Youth Policy - 'Yes' or 'No'

[GOONER1991]

The youth policy itself is not an issue, it's the fact that we broke up the invincibles too fast and thus there were no experienced players to coach them, point them in the right direction, and to motivate them, keeping them in line. We need some experience in the squad, and we just don't have it, and the experience we do have isn't the correct type of experience. We need proven winners, like the Lehmanns, Campbells and Henrys in the team. Everyone complained that Henry wasn't good for our young team, because he would ***** at them if they didn't get it right. Isn't that exactly what we need? These players get it too easy here. They can f**k up consistently and no one will say anything to them. We need experience to put them in their place now and then, but when we do have that, they cry about it.

Our youth has great potential, but we need some characters in the team. Like Lehmann, Henry etc and we don't have that. An experienced signing or two would do us the world of good.

 

[Anzac]

To clarify - I am NOT opposed to the policy of internal development of youth. I AM opposed to the manner in which it has been implemented into the Senior Team since 08/09. IMO the development & progress of Wilshere is the ONLY example of it having been done 'the right way'. Rambo was developing along the same pathway until the time of his injury.

Similarly I do NOT think the break up of The Invincibles has been the problem, but rather the loss of the senior players in the summer of '08. IMO those players provided the required continuity from The Invincibles squad & a natural progression/evolution. It was only when they left that the Youth Project became fully integrated as a development project into the Senior & 1st team, and in particular our midfield which provides the engine room to our play.

Having said that I also think the CCup Final loss to CFC gave AW false hope/expectation that those developing players were capable/ready to step up to provide the core of the 1st team. The 08/09 season showed they were not yet AW persisted with them in his belief that they had the talent & potential to come good. As a consequence he spent 3 seasons tinkering with team shape, roles & positions in an effort to enable them to do so, whilst supplementing with minimal signings so as to not kill their development opportunities within the team.

I've mentioned elsewhere that IMO our season targets have remained 'low' in regards to the team, and that there has been little pressure to produce as a result. This has allowed AW to 'reset' with the same targets each season as he changed the players & then shape & roles in successive seasons. His ability to achieve those same outcomes with each season of change has allowed him to persist & claim 'success' and progress, culminating in the statement 2 years ago about judging the project at the end of this season.

Rather than the players lacking quality/talent, IMO it has been the mass integration of players that are still developing that has been to the detriment of all involved. Once the initial 'error' had been made in 08/09, AW probably felt he needed to give them the utmost opportunity via playing time to succeed. Further to this he also had to consider the optimum development & opportunities for the next players coming through. However the end result being that the initial players have stagnated.

In summary it is NOT the policy, but more so the initial extended group of players that were rushed into the front line (Denilson, Diaby, Song, Clichy, Eboue, Walcott & Bendtner), none of whom are 'there' as yet despite triple figures in apprearances and 3 seasons as senior players.

There have been other mitigating factors such as the persistant injuries to players (a seperate issue regarding the management of the squad & 'faith' in players), but it IS significant that our newest graduate to the Senior team has effectively leap frogged the initial players.

The 'danger' is 'if' AW persists with retaining the initial group as the core of the senior team in a continued attempt to have them develop (even if as squad players rather than starters), whilst still wanting to provide similar opportunities to further players = a continuation of the status quo. IMO the starting team MUST be so ON MERIT, not just in regards to in house options but moreso in regards to being genuine contenders for titles as a top4 club in the PL & CL.

For a number of reasons the initial group have failed to deliver to date, but the time has come to redress the balance/cut our losses & move on to reestablishing our capabilities rather than our potential. This also includes the redressing our our shape etc to our optimum, rather than the constant compromise to accomodate development opportunities for players as square pegs etc. If the next tier of players coming through are GENUINE talents then they will get their opportunities via loan & Cup squad, but as yet only the likes of Rambo & Lansbury look ready to join the senior squad. Similarly serious questions need to be asked regarding the lack of opportunities afforded the likes of Vela during his time at the club.

Apologies for length/rant.

 

[ebouenolike]

Top post Anzac, I am in agreement with just about everything.

 

[DK Gooner]

Well said Anzac