Alffi_7 wrote:
Not sure I agree, Ben Currie being the case in point, he was a regular first teamer at 18, he was clearly always going to be good enough and the club backed him. To a lesser extent, Philbin got plenty of game time as a younger player as well, he was always going to be a decent SL player.
Fact is for a long time the players coming through weren't good enough to be given the opportunity to step up.
On O'Brien and Patton specifically, they played 60 odd and 100 odd games for us, so they were given plenty of opportunity I think. O'Brien was the better of the two, but he wasn't good enough IMO to be considered a starter for a 'top 4 club'.
We have a long established track record of the following sequence with young players.
1. Promising youth player. Lots of hyperbole and exaggerated claims. 1st team contract.
2. Debut
3. Loan
4. Lots of argument about why they are not getting selected.
4. Another loan, maybe a few more games.
5. Exit to lower league.
As a teaser name the players in the last 25 years who have followed this sequence.
1. Promising youth player. 1st team contract.
2. Debut
3. Wins starting jersey / 1st pick.
4. International representation.
I can think of Phibin, Mike Cooper, Currie doesn't count as he wasn't home grown. Which others?