Quote Originally Posted by MikeSB View Post
Well, at least you have had a go at reading and replying and agreeing with most of the points presented. I do respect other posters opinions, especially yours actually. Football means you need to keep repeating what works and what doesn't. Few posters here will not accept the academy of 10-15 years ago does not really work as it did before then when we got millions of pounds for players which we haven't for many years now and in that case then changes need to be made and that is all really. People obviously want to keep the status quo because it did work. What about those opinions that kept being trotted out, like the "next batch" coming through etc..A million pound academy just to see youths coming through at 4th division level after a couple of years in the first team and then some of them leaving without a fee annoys everyone. I don't want to add things about my personal health as I don't actually want to excuse not going to games or get any sympathy vote. Problems are expected with age.

I'm not sure why my opinion should irritate anyone as it is a football forum and we have been struggling for some time and the BoD don't seem to want to change thingsto match most clubs in the lower leagues. Which is their prerogative as they are the custodians of the club at the moment.

When I looked at academy graduates coming through to the first team the information I read was it was a very low percentage compared with the total number. Money dictates and PL clubs would rather pay a 37 year old 300 grand a week and 76 million for players...we know its crazy..

I said some of your points had merit which doesn't necessarily mean I agree with them. It means I can see the point of the argument. I disagree entirely and utterly with your view about our Academy and its merits. The problem isn't so much the Academy and more how we process those coming through and what our expectation is in terms of sell on. Lowery leaving for nothing last summer was disappointing and repetition of this should be avoided at all cost even if it means we lose them sooner than we would want and the fee being less than ideal.

It is not so much that your opinion irritates everyone, It is the "cut and paste" impression that the repetition gives and it is generally brought into most threads.

Most kids in the Academy won't make it and I would like to think that the way our club and, for that matter any club, let these kids down in terms of their dreams that is the most important thing