Trevor Birch - Meeting with the Academy on Friday

[Sothall_Blade]

Go on then...

League Appearances since 1985

Paddy McGeeney
Jeff Eckhardt
Lee Walshaw
David Frain
Clive Mendonca
Chris Marsden
Chris Downes
Paul Wood
Dane Whitehouse
Mitch Ward
Richard Lucas
John Reed
Graham Anthony
Steve Hawes
Tony Battersby
Chris Bettney
Wayne Quinn
Curtis Woodhouse
Lee Morris
Adam Burley
Ben Doane
Phil Jagielka
Colin Cryan
Nick Montgomery
Michael Tonge
Ryan Mallon
Lewis Killeen
Kevan Hurst
Billy Sharp
Stephen Quinn
Nicky Law
Kyle Naughton
Kyle Walker

The following played in cups but not in the league

Ashley Fickling
Tyrone Thompson
Ian Ross
Colin Marrison
Kyle McFadzean
Evan Horwood
Jordan Robertson
Aymen Tahar

I think that's everyone....

What about Brian Smith (RB/CB) and Paul Smith (RW/CF). Didn't they come through the ranks under Bassett? I thought Brian in particular looked very promising before he broke his leg.

 

[bricktop]

Darren Paul Wood was bought from Brighton mate .

I love seeing kids coming through but ... Southampton went down the route of using kids in their relegation season , 1 or 2 at a time maybe ok but it doesn't pay to be too reliant on kids IMO.

There was two Paul Woods. One was a youth player who i think might have played in a Simod Cup game, but not much more.

The second one was the Paul Wood who came from Brighton.

 

[Chingo]

There was two Paul Woods. One was a youth player who i think might have played in a Simod Cup game, but not much more.

The second one was the Paul Wood who came from Brighton.

Ok cheers Brownie ... sorry Darren.

 

[MobileBlade]

I think one of the problems this year is that we released virtually all the 2nd years from the Academy so this years U19 team is almost totally made up of 1st years. Its a big difference at that age. I believe they are hoping that many will come through next year....

 

[bricktop]

What about Brian Smith (RB/CB) and Paul Smith (RW/CF). Didn't they come through the ranks under Bassett? I thought Brian in particular looked very promising before he broke his leg.

The both broke through a bit earlier, the back end of the Porterfield reign/early on in the McEwan years.

Brian Smith was a regular under Bassett before breaking his leg in a 3-1 win over Preston in the 1988/89 season.

Can't remember all that much about Paul Smith, although he was about around the same time as the likes of Paddy McGeeney, David Frain, Tony Daws and Lee Walshaw.

(this is turning in to a proper trip down memory lane!)

 

[Deadbat]

The Smiths

Remember the Preston game when you could hear the crack from the Kop when Brian broke his leg and he barely played again after that. It is a shame as he was a promising defender.

Paul was a striker and I think he went onto score a few goals for Lincoln but he too disappeared from the game fairly quickly.

I was going to go and watch the Academy on Saturday but the thought of watching United twice in the cold put me off. Last time I went was to watch the corresponding derbies with Weds last year when a certain Mr Walker impressed.

Funnily enough his defensive partner Adam Chapman looked superb and even better than Walker but obviously did not quite have what it takes (pace/athleticism) and was let go to Oxford for a nominal fee. I do not think anyone else from the team impressed aside from the striker Foster? What happened to Jack Adams the young kid who was scoring a lot when he broke through and even played in the reserves?

It concerns me that we would rather sign the likes of France, Stewart, Reid etc than try some players from the Academy. Noone thought Naughton and Walker would be as good as they were and sometimes you have to just take the chance...

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I think Warnock did put him on the bench in league cup games in 05-06).

He very nearly played in the replay vs Arsenal in 04/05. Kenny was injured, and there was some bizarre registration issue that meant Phil Barnes couldn't be involved as I remember - Kenny ended up playing through the injury, Annerson was on the bench.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Darren Paul Wood was bought from Brighton mate .

I love seeing kids coming through but ... Southampton went down the route of using kids in their relegation season , 1 or 2 at a time maybe ok but it doesn't pay to be too reliant on kids IMO.

