Quote Originally Posted by whitestomper45 View Post
This isn't the 1970s Oz. We have an Italian owner, Argentinian manager, so likely the internationals will understand more what the manager is asking of them.
With regards Harrison (and White and more), we couldn't afford them so we used the loan system and they were integral to getting us promoted . This is a route many clubs have used to get to the Premiership. Since the Bosman rule came in it has turned the transfer market on its head (add in agents).
We have been developing our underage academy it is now Category 1, the highest... This means another club cannot just come along and take a promising player based on them going to a better rated academy.

Trying to get the right balance between buying in experience and developing your own is not easy, you also want the right temperament.

Putting in too many young kids too early would mean we stayed floundering in the lower part of Championship/Lge 1. As can be seen by last nights hammering of the U21's by Accrington 7-0 in EFL cup. As a category 1 club we were allowed enter the competition, but the requirements about how long players had been at club meant we used many U18's.

But in a way this shows the strategy of importing young "internationals" to improve both 1st team and the clubs youth grading is working. Now they can look to develop local players too in better facilities without the fear of them being hoovered up for pittance.
I know that stomper that's why I said the whole world of football is like it is. Even the local league here imports has-beens from other countries so you won't see many Vidukas Kewells coming through.
As for developing the underage academy FFS they got beat 7-0 need more than to develop them need a miracle.(and yes i know most were under 18S) still a shock though.
Like you say times have changed but ask many of your countrymen if they prefer to see all English player teams or the state the clubs are in which do you think they would prefer?
England won 1 nill thanks to a penalty and a missed penalty form the other team and couldn't even beat Denmark that is the state football is in.