Mellon gone and Hughes incoming

[BudMill90]

Frustrates me that we are talking about boys leaving at 17. Would much rather see guys like Smith, Neilson, Mochrie, Meekison, Fotheringham etc all sign one or two more contracts with us, play over 100 games and move on to bigger and better things when they are in their early 20s for a good fee and can go straight into the first team of a team in either the Championship down South or whatever level they are ready for. I get the clamour for money for these guys but I'd rather take the risk of losing 500k now in the chance they can stay at the club for a few years, contribute to (hopeful) success and if they prove that they are ready for another level, then we look to be getting 7 figure sums for them.

It is great that our academy gets this kind of attention but I'm hopeful that we don't lose to many of them. In the past, we've lost guys like Harry Souttar, Ali Coote, Scott Allan, Scott Banks for nominal fees at a very young age to clubs down South. Hopefully these guys can play more of a part in the first team than they did before moving on.

[BackRowArab]

Frustrates me that we are talking about boys leaving at 17. Would much rather see guys like Smith, Neilson, Mochrie, Meekison, Fotheringham etc all sign one or two more contracts with us, play over 100 games and move on to bigger and better things when they are in their early 20s for a good fee and can go straight into the first team of a team in either the Championship down South or whatever level they are ready for. I get the clamour for money for these guys but I'd rather take the risk of losing 500k now in the chance they can stay at the club for a few years, contribute to (hopeful) success and if they prove that they are ready for another level, then we look to be getting 7 figure sums for them.

It is great that our academy gets this kind of attention but I'm hopeful that we don't lose to many of them. In the past, we've lost guys like Harry Souttar, Ali Coote, Scott Allan, Scott Banks for nominal fees at a very young age to clubs down South. Hopefully these guys can play more of a part in the first team than they did before moving on.

I think United will be more than happy to keep these kids for another 2-3 years, to maximise the money we get for them. Unfortunately if Man Utd/Villa/whoever comes in with a bid for Smith and he wants to take his chance down south then it is tough for us to turn it down.

The reason we get these kids choosing United at 13-14 is because we won't stand in their way if a big team comes in for them (also they know they will get chances to play at 17-19 at Tannadice that they won't at other clubs up here)