06 Jun 2016 09:20:19
I've been thinking (is that allowed? ) With Sako and Afobe going to the Premier and probably Hause and Iofa following them, it's been a long time since we've had so much talent that clubs have come to us. We don't know, but it's not inconceivable McDonald, Price or maybe Graham will go to bigger clubs. And Edwards is playing in France, which will not do him any harm even at his age.
In the 10 years or so before this season who did we lose to bigger clubs? (Not counting those who later got promoted) Jarvis/ Fletcher/ Kightly when we got relegated. Miller a few years earlier. Before that, who, Lescott?
Soooooo. with all this apparent talent, how come we're not punching at our weight? This leaves me thinking that there isn't a lot wrong with most of our players, nor our scouts or our academy. The inescapable conclusion is that our coaching and management is falling short.
Kenny might be a tactician - and last season not a particularly successful one - but is our coaching really so bad?
06 Jun 2016 09:40:57
Euroman, good point. These days we're punching below our weight given the quality of some of our players over the past five years.
06 Jun 2016 10:20:41
It's a very good point Euroman. I've said that of Kenny and his shortcomings. The squad we had last season was easily top 6 standard. So to be languishing below Leeds, Preston and Birmingham was simply not good enough.
Our players - Attracting Premier League admirers
Our scouts - Have performed reasonably well, especially at an under-21 level
Our academy - The £6 million redevelopment; the only reasonable investment made in infrastructure by 'development expert' Morgan!
That just goes to show that the foundations are in place; now we just need someone who can make proper use of them. For me, now that so many managers have been taken in the past few weeks, I'd take Rob Edwards. Would certainly uphold the principle of promoting within. Could also bring in his own coaching staff who also care about the club. Jody Craddock for instance?
06 Jun 2016 11:27:15
Euroman. Haveing looked at the lasy seasons results and reports for 15/ 16 the under 21's managed 2 wins all season and the U18's 1 win, if our coaching process is so good please explain the results. It is clear that it cannot be that good imo, 2 games in the under 21's poor season included conceding 7 goals.
06 Jun 2016 13:04:58
Spanish - the way it works with these youngsters is that only a handful will ever make it. Some make it so far (like Zeli and McAlinden) but players like Price and Iorfa are much rarer. However the point is that there are decent players coming through, unlike 5-10 years ago when it was really just goalkeepers. Would be good if they had results for sure, but that's a secondary objective.
Interesting point Wolfie Wilde - yes, the academy looks like a good £££ generator as if that's more important than results on the field.
06 Jun 2016 13:13:44
Wolfie You are really getting carried away you really are. NONE of our teams at any age group did well last season so the coaching staff - inc KJ - have to be held to account as to their performances
Edwards I do not think is what we need he will end up being another Moxey yes man
We need someone with experience who can stand up for himself so we actually need a new owner and Moxey gone its the only sensible solution.
06 Jun 2016 15:57:35
How come we got links with USA clubs via gis so how come never have exchange programs they can't all be so bad can't train with u21/ 18s could be missing out on some unseen talent if not going exchange what point off being in USA?