Rusnak to Oldham

[ant london]

Very interesting move...I thought in the US he looked decent and heard good things. Pretty young to be sent out....sounds like he is positively rated if they are doing that with him now?

[BlueinBosnia]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

[Moonchesteri]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

Not sure about that tbh. It's also a question of playing kids games or playing men's games

But obviously it is more appealing to play against Bayern than Shrewsbury.

Anyway hope he sees a lot of action and does well there. Good luck Albert!

[BlueinBosnia]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

Not sure about that tbh. It's also a question of playing kids games or playing men's games

But obviously it is more appealing to play against Bayern than Shrewsbury.

Anyway hope he sees a lot of action and does well there. Good luck Albert!

It's not just that - a lot of international coaches will be at these youth CL games, and (although other people on here won't admit a youth player would ever dream of leaving on their own accord) scouts of other clubs.

On a second check, his birthdate is July '94. Does that make him eligible or not, does anyone know?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

Not sure about that tbh. It's also a question of playing kids games or playing men's games

But obviously it is more appealing to play against Bayern than Shrewsbury.

Anyway hope he sees a lot of action and does well there. Good luck Albert!

It's not just that - a lot of international coaches will be at these youth CL games, and (although other people on here won't admit a youth player would ever dream of leaving on their own accord) scouts of other clubs.

On a second check, his birthdate is July '94. Does that make him eligible or not, does anyone know?

Yes he was 19 last month and although eligible for whatever City have coming for the "young reserves" I would say it's more important for Rusnak that he gets a loan move.I had been surprised that some others (Huws,Drury) had gone on loan but not Rusnak.

He has definitely shown good signs and was clearly our stand out player in the recent Everton games and maybe it's from that game that Oldham have taken the plunge Definitely a maybe and good luck to him.

[BlueinBosnia]

Yes he was 19 last month and although eligible for whatever City have coming for the "young reserves" I would say it's more important for Rusnak that he gets a loan move.I had been surprised that some others (Huws,Drury) had gone on loan but not Rusnak.

This is where I'd disagree.

I personally am not a fan of this English insistence of 'getting the kid out on loan' to a lower league club with worse pitches, different style of play and poorer overall setup. In the Netherlands it isn't the done thing, and in Spain the larger clubs have the fortune of having 'B' teams in lower leagues, which keep the player within the club setup, but allow them competitive gametime. UEFA have handed English clubs a chance to alter their mentality toward youth prospects, and yet we still use the 'tried and tested' method which has seen English football become a glittering example for the world to follow in youth development over the past 40 years. Oh, wait.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Yes he was 19 last month and although eligible for whatever City have coming for the "young reserves" I would say it's more important for Rusnak that he gets a loan move.I had been surprised that some others (Huws,Drury) had gone on loan but not Rusnak.

This is where I'd disagree.

I personally am not a fan of this English insistence of 'getting the kid out on loan' to a lower league club with worse pitches, different style of play and poorer overall setup. In the Netherlands it isn't the done thing, and in Spain the larger clubs have the fortune of having 'B' teams in lower leagues, which keep the player within the club setup, but allow them competitive gametime. UEFA have handed English clubs a chance to alter their mentality toward youth prospects, and yet we still use the 'tried and tested' method which has seen English football become a glittering example for the world to follow in youth development over the past 40 years. Oh, wait.

The key will be whether we have chosen well with Oldham and whether he gets enough playing time. If he stays he would get maybe 7 or 8 games in the youth sides so it's important he gets more opportunities with Oldham.

[sweenyuk]

Yes he was 19 last month and although eligible for whatever City have coming for the "young reserves" I would say it's more important for Rusnak that he gets a loan move.I had been surprised that some others (Huws,Drury) had gone on loan but not Rusnak.

This is where I'd disagree.

I personally am not a fan of this English insistence of 'getting the kid out on loan' to a lower league club with worse pitches, different style of play and poorer overall setup. In the Netherlands it isn't the done thing, and in Spain the larger clubs have the fortune of having 'B' teams in lower leagues, which keep the player within the club setup, but allow them competitive gametime. UEFA have handed English clubs a chance to alter their mentality toward youth prospects, and yet we still use the 'tried and tested' method which has seen English football become a glittering example for the world to follow in youth development over the past 40 years. Oh, wait.