But I don't think we will need a drastic overhawl. If we make the presumption that all contracts agreed this season fit into our new wage bill structure I think there is only Naysmith, Billy, Monty (contract ends this season), and Quinn on the old high wage structure. Those 4 alone would ditch close to £3 Million off the wage bill, although obviously I hope some of them agree new deals at our none parachute level.

We have the loan system which we seem to be using effectively and looking at those names above if we did lose them all then Quinny and Monty would need to be replaced. Of which I would argue that maybe Williamson and Harper in the middle of the part you would lose much from the first 11.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

He very nearly played in the replay vs Arsenal in 04/05. Kenny was injured, and there was some bizarre registration issue that meant Phil Barnes couldn't be involved as I remember - Kenny ended up playing through the injury, Annerson was on the bench.

I seem to remember we left Kenny on the pitch for the penalty shootout, even though he could only dive to one side. All the Arsenal players had to do was roll the ball in the opposite corner (which they did). An indication of how highly (or not) Warnock rated Annerson perhaps?

 

[Sothall_Blade]

But I don't think we will need a drastic overhawl. If we make the presumption that all contracts agreed this season fit into our new wage bill structure I think there is only Naysmith, Billy, Monty (contract ends this season), and Quinn on the old high wage structure. Those 4 alone would ditch close to £3 Million off the wage bill, although obviously I hope some of them agree new deals at our none parachute level.

We have the loan system which we seem to be using effectively and looking at those names above if we did lose them all then Quinny and Monty would need to be replaced. Of which I would argue that maybe Williamson and Harper in the middle of the part you would lose much from the first 11.

Bennett's contract expires in June 2010 and it looks like we've already signed his cheap(er) replacement.

 

[SherburnBlade]

Was Jonathan Forte a home grown player too?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Bennett's contract expires in June 2010 and it looks like we've already signed his cheap(er) replacement.

Good he can't play consecutive matches in the cold conditions due to his wrists and in my opinion he's quite happy to pick up his money read his racing post and see out his retirement.

 

[Darren]

Was Jonathan Forte a home grown player too?

yep, missed him!

Corrected.

 

[Darren]

He very nearly played in the replay vs Arsenal in 04/05. Kenny was injured, and there was some bizarre registration issue that meant Phil Barnes couldn't be involved as I remember - Kenny ended up playing through the injury, Annerson was on the bench.

No, that was Danny Haystead - Annerson was only 16 at the time.

 

[Darren]

There was two Paul Woods. One was a youth player who i think might have played in a Simod Cup game, but not much more.

The second one was the Paul Wood who came from Brighton.

The first Paul Wood played his only game as a late sub in the vital relegation game v WBA at the Lane on 23/4/88.

The second signed from Brighton in Feb 1990 and left for Boyrnemouth in Nov 91

 

[Darren]

The both broke through a bit earlier, the back end of the Porterfield reign/early on in the McEwan years.

Brian Smith was a regular under Bassett before breaking his leg in a 3-1 win over Preston in the 1988/89 season.

Can't remember all that much about Paul Smith, although he was about around the same time as the likes of Paddy McGeeney, David Frain, Tony Daws and Lee Walshaw.

(this is turning in to a proper trip down memory lane!)

Paul made his debut in the 3-1 defeat at Southend on 26/3/83 and we flogged him in the summer of 86. Brian made his debut in the 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury and, as you say, played his lasty game v Preston at the Lane on 8/4/89, though he stayed on our books until Nov 91, when he called it a day and was given a testimonial at the end of that season.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

No, that was Danny Haystead - Annerson was only 16 at the time.

You're quite right - I am completely wrong. If you'd have said the name Danny Haystead I doubt I'd have even remembered he was a keeper!

 

[SherburnBlade]

yep, missed him!

Corrected.

Wow, I never thought that would happen.
I can die happy now

 

[Silent Blade]

Go on then...

League Appearances since 1985

David Frain
....

He never played for our youth team. We signed him from Dronfield United. Dronfield United was a club that was formerly Norton Woodseats. The name Dronfield United failed to attract more spectators so they reverted the name back to Norton Woodseats before the club folded

 

[Jon Bon]

I remember we used to have a saying to describe soft or weak things that went - "That's about as meaty as a David Frain tackle..!"

