I just cant get my head round that Lopata refused to sign our new contract offer and that he wanted to play for Southend. Why did he come to us in the first place?
I wasnt serious about scrapping the Academy, just that I find Lopata's stance puzzling
Ah OK. I see. But, the fact that Lopata has left Utd to play non-league football can be turned to our advantage in recruitment.
The Pitch
"If you come to play in our Academy as a very young lad, and persevere, if you're good enough you'll get your chance - evidence Oliver Arblaster.
If you are released elsewhere, then come to us, if you get back on track, and show great potential & development, you'll get your chance - evidence David Brooks.
If you come to the attention of our Academy via an unusual route, and show great potential & development, and your route to the first team is fast track, you'll get your chance - evidence Iliman Ndiaye.
If you join our Academy, and your route to the first team is more of a slow burn, with a structured set of loans, if you're good enough, you'll get your chance - evidence Rhys Norrington-Davies.
But, but, but, if you're in our Academy and want your football career to go down a different path, a step sideways, or a temporary step back, if you're convinced that is best for you, we might try to persuade you otherwise, but we won't stand in your way, on the contrary, we'll help you - evidence Kacper Lopata.
We look after everyone, everyone."
It would NOT be good for future Academy recruitment if we became known as ....
The Club that freezes kids out and won't let them train or play or listen to their ambitions. Would it?