I'm with you on this one, I just don't get why we are building this massive academy, bringing in the worlds best coaches etc to then send out our best youth players to some low league team with poor facilities and low level coaches. If we loan they should train with us at least 3 days a week, but that never seems to be the case, most say they have no contact from city whilst away on loan

[Blue Since 92]

I'm with you on this one, I just don't get why we are building this massive academy, bringing in the worlds best coaches etc to then send out our best youth players to some low league team with poor facilities and low level coaches. If we loan they should train with us at least 3 days a week, but that never seems to be the case, most say they have no contact from city whilst away on loan

I think the emphasis should be on BUILDING a massive academy, might change once its built.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

On the contrary.
Playing (if he actually gets to play that is) against grown men with Oldham will be million miles more valuable than playing yet more matches against kids his age. Even if they are supposedly "best in the world", 90% of them will never play side as good as Oldham. That's just the way it is.

[Ted Hughes]

Yes he was 19 last month and although eligible for whatever City have coming for the "young reserves" I would say it's more important for Rusnak that he gets a loan move.I had been surprised that some others (Huws,Drury) had gone on loan but not Rusnak.

This is where I'd disagree.

I personally am not a fan of this English insistence of 'getting the kid out on loan' to a lower league club with worse pitches, different style of play and poorer overall setup. In the Netherlands it isn't the done thing, and in Spain the larger clubs have the fortune of having 'B' teams in lower leagues, which keep the player within the club setup, but allow them competitive gametime. UEFA have handed English clubs a chance to alter their mentality toward youth prospects, and yet we still use the 'tried and tested' method which has seen English football become a glittering example for the world to follow in youth development over the past 40 years. Oh, wait.

I'm with you on this one, I just don't get why we are building this massive academy, bringing in the worlds best coaches etc to then send out our best youth players to some low league team with poor facilities and low level coaches. If we loan they should train with us at least 3 days a week, but that never seems to be the case, most say they have no contact from city whilst away on loan

The point is, that if a player comes through who is truly exceptional, he will come into the first team squad. If he's almost but not quite ready, he may be sent away to toughen up & also as a test to see what he's got, then come into the 1st team squad.

Reserve team football is not of a high enough standard. It may improve now that everyone has realised it's a problem, but currently it's limited. Also Rusnak is 19 not 16 or 17. Micah & Ned were playing against Arsenal, Utd etc in the Premier League by that age. Hart was playing for Shrewsbury at 17.

These lads like Rusnak, Suarez need to test themselves in proper football. They have been doing the basics for years, they need to be putting it into practice. Barca's kids play in a proper league.

Presumably if it was possible to loan out Rusnak to a top team, he would be there, but he has not shown enough that teams of a higher level have asked for him.

It's not just about playing for City, it's about the players having a career in football. If you are the parent of a talented kid & your choice of club is between A) one that locks all it's players up then chucks them in the bin or B) one which gives it's players exposure & finds them work, even if they don't make it, you will choose B. We want kids to sign for us.

These kids like Suarez, Rekik, Rusnak; they are not nailed on superstars, they are kids who have a chance of a career in football. At what level that career will be, is going to be decided in the next year or two. They need to play, either for us, or for someone else. The truly top prospects will be fast tracked either via a loan to get them match sharp then our 1st team squad, or just straight into the squad/team.

Does anyone honestly think than Messi or Ronaldo would be harmed by playing at Oldham for a while ? They'd just skin every fucker alive & come back straight into our first team with a bit more street smart attitude.

If Guidetti hadn't got injured, he would have had his shot, due to his performances in Holland. Likewise if Rekik continues to impress the management/public over there, he will get a chance here next season or the one after.

If Rusnak is good enough, he will set Oldham's team alight & either come back into our squad or get asked to go on loan at WBA or Everton or Malaga etc. If he isn't, he may be good enough to play for Sheffield Wed, or Charlton or Barnsley or Oldham.

