Pathway for youth

[Alfreton14Blade]

You got reservations Alf? You should have said.

Lol, I don't like to be too negative...

 

[A_Blade1889]

It seems harsh, but out of the young players coming through, there doesn't seem to be another Walker, Harry, Jags etc. It's a worry that we may rely on young players that aren't up to it yet.

 

[Champagneblade]

Your point is if they are good enough yet. By giving experience to them we might help give them the tools to develop.

What we have to realistically factor in is are the current experienced incumbents also good enough.

Take Coutts and Whiteman.

Coutts, frequently neglects the defensive side. So he must be an attacking asset then? He scores 1 every 40 in his career. So he must be creative then? His number of assists is also poor. It's also been suggested that at previous clubs he's had a poor attitude. He'll probably be in the 5-10k per week category.

Whiteman, plays both centre half and midfield. He has to gain experience of men's football but is at least familiar with the defensive side and has shown to be good value in the tackle. His first game he assisted twice; about the same as Coutts all season. Can't comment on his goals as its too early but can't do any worse than Coutts. In terms of attitude, captained both youth and U21s. Wages? Probably between 500-1000 per week and closer to the former.

Who is worth the game time at this stage of the season?

I keep reading about players being not ready but if their senior contemporaries offer no more, then what is to lose? At least they will learn and potentially develop.

 

[A_Blade1889]

I agree about Coutts, but then I would never pick Coutts again. He's a lazy player who like you said contributes next to nothing.

I haven't seen enough of some of the younger players to judge honestly. I think if they aren't quite ready we need to start loaning them out.

 

[Sprite]

I think DCL is trying too hard. Should've taken that shot instead of deferring to Billy.

The trick and shot at Southend showed his potential. Needs to simultaneously relax and pick up the pace and show his ability.

If every game is make or break then he'll never make it. Give him chances, let him fail, watch him come good.

It's a judgement call when he's had enough time in the first team, and you have to accept he's not going to make it but he's a long way off that at the moment.

agree

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

I agree about Coutts, but then I would never pick Coutts again. He's a lazy player who like you said contributes next to nothing.

I haven't seen enough of some of the younger players to judge honestly. I think if they aren't quite ready we need to start loaning them out.

Coutts is a beautiful footballer - very, very elegant & with great ability to manipulate the football.

The problem is that he's entirely unproductive. Not only doesn't score and doesn't assist, but doesn't shoot either. For an attacking midfield player (with more than limited defensive capabilities) you'd think that'd be fatal...

His experienced ineffectiveness & lack of steel seem to encapsulate our decline. An incredibly frustrating footballer to watch.

Hoping, but far from expecting, that Whiteman plays instead of Coutts today.


Btw, Adkins' "pathway for youth" -





A long one, which leads to the bench.