An interesting perspective here from Brentford - Adapting to the realities of modern football?
I don't know if there's anything we can take away from it at our level, but I like their approach of picking up discarded players and giving them an opportunity. In a way, it's an upscale, Europe wide approach to what i'd like to see us doing at a north east level with our first team. The first thing we should be doing every summer is getting the lads released by Boro in for a trial. Then Sunderland, Newcastle, Leeds etc.
A good read, and food for thought
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46864784
An argument against youth teams
Re: An argument against youth teams
Agree with most of that but slightly worried it could go a bit Royston Vasey - local shop for local lads.
On the other hand, this season proved that having more than 50% of the 1st team travelling over 100 miles to get to training & home games, has not worked for part-time players. Obviously we cannot go full-time as just not got the income to justify it. The plus side to a youth team is giving a short term target for our Academy players. They are our club's longterm future and we neglect them at our peril.
On the other hand, this season proved that having more than 50% of the 1st team travelling over 100 miles to get to training & home games, has not worked for part-time players. Obviously we cannot go full-time as just not got the income to justify it. The plus side to a youth team is giving a short term target for our Academy players. They are our club's longterm future and we neglect them at our peril.