Signings versus Academy

[splinter]

We seem to have a steady stream of young players coming through the academy, do supporters get more satisfaction from academy players making the first team or multi million pound signings.

[WBA123]

We seem to have a steady stream of young players coming through the academy, do supporters get more satisfaction from academy players making the first team or multi million pound signings.

Academy players every day of the week.

Its exciting to see their development. And they generally have an affiliation with the club.

[saltnshake]

Academy players definitely but you have to use them correctly the way big Dave has used Harper this season has been great and we are now seeing the benefit the only issue we have as a club is giving them contracts that mean they stay at the club.

[Albionic68]

We seem to have a steady stream of young players coming through the academy, do supporters get more satisfaction from academy players making the first team or multi million pound signings.

I get more satisfaction from seeing academy players make the first team than seeing multi million pound signings. Which I suppose is just as well given our record and general reluctance/inability to deal effectively in the multi million pound market. If academy players are good enough, and hopefully tough enough for the rigours of first team football, then they're more than fine by me.

[Joy_Division]

Academy players coming through and becoming first team regulars is what it is all about. Or picking up a nobody from the lower divisions who go on to become big players is another satisfying option.

[goodlordmurphy]

It's got to be home grown academy players, it's something to see for all the stalwarts that go week in week out that they get something special for their money.

[boingy]

Neither. I am impressed with the youngsters but don't see many ready yet to wear the shirt in important matches with the exception of Harper and possibly Field. The loan signings are a short term fix who will leave us with half a team when they wave bye bye at the end of the season. We need to compete with the spending of more ambitious clubs if we are going to be serious about mounting a challenge anywhere after this season.

[stripes39]

Has to be academy players doesn't it? Although, I feel the question is slightly academic. We don't tend to dip our toe in to the transfer market and set the world on fire and if we do have promising youngsters of true quality then their heads will get turned in any case.