And people talk about the academy being an out-dated concept.
Harping back to the 60s definitely is.
We won the World Cup in 66 with a large slice of luck, home advantage, some world class players of their time and the fact that other countries were no better at developing their players than we were. It wasn't just England who didn't run academies, it wasn't just England who (allegedly) did not focus as much on coaching. It was everyone else too. So that cancels that one out.
That World Cup winning team wouldn't have a sniff against the best of today. The only "high press" they were aware of would be those journalists in the expensive seats!!
How did we produce a Frank Lord? (and are you really sure there were "thousands" of others?). We probably didn't. We just got lucky that he played for us at the time. Could he do the same in today's game? The old romantics would like to think so but we will never know. Chances are if he were THAT good, he'd either be tightly marked and less effective OR sold on to a team in a higher league. How come he never was?
And AL, do you really think we are "stuck" with Artell? Do you not see the progress that others see? Do you not think it is fair to give him time to develop a team of his own? I tell you what, if he retains the core of the present side next season that he has put together (although I fear Jones and Ainley may not be part of it), I can see us in the top 10 and challenging. There's a lot of natural talent in that squad. I hope to god it isn't coached out of them!