This is his chance to start a career in football.

[BlueinBosnia]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

On the contrary.
Playing (if he actually gets to play that is) against grown men with Oldham will be million miles more valuable than playing yet more matches against kids his age. Even if they are supposedly "best in the world", 90% of them will never play side as good as Oldham. That's just the way it is.

I think the youth CL will give them far more international exposure to coaches than playing against Oldham's seniors. This is what would be in the better interest of our foreign academy prospects, in my opinion, and a better promotional point for the club in attracting foreign youngsters (providing the youth CL doesn't turn into a typical UEFA omnishambles).

Actually, I may have something wrong here - was Rusnak spotted in the UK? I think one of our Slovak players was...

[Ted Hughes]

How long for, and how old is he? I'd be pretty miffed at missing out on the youth Champions' League to play lower league football if I were in his shoes...

On the contrary.
Playing (if he actually gets to play that is) against grown men with Oldham will be million miles more valuable than playing yet more matches against kids his age. Even if they are supposedly "best in the world", 90% of them will never play side as good as Oldham. That's just the way it is.

I think the youth CL will give them far more international exposure to coaches than playing against Oldham's seniors. This is what would be in the better interest of our foreign academy prospects, in my opinion, and a better promotional point for the club in attracting foreign youngsters (providing the youth CL doesn't turn into a typical UEFA omnishambles).

Actually, I may have something wrong here - was Rusnak spotted in the UK? I think one of our Slovak players was...

Have you considered that 19 year old Rusnak is stopping some younger potentially better players, maybe 16 or 17 year olds, who do gain from the experience, from playing in said competition ? But this way they all gain experience ?

[BlueinBosnia]

Have you considered that 19 year old Rusnak is stopping some younger potentially better players, maybe 16 or 17 year olds, who do gain from the experience, from playing in said competition ? But this way they all gain experience ?

Have you considered that if we adopt that attitude, academy players may be disinclined to come here due to the lack of exposure they receive to clubs internationally at the tail-end of their apprenticeship?

Also, although Rusnak may be fortunate in that his father is a scout and well-connected in the Slovak football world, if he wants a junior national team call up, I'd see a greater opportunity arise for this from him playing in the youth CL than from him playing in League One.

[Ted Hughes]

Have you considered that 19 year old Rusnak is stopping some younger potentially better players, maybe 16 or 17 year olds, who do gain from the experience, from playing in said competition ? But this way they all gain experience ?

Have you considered that if we adopt that attitude, academy players may be disinclined to come here due to the lack of exposure they receive to clubs internationally at the tail-end of their apprenticeship?

Also, although Rusnak may be fortunate in that his father is a scout and well-connected in the Slovak football world, if he wants a junior national team call up, I'd see a greater opportunity arise for this from him playing in the youth CL than from him playing in League One.

He has already done it in such tournaments. He has had his opportunity to do that. The European scouts know who he is. They haven't come for him or he would be on loan in Europe.

Have you considered anyway that if we don't adopt that attitude, the academy will pretty much grind to a stop & all the best kids will leave before they sign professional forms because they can't get through,& that Rusnak would still be yet to make a name for himself in the reserves because his path would be blocked by other players we can't find clubs for, because we didn't loan them out, then Lopez/Pozo etc would be on the bench in the team full of Ruznak's & Suarez's who can't get in the reserve team ?

Imagine all the younger kids stuck behind the players we have now, sharing game time with the ones we loaned out & therefore moved on in the last two years but instead of leaving, they stayed & played in City's reserves ? Without those loan spells, a lot of them would still be at City, contracted to us, on our wage bill, taking Rusnak's place regularly. He would be held back by them. We still have some in exactly that situation; holding up the line, now.

Do you think Weiss etc wish City had kept them in the reserves ?

If Rusnak is any good, he will soon be back & in the meantime he may be live on TV knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup like our lad last season. Or he may be playing as a full professional thanks to us putting him in the shop window.

That's enough for now.