Men against Boys

[PAULCAFC]

Davis has said this about us on a number of occasions when we've been thrashed over the past few seasons but saying it about Cheltenham was ridiculous, we weren't playing Liverpool or Manchester City but I'd like to know why we don't ever get any of these 'men' into our club anytime? Surely if the likes of Cheltenham can afford them why can't we? Trim the academy down and fund the first team because Davis and this team we have now will soon be playing non league, if not this season then soon as it's looking inevitable the way our first team is operated and run, basically on the cheap! Comments?

[itwasin]

Trim the Academy down it wants Bricking up and shutting down its past it sell by date a long time ago, Like you said before Paul to many at this club in cosy jobs thats where all the money goes. If they keep on this Track its a sure way to the None Lge and you would not bet against that would you?

[Preston76]

Totally agree to much spent on ex players pretending to be coaches sorry get rid trim RH down and spend some money on what we pay to watch. But this will never happen quote Dario from the last meet the fans meeting we will never get rid of the academie

[Timmy58]

Totally agree to much spent on ex players pretending to be coaches sorry get rid trim RH down and spend some money on what we pay to watch. But this will never happen quote Dario from the last meet the fans meeting we will never get rid of the academie

Of course we shouldn't get rid of the Academy. There are a group of players on the fringe of the first team right now and these players are actually saving money before we actually sell them on. The reality is that the good old days of selling a Dean Ashton or Ashley Westwood for millions are probably behind us, or certainly there won't be as many as we were able to sell a few years ago. That is not a negative about the Academy, rather a negative comment about the game in general. Even championship clubs are picking up foreign players and of course Premiership players are filtering down the leagues. Even down the road at Vale Park there are more European players than British. But there is still a market for our players if they prove good enough. Just not quite as lucrative as a few years back. But why should we opt to miss out on these developing players favour of paying higher wages to journeyman pros who are not really any better than what we have on our books. It didn't bring a lot of success pre Dario!!

[FordCrewe]

Of course we shouldn't get rid of the Academy. There are a group of players on the fringe of the first team right now and these players are actually saving money before we actually sell them on. The reality is that the good old days of selling a Dean Ashton or Ashley Westwood for millions are probably behind us, or certainly there won't be as many as we were able to sell a few years ago. That is not a negative about the Academy, rather a negative comment about the game in general. Even championship clubs are picking up foreign players and of course Premiership players are filtering down the leagues. Even down the road at Vale Park there are more European players than British. But there is still a market for our players if they prove good enough. Just not quite as lucrative as a few years back. But why should we opt to miss out on these developing players favour of paying higher wages to journeyman pros who are not really any better than what we have on our books. It didn't bring a lot of success pre Dario!!

Spot on, great comment. Lower league academies are often personality driven enterprises powered by competent or proven pros who get the buy in from owners. Look at Coventry. 20 years ago they were churning out stellar talent in the Prem. Now they're preparing to shutter their Academy battling at the foot of League 1. Part of me is dreading what happens to the Academy when Dario ultimately retires.