Quote Originally Posted by alexmick View Post
These academy lads are now really coming to the forefront, something that was lacking pre-Artell. I really believe that it is the change in philosophy at the club since the new manager's arrival that has sparked the change in this direction. We seemed to lose too many rising starlets before they "came of age", so to speak. Now they are given game time, allowed the chance to develop and have experienced pros around them, in order to help them when this is required. All down to the inspiration of the Artell / Lunt partnership. What a difference they have made and it is now bearing fruit.
To be honest Alexmick, I think it is less to do with the new manager and more to do with the fact that these youngsters have been in the pipeline for a couple of years and as they have grown and matured they have earned their opportunities. By definition the Academy will produce players every year. Not all will be good enough. Some will be good enough to get an opportunity to play in the first team and a very small number will look as good as Cooper and Lowery etc. Sadly there is no guarantee they will succeed and this is shown by the fact that our last major sale was Nick Powell and he has not been an unqualified success. Fine lines!