Our new regime of youth development..

[GazLaz]

http://www.retfordtoday.co.uk/sport/local-sport/sunderland-take-a-gamble-on-local-lad-owen-1-6848930

Just can't work.

[Wellred]

 

[GazLaz]

It's not the clubs fault, it's the system. The "go with youth" policy was just to hide a poor budget and save money anyway.

[bpoolrover]

It's always going to happen that's why it's pointless,let's just get some loan players in and let the young lads go out on loan and get some playing time

[DonnyNoel]

Our youth system has a poor reputation and there's much bigger clubs scouting in our area in terms of pull for a youngster. Brave idea but one that should have been implemented years ago so at least we'd be able to say to a potential youngster "you could be the next xxxxx".

[retford rover]

Good luck to Owen, hes a brilliant footballer his dad  Willie played for Lincoln City, remember him playing at Belle Vue against us. Rovers will have got a fee for him, the Retford S Club sponsored him for a couple of years. Hes got the right attitude, just  keep a eye out for him in a couple off years time. 

[DonnyOsmond]

It's EPPP. Means bigger clubs can easily take smaller clubs best youngsters. Probably why McKay was rushed into signing a contract, so he couldn't be tapped up for f**k all.

[Bentley Bullet]

Our new regime of youth development should have been a project for future Rovers first teamers, but not at the expense of funding the present first team squad.

Whether it is true or not it does appear that the emphasis on youth is a reaction to our relegation, and that it was implicated as a way of distracting attention from the first team budget. If this wasn't the case it has to be asked why the extra investment in youth wasn't implemented when the club were promoted to the Championship.

Surely at that point we would have attracted more youngsters to the club, and would have had more chance of keeping the quality ones on board.

[Dagenham Rover]

 

[Donny Viking]

The youth development has been improved significantly in the last 5 years, from a position of almost non-existence. Earlier this year they applied for EPPP but are still some way short, indoor facilities, scouting network etc.  There are now 1st team squads and numerous development squads at all age groups above 8 years old, but it takes time to change your reputation and once you eventually get it right, it still takes 9 years for that first age group to filter through - this is not going to happen over night - but it is our long term future which looks really bright.  The youth policy is not just about bringing your own through (obviously that would be ideal), it also includes bringing in young talent with potential, growing them and establishing them in the team long term.  Bottom line is we cant afford good championship players, so we have to grow our own or we will always be a yo-yo team at best.  You have to be patient with Evina, Wabarra and others and it probably wont happen this season, and maybe not even the next. Its not that easy either, every team is looking for the next star. 

[bpoolrover]

While I agree with you donny we have started it now you only have to look at the bench,I'm sure everyone wants this to work but let's at least have a decent bench rather than untried young lads,they should be out on loan getting real games under there belt not just on the bench and used as a last resort

[Donny Viking]

Maine, Forrester, Jones, De Val, Furman plus 11 starters from Tue is still only 16, which your right is too small a squad.  Its no good having players on the bench if you don't trust them.   But the answer is to bring in 3 or 4 more 21-24 year olds.  Dickov did not have time for this or missed his targets because of the takeover farce and then players arsing him around.  Decent loanees would expect to start and this doesnt help the team develop players long term is all I'm saying, its a short term fix that doesn't really take the club forward.  A centre back or goalie might not go a miss at the moment though. 5 at the back all under 22 is asking a bit much.

[nightporter]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29251977

Proves that if coaches and facilities are good enough small clubs can hold onto their good young players.