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Paul made his debut in the 3-1 defeat at Southend on 26/3/83 and we flogged him in the summer of 86. Brian made his debut in the 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury and, as you say, played his lasty game v Preston at the Lane on 8/4/89, though he stayed on our books until Nov 91, when he called it a day and was given a testimonial at the end of that season.

Aren't you going to add them to your list then?

 

[Darren]

Aren't you going to add them to your list then?

Hmmm.

My definition was home grown players who made their first appearance at least 25 years ago, but if you want to add players who played in the last 25 years, the following can be added:

Tony Kenworthy
Gary West
Paul Smith
Richard Cooper
Tony Philliskirk
Paul Tomlinson
Brian Smith

Happy now?

 

[alcoblade]

I'll bet between Speed and Naysmith you've got between £2M and £3M per year in wages disappearing up the chimney. More of Robson's masterstrokes, but a problem that will resolve itself at the end of the season.

UTB

 

[JohnDenver]

I'll bet between Speed and Naysmith you've got between £2M and £3M per year in wages disappearing up the chimney. More of Robson's masterstrokes, but a problem that will resolve itself at the end of the season.

UTB

Is Speed still on a playing contract? Christ I hope not...

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

No he isn't, it reverted to a coaching contract. However I would guess that he would be paid significantly more than some of the other coaching staff. But that is just conjecture on my part.

 

[wardlowwanderer]

Are you sure about this?

No he isn't, it reverted to a coaching contract. However I would guess that he would be paid significantly more than some of the other coaching staff. But that is just conjecture on my part.

I'm sure that in the programme at the weekend he was still down as player/coach. If so he could still be on a decent wage.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Is Speed still on a playing contract? Christ I hope not...

I believe he still is. We gave him a pretty decent contract when he signed. He is one that we certainly have to look at. We either have to give him the manager's job or let him go really.

 

[SESKU Blade]

I'll bet between Speed and Naysmith you've got between £2M and £3M per year in wages disappearing up the chimney. More of Robson's masterstrokes, but a problem that will resolve itself at the end of the season.

UTB

And there lies one of McCabes biggest mistakes, sanctioning these inflated wages and giving Robson free rein with the transfer budget. Granted he showed ambition by stumping up a budget that should have made us top 2 contenders but giving that sort of money to Robson was asking for trouble. Although he surprised when he did it as I'm pretty sure before we were relegated that McCabe assured the fans we would be in a healthy position (wages wise) as a number of contracts had clauses that reduced the wages if relegated!

I previously worked for HBOS and all the ex chief exec kept telling us there was 'We are in a strong financial position' right up to the day before they needed bailing out!! I've been hearing the same from McCabe for a while, I'm hoping there's not an even bigger shit storm waiting around the corner for the blades.

 

[JohnDenver]

Granted he showed ambition by stumping up a budget that should have made us top 2 contenders

I'm not sure I like this "ambition" malarky. It's starting to take on the same connotations as "sub-prime" and "highly geared".

Sheffield United isn't a train any of us can just get off. We can't sell at the top of the market and not worry about who catches the downswing.

I want ambition to mean a successful academy. The ability to resist predatory clubs for longer than half a season. A system of play which all levels of the club understand and can fit into. An off the field portfolio that supports the club without putting it at risk. The capacity to invest when the time is right, not when the pressure is at its greatest.

Spending millions on the tick is not ambition.

 

[SESKU Blade]

I'm not sure I like this "ambition" malarky. It's starting to take on the same connotations as "sub-prime" and "highly geared".

Sheffield United isn't a train any of us can just get off. We can't sell at the top of the market and not worry about who catches the downswing.

I want ambition to mean a successful academy. The ability to resist predatory clubs for longer than half a season. A system of play which all levels of the club understand and can fit into. An off the field portfolio that supports the club without putting it at risk. The capacity to invest when the time is right, not when the pressure is at its greatest.

Spending millions on the tick is not ambition.

I take your point JD, I was stating ambition in the terms that McCabe has previously been criticised by a number of fans when not investing heavily in transfers and wages as having no ambition.

Personally I'd like to see our scouting network improve at identifying youngsters, lower league players with potential and overseas players, I think we could be alot better at this.