Another one into the Black Hole.

[sinkov]

Strangely Dyche doesn't mention Anderson in that piece, just Mee, Tarko, Long and Taylor. Tom's not established himself as a league player at any level yet, when he does we can add him to the list with McDonald.

[sinkov]

SD is currently on record as saying he is happy with his pool of centre backs. That statement must mean that Anderson who is in the first team squad is in the reckoning and he came through our youth system.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk...backs/?ref=mac

I can see the logic of it, Tarko has always been lined up as Keane's replacement, so no surprise there's no big signing coming in, and as we already have a left back in Ward, Taylor can provide the back-up with Long. Last time we converted a left back to CB we didn't do too badly, so it could work. Does seem a bit like penny-pinching though, for a club that's awash with cash.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I can see the logic of it, Tarko has always been lined up as Keane's replacement, so no surprise there's no big signing coming in, and as we already have a left back in Ward, Taylor can provide the back-up with Long. Last time we converted a left back to CB we didn't do too badly, so it could work. Does seem a bit like penny-pinching though, for a club that's awash with cash.

There's perhaps a different slant to put on this sinkov. Long, Tarkowski have worked hard, waited patiently and been good squad members. What would it do to their confidence and morale if we simply brought in another centre back now?

I know we disagree (what's new?) on Tom Anderson but we have nurtured him and had him out on loan and SD may well consider him good enough to be involved in the bigger picture.

The simple truth is we have Mee, Tarkowski and Long all tried and tested, Tom Anderson is chomping at the bit and additionally we have both Taylor and Ward who can also play at centre half.

Tom Heaton is also doing what a great captain and team leader should do, lament the loss of Keane but insist we won't really miss him that much because of what we already have got!

Reports coming to me suggest that Taylor looks to be an exceptional addition to the squad. It all looks good to me!

Attachment 5784

[sinkov]

We disagree on how close Tom might be to the first team BT, but it doesn't matter, Sean will make his own mind up. It's a bit of a puzzle to me, Dyche doesn't mention him in that piece, so he appears to be No 5 in the pecking order at best, and so miles off the first team, yet he's still here and I believe Dyche rates him. So just where does he stand with Dyche and BFC, he's not a youth any more, his level should be apparent by now. Has he a future here or are they just waiting for the right club to release him to. Hard to know imo.

We also disagree about Tarko, I don't think there's any doubt that Sean bought him as a potential first choice centre half, and it was simply a case of waiting until Keane went before promoting him. I'm like Sean, I have no worries about him, imo he's better now than Keane was at the same stage. We were never going into the transfer market to replace Keane, nor was Long going to overtake him, Tarko was the replacement all along, he has been since the day we signed him.

And in a way I'm pleased Keane went, I don't think Tarko could be kept on the bench for another season, he's far too good, he'd have found another club, which would have been a disaster for us. So all's well that ends well.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Seems that SD shares your view on Tarkowski. I'm not fazed either way, I think either Tarks or Longy can fill the void left by Keane. In the interests of a young man's career who is a local lad and Clarets Mad, I really hope Tom Anderson can step up to the plate.

If Tarkowski can make a seamless transition and really fill Keane's boots, what a brilliant bit of business that would be!

Attachment 5791

[sinkov]

Found two of our more promising youngsters who vanished into the Gawthorpe Black Hole yesterday, Luke Daly and Jamie Frost have come out the other side and were playing at Level 8 for Droylsden at Clitheroe. Both of them looked excellent when I first saw them in the youth team, but they went the way all our youngsters go, into the Black Hole and out into non league. Daly was excellent, captain and ran the midfield, Clitheroe never got the ball off him all afternoon, he looked capable of playing a couple of levels higher at least. Jamie came off the bench and was a real threat. Nevertheless Clitheroe won 2-0.

[thedonz]

Great start from O'Neill yesterday setting up the only goal in Fleetwood's win yesterday. More of that young Aiden please

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Found two of our more promising youngsters who vanished into the Gawthorpe Black Hole yesterday, Luke Daly and Jamie Frost have come out the other side and were playing at Level 8 for Droylsden at Clitheroe. Both of them looked excellent when I first saw them in the youth team, but they went the way all our youngsters go, into the Black Hole and out into non league. Daly was excellent, captain and ran the midfield, Clitheroe never got the ball off him all afternoon, he looked capable of playing a couple of levels higher at least. Jamie came off the bench and was a real threat. Nevertheless Clitheroe won 2-0.

I don't know at which level you played at sinkov. I played for Rossendale Schoolboys and played in the Lancashire Combination and was a decent enough right back but was sadly rather one footed. I once had the misfortune to play against Paul Mariner when he was on his way up through the ranks.

Roasted and toasted! The difference between those that hit the professional ranks and earn their living playing football is miles apart from better than decent amateurs. I honestly thought Steven Hewitt would make it and where is he now?

The Black Hole you describe is heartbreak for lots of lads at different clubs but like Vardy and Gray have proven, if you are good enough you can still make it.

Fine margins sinkov. Fine margins and just because it's tough to unearth a jewel we shouldn't stop digging.

[sinkov]

You were obviously a much better player than I was BT, my level was D2 of the Burnley Combination, as it was called in those days. I did once play for Lancs County Fire Brigade against Humberside, but to be honest they were short of players and scraping the barrel when they got round to picking me.

It is fine margins, the level of non league I watch is awash with young lads who have been released by league clubs, and they can all play, including lots of ours. It's hard to know why some make it and others don't, I often think it's not so much in their feet, it's in their heads. It's still a mystery to me though why we have been so spectacularly unsuccessful at bringing players through, just one league player in ten years is abysmal, no matter what the reasons/excuses are.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

You were obviously a much better player than I was BT, my level was D2 of the Burnley Combination, as it was called in those days. I did once play for Lancs County Fire Brigade against Humberside, but to be honest they were short of players and scraping the barrel when they got round to picking me.

It is fine margins, the level of non league I watch is awash with young lads who have been released by league clubs, and they can all play, including lots of ours. It's hard to know why some make it and others don't, I often think it's not so much in their feet, it's in their heads. It's still a mystery to me though why we have been so spectacularly unsuccessful at bringing players through, just one league player in ten years is abysmal, no matter what the reasons/excuses are.

I suppose sadly, they are just not good enough.