What is the point of having a lavish academy then?

[somersetcrewe]

And we may well have established ourselves a L1 club then with an intention to stay there or even go higher, like Bournemouth have...

Interesting discussion as ever, Mike (even if I dont agree with you! ) but haven't I told you before not to compare apples with oranges?
Choose your examples carefully.
Without Maxim Denim's millions, Bournemouth would still be where we are.
Ok, they appear to have a shrewd manager (coach? ) in Eddie Howe but without Denim, he wouldn't be able to pick the likes of Wilson, Boruc, Wilshire, etc in the first place!

That's a separate topic altogether.
Do we want a Maxim Denim here or do we continue to try to do it our way? - I know which one I'd choose.
Football sold its soul a long time ago - I hope it doesn't get to sell my club too ...?!!

It's not always about being at the top table you know (that's reserved for the big boys anyway), it's sometimes about how you get there in the first place!