Will we ever unearth a Lower Division gem again?

[Blue Toy]

I'm talking a Paul Stewart type signing. I think we paid Blackpool £200k for him when they were in Division 4 as it was then.

Will it ever happen again? I'm not one of these who is uncomfortable with our wealth, I fucking love it and wouldn't go back to dodgy days for anything, but I remember when we signed Stewart and within a very short space of time it was apparent we'd found ourselves an incredible bargain. The same can also be said of Kinkladze - nobody (or very few) had heard of him prior to his arrival.

Are we still scouting the lower divisions I wonder? Or are we now only on the lookout for (seemingly) guaranteed talent? Are the days of £200k purchases gone (or whatever today's monetary equivalent is), not only for us but for all Prem teams?

[the_georgian_genius]

I'm talking a Paul Stewart type signing. I think we paid Blackpool £200k for him when they were in Division 4 as it was then.

Will it ever happen again? I'm not one of these who is uncomfortable with our wealth, I fucking love it and wouldn't go back to dodgy days for anything, but I remember when we signed Stewart and within a very short space of time it was apparent we'd found ourselves an incredible bargain. The same can also be said of Kinkladze - nobody (or very few) had heard of him prior to his arrival.

Are we still scouting the lower divisions I wonder? Or are we now only on the lookout for (seemingly) guaranteed talent? Are the days of £200k purchases gone (or whatever today's monetary equivalent is), not only for us but for all Prem teams?

Adam Johnson? We're scouting the lower divisions but at youth level, the young lad from swindon for example.

[Burt]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

[Blue Toy]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

Yeah good point.... Although he signed and then learned his trade in the reserves.

I can't see us ever doing it again with a player that goes straight into the starting 11.

[ruralblue]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

Indeed Burt Shrewsbury.

I dont think we will see windows like the last couple again. I think what we will see if more kids unearthed. be it from lower divisions or abroad, i dunno. But in answer to Op yes I do.

[Burt]

Didn't we recently sign a kid form somewhere like Swindon?

[Blue Blood]

Didn't we recently sign a kid form somewhere like Swindon?

Alex Henshall

[MARKMAKAVELI]

Well they have been fuckin jim cassell of for ages an the academys strategy is strong and athletic when recruiting.
This is why he is being edged out.
Strange choice given that some of our latest signings are exactly the opposite but class an that cassell is the reason for academys previous successes.

[Burt]

Didn't we recently sign a kid form somewhere like Swindon?

Alex Henshall

Thanks mate. I couldn't remember his name. Doesn't this prove that we're still trying to uncover these lower league potential gems?

[Crossie]

Yes I think as time goes on we're more likely to find out.

All the bigger clubs are letting their youth stars go, they spend a few years dominating the lower leagues then end up back at the bigger clubs.

[Murph]

Well they have been fuckin jim cassell of for ages an the academys strategy is strong and athletic when recruiting.
This is why he is being edged out.
Strange choice given that some of our latest signings are exactly the opposite but class an that cassell is the reason for academys previous successes.

Strange one that mate, under Cassell our academy has produced lots of strong athletic types for the 1st team. What was good for our academy 5 years ago isn't necessarily good now, I'd have hoped we were looking to bring through some good technically gifted players.

[brite blu sky]

although still possible perhaps it is becoming less likely. For one that all clubs are grabbing kids these days so the gems are more likely to be already in an academy. And the other factor that we may be looking for a different type of player now, as suggested more technical. Like this kid on trial with us now from Barca.
It is possible that say some late developers that go back to lower div clubs from being in academies and then come good some years later.

[Ted Hughes]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

Indeed Burt Shrewsbury.

I dont think we will see windows like the last couple again. I think what we will see if more kids unearthed. be it from lower divisions or abroad, i dunno. But in answer to Op yes I do.

Never knew Burt's surname was Shrewsbury.


Listening to various radio & tv stuff, I recon there's a general opinion that the academy system has failed. I agree. I don't think the players we have coming through are, on the whole, of the same quality Ken Barnes brought through at City & the same comparison exists at the rags, where Kiddo brought through players who piss on the current bunch.

There have been some changes in recent years & I'm led to believe both City & England have some good young kids. If there's a will to continue improving at grassroots level, then we may see the days return where it's possible to pick up a percentage of players from lower leagues.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Good topic. Raises lot of thoughts.

First of all, I don't think it's likely that we ever again sign player below Championship level that would go straight in the first team. The gap between divisions has become bigger and bigger over past ten years. And it's not just Premiership and rest anymore. The step up from 2nd division to Championship for example is giant one.

Regarding youth players in general. The new player restrictions were created to offer young domestic players better