Agreed, Somerset, which takes me back to a post on another thread questioning the sense in taking the Everton lad on loan. If we can't get Jones on the park ahead of Walker and Wintle where does he fit in?

Going back to the kids coming through I think Artell is in a similar place to Davis when he took over. He was blessed with Murphy, Westwood and Powell, with Clayton, Ajay, Mellor, Ray his son and others not far behind and, after initial success, blew it by not getting the right players around them and, in at least one case, totally undermining the confidence of the young players. Dave has Cooper, Jones and Ray as experienced first teasers, with and, Wintle, Lowery, Ainley and others coming through. For me he has already recruited better and, with King Kenny's support, looks a better bet to instil these lads with the sort of confidence required to have a good career.

But I guess only time will tell - thank goodness for the Academy all the same.