players????

You are making serious accusations. What do you mean about them 'being treated terribly'. Can you provide some examples ( obviously without naming people)
A club releasing a player( as in your example) as they dont think they are good enough is one thing and happens at all clubs. Treating them badly could be another level which wouldnt be acceptable

 

[Blade for Sale]

In my experience anyone who has uttered the words 'my face didn't fit' has been, without exception, an unbearable c**t.

 

[Foody]

He won't be, actually he can't be as he played for under 23s yesterday. Kyron Gordon, Kacper Lopata, Frankie Maguire and Lilman Ndiaye could all feature though. All were missing from yesterday's U23 game v Barnsley. 2 centre backs and two midfielders, makes sense with the current injury situation.

Due to the covid ruled around 'bubbles' it's not as easy as it would be normally to pull someone from the youths into the first team squad.

 

[Classof85]

You are making serious accusations. What do you mean about them 'being treated terribly'. Can you provide some examples ( obviously without naming people)
A club releasing a player( as in your example) as they dont think they are good enough is one thing and happens at all clubs. Treating them badly could be another level which wouldnt be acceptable

Comes down to players not being included or told about plans for their development, poor catering at the training ground, sometimes nothing available for them after training sessions others its just a sandwich whereas i know for a fact other smaller clubs are providing full nutritional hot meals to players of all ages.

I've been told the way Lester talks to the players is disgraceful like they arent worth his time.

Thats all ive been told but it seems like there are issues at the academy stemming from Lester.

Heckingbottom on the other hand i've been told is the total opposite.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

It’s all well and good saying throw the kids in, but they have to be good enough now.
I suspect someone of those being touted could do with a season on loan at a lower level seeing as they were seemingly deemed not ready by clubs looking for loans?
I know there’s a view that Wilder won’t play the kids, but surely he would if they were better options? There’s no logical reason not to.

 

[Snowflake]

Be wary of what you are told when you cannot substantiate it personally.
Spreading rumours based on hearsay is dangerous

 

[Silent Blade]

I've been told the way Lester talks to the players is disgraceful like they arent worth his time.

Thats all ive been told but it seems like there are issues at the academy stemming from Lester.

Your source is trying to set up a witch hunt?

 

[Classof85]

no that would be career suicide for them no other club would touch them.

 

[McGrath]

Surely he’s worth a place in the XI today?

He’s been on the social media a fair amount.
A really good midfielder. Energetic, plays on the front foot and attacking minded.
Also, you’re getting a guaranteed 110% from him as opposed to 50% from that Scouse no mark. So it’s a no brainer.

Give the kids a go Chris, they might just surprise you.
The lack of planning for next season is getting more worrying with each passing game.

This is a weird post. But we always get this, particularly when we aren't doing so well.

Let's chuck random kid in. Seen it all down the years. Does anyone remember the craze for getting Tony Battersby in the side?

Most if not all kids in our current youth setup will not make it as professional footballers. The chances are even slimmer that they'll be Premier League standard.

 

[Chabuddy G]

This is a weird post. But we always get this, particularly when we aren't doing so well.

Let's chuck random kid in. Seen it all down the years. Does anyone remember the craze for getting Tony Battersby in the side?

Most if not all kids in our current youth setup will not make it as professional footballers. The chances are even slimmer that they'll be Premier League standard.

Oh yeah, it’s soooo weird to want us to give a few of the young lads (who are doing pretty well) a chance to play some actual football, when we’re bottom of the Premier League with 11 points, decimated by injuries and players who won’t be here next season.
What a completely and utterly odd thing. The most weird. Very strange.

If any good can come of this season, it’s potentially finding a gem for next season. It can’t do any harm can it? Not like we’re staying up...

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Like i said if your face fits, theres very good players there that are being treated terribly. 1 player has been invited to go train with his nations1st team only to be told that when he comes back there is no place for him. All because he is going to train with full internationals. Now im sure we should be encouraging that in young players????

Since Lester has been a coach, the only player in the U23s to be called up to his nations 1st team is Rhys Norrington-Davies. Are you suggesting that he was sent on loan to Luton and then Stoke as punishment for going to train with Wales?

 

[JPSharpy93]

Theres fundamental issues at the academy, all down to 1 person, Jack Lester, he doesnt judge players on ability its if their face fits.

That is from a source within the u-23's

Interesting to hear but I think you have to judge Lester on the performance of the u23’s and they are flying....just need to start seeing a couple breaking into the first team

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Surely he’s worth a place in the XI today?

He’s been on the social media a fair amount.
A really good midfielder. Energetic, plays on the front foot and attacking minded.
Also, you’re getting a guaranteed 110% from him as opposed to 50% from that Scouse no mark. So it’s a no brainer.

Give the kids a go Chris, they might just surprise you.
The lack of planning for next season is getting more worrying with each passing game.

Perhaps young Maguire has jumped ahead of him. I was hoping Maguire would get on the pitch at West Ham when the game was lost. And then Fredericks strolled past Lunny and scored.

 

[Working Class Hero]

Oh yeah, it’s soooo weird to want us to give a few of the young lads (who are doing pretty well) a chance to play some actual football, when we’re bottom of the Premier League with 11 points, decimated by injuries and players who won’t be here next season.
What a completely and utterly odd thing. The most weird. Very strange.

If any good can come of this season, it’s potentially finding a gem for next season. It can’t do any harm can it? Not like we’re staying up...

If they're not good enough then yeah, that would be weird.

 

[Chabuddy G]

If they're not good enough then yeah, that would be weird.

You don’t know unless you give them a go. Most sink, some thrive, some it brings out levels above they’ve ever previously been capable of.

 

[McGrath]

Oh yeah, it’s soooo weird to want us to give a few of the young lads (who are doing pretty well) a chance to play some actual football, when we’re bottom of the Premier League with 11 points, decimated by injuries and players who won’t be here next season.
What a completely and utterly odd thing. The most weird. Very strange.

If any good can come of this season, it’s potentially finding a gem for next season. It can’t do any harm can it? Not like we’re staying up...

Doing well in a shite standard of football.

But yeah chuck him in. He'll probably be a rabbit in the headlights, and it'll probably piss off the rest of the squad. But who cares. Let's tear down the whole lot

 

[BigBed]

In what way?
Are we sure it’s not just sour grapes?

I remember having sour grapes once....or was it piles??
Eather way, I don't know how the gay chaps put up with that sort of discomfort!?

 

[Working Class Hero]

You don’t know unless you give them a go. Most sink, some thrive, some it brings out levels above they’ve ever previously been capable of.

Maybe, but I always think this is one area where the fans opinions don't really count for much (except the very few that watch academy games).

 

[S6 Blade]

Probably not worth ruining the lads career before its even started.

 

[Classof85]

Since Lester has been a coach, the only player in the U23s to be called up to his nations 1st team is Rhys Norrington-Davies. Are you suggesting that he was sent on loan to Luton and then Stoke as punishment for going to train with Wales?

The player in question is not RND

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I'll emphasise what other posters have explained. Our U23s play in Academy Division 3. It's not impossible. But, it's a long way from there to the Premier League.