Quote Originally Posted by gazan View Post
I still think a few people are still ignoring the balance of costs of playing our graduates versus recruiting 100% outsiders. £1 million ( which, on balance, is not the net figure lost by the academy) is still not a huge sum to run a football club over a few seasons as, don't forget once the first season is over after downgrading/abolishing the academy, where is the 'saving'/ cash coming from to maintain the existing personnel or indeed finance incoming after that?
One of the biggest problems that does exist with the academy system in general is the playing of that system by Premier League clubs. The mass hoovering up of potential talent and the poor application of the 'duty of care' skews the whole talent pool and ruins significant numbers. - roll on the Football Governance Bill.
On the other hand, those that survive the system already expect unrealistic salaries.
According to 'Inside Crewe', LB has already spoken to a striker and a midfielder. Should we hold our breath?
The point you make around where the saving and therefore the readies for new players and wages etc comes from after downgrading or abolishing the Academy is a very good one and one that few people consider. And that is my concern. Whilst we are coaching young kids in our Academy and those graduating to full time contracts are not on big wages and certainly nowhere near the wages someone from outside with experience would be demanding/commanding. And until a satisfactory solution to that issue is found it makes no sense whatsoever to get rid of or reduce the level of the Academy.