Regroup

[LordK]

Well, not the start we wanted, can we please move off the Academy comments. It's not a viable or rapid fix to mess with. The Chairman states it's a multi-year commitment funded outwith the any possiblity of re-allocation of funds to 1st team playing staff. If it had produced x player a year culminating in a decent transfer fee income to almost self fund, it would be mute point. The whole structure in Premier and championship transfers is messed up. Big sides pay stupid money for an overseas 17yo., but will not pay reasonable money for UK academy players. Crewe Alex., search for a benefactor supporting to club would be nice, however will be difficult to get a significant investor without them demanding large proportion of shares. We also do not wish a Swindon situation at Crewe. This season, will be hard graft, with the squad in place, as defense shaky, midfield struggling, lack of goals (not sure where these can come from). Still not convinced on the goalkeeping front, no command of the box, like a more dominant attitude, most of goals scored against us within 6 yards!
Let's see what Saturday vs Swindon brings? Also any comments from the forum?

[gazan]

Will be interesting. Two teams smarting from heavy home defeats will want to make amends. However, results and performances so far don't fill me with confidence at the moment. Still, will keep an open mind until a clear pattern emerges.

[ShropshireAlex]

4-4 anyone?

[Furberstreet]

I am not entirely convinced that a discussion on the future of the Academy should run into the buffers as a moot point. It is clear that the sale of players from the Academy is not self-funding and nor is it contributing to the wider club finances. Is it because we no longer produce players likely to be sold for £1m+ or is because the market for home grown players is flat? Whatever the response, it is clear that the business model at the core of the club is no longer working. There have been a number of dangerous examples of domestic and foreign investors at League clubs and I would not want us to go the way of Orient, Macclesfield or Charlton. It will be a long and hard season and I hope we can kickstart our season against Swindon, but I cannot be confident.

[ShropshireAlex]

Anyone got news from the Forum last night?

[Gobstopper]

I am not entirely convinced that a discussion on the future of the Academy should run into the buffers as a moot point. It is clear that the sale of players from the Academy is not self-funding and nor is it contributing to the wider club finances. Is it because we no longer produce players likely to be sold for £1m+ or is because the market for home grown players is flat? Whatever the response, it is clear that the business model at the core of the club is no longer working. There have been a number of dangerous examples of domestic and foreign investors at League clubs and I would not want us to go the way of Orient, Macclesfield or Charlton. It will be a long and hard season and I hope we can kickstart our season against Swindon, but I cannot be confident.

I don't think the Academy is just about breaking even, it must also produce players who will make the first team and hopefully players with more potential than we can can get in the transfer market. That's the plan but it doesn't always work out, some players need time to develop and gain experience, some need more time and some will fail to make that step from professional contract to first team. We have always managed to develop these players its just that with the 24 years cut off we don't get a return when they leave and most younger players will not sign past 24. Rio was an exception we lost his services early but at least received a fee.