Last night was interesting for me...there were a lot of names knocking around. First to arrive was Sir Brian Little followed by some of the first team coaching staff and U23 group. Neil Cuttler, Boateng, Mark Delaney. All came over to the WBA ‘area’ and said ‘hello’. Big Sam landed with Sammy Lee. Obviously they all seem to know each other...social distancing out of the window.Deans and JT were next in, again they came over to welcome everyone. Both very affable. Delano enjoyed me working at WBA, but supporting Villa, ‘win win for you tonight’.The best was yet to come for me as I had a few minutes with Jack and SJM at half time, both really good lads. They enjoyed seeing my young lads in Villa kits with ‘Grealish’ and ‘McGinn’ on the back. SJM particularly enjoyed ‘the wee man’. Jack commented that he hadn’t focused much on education while in the Academy system...SJM said ‘you can tell’. I have to admit, I was a bit start struck. The game was dominated by Villa and Big Sam commentated for anyone round him throughout the whole game. He particularly liked ‘the 10’ for Villa and his runs forward. Smithy is correct with the success rate, if one or two make the first team regularly in the next couple of years, we would have done well. The rest will make a decent fist of it in the lower leagues. A lot of lower league clubs see kids graduate to the first team, the issue Cat 2 or 3 players have is if they are released its very difficult to be picked up and you return to grassroots. At Cat 1 clubs, if you are released there’s a chance you’ll be picked up by a lower level club. What i have learnt in the last 6 months is it is a brutally tough business. Kids are offered 2 and 3 year contracts, others are told ‘no thanks’ and although help and support is offered, they are naturally devastated. We had two who simply disengaged from training and education when told. It’s like splitting up from your first girlfriend...the love of your life. Agents are also heavily involved, demanding better contracts and signing fees (for a 17/18 year old). They also promise the lads the earth, ‘you’ve been released by XXX, no problem, I’ve got you a trial period at West Ham, Watford, Palace...’. One of our boys is expecting to fly to the US for trials at Inter Miami, because his agent has said ‘they’re interested’. The boy has barely played during his two year scholarship, a sub appearance here and there.It’s tough. For every Captain Jack, there are hundreds on the other side of the fence.
Chukwuemeka and Barry looked like they had the sort of understanding with eachother that you see in top players. It will be nice to see that develop into a first team understanding. Thanks for the report Rotterdam, interesting reading. Other clubs stockpile talent and sell them on for good money, even if they don't fully breakthrough and become regulars. How much will Abraham go if they sell him this summer. That would be a good place to get to if we cherry pick the best for us and then loan and eventually sell others who can be good players for other clubs and we just don't happen to have a place for them. Really encouraged to see what the club are doing at youth level.
Well, you only need to see how expensive English players and players who have adopted to English football are. As a club we could make a lot of money from a thriving academy, as well as having a young core of players that can enhance our own development. Developing an inner city academy potentially hints at the way the owners are thinking. Who's to say they plan to stop there?
Do we know when the final will be? The Villa site has this down for 7pm on the 29th, at Bodymoor Heath. The FA site says the game will happen 'before the 29th of May' but then lists it as 7pm on the 29th also 'subject to TV selections and replays.' The Liverpool site has it as TBC.I'm sceptical about the 29th at that time as it clashes with the Champions League Final so if BT sport are going to show the youth cup I'd expect it to be on at a different time.
Quote from: caster troy on May 18, 2021, 10:14:03 AMDo we know when the final will be? The Villa site has this down for 7pm on the 29th, at Bodymoor Heath. The FA site says the game will happen 'before the 29th of May' but then lists it as 7pm on the 29th also 'subject to TV selections and replays.' The Liverpool site has it as TBC.I'm sceptical about the 29th at that time as it clashes with the Champions League Final so if BT sport are going to show the youth cup I'd expect it to be on at a different time. I think that time slot is the latest the game can be played by so they're just waiting to agree the scheduling with BT. It also won't be at BMH, it'll be at Villa Park, being on TV will require that. Fans are allowed as well so I expect the decision pretty soon.
Thought Young reminded me of Andy Weimann the way he chased down defenders and generally harried them. Having someone like that up top makes it easier for Barry and Chuk (sp) to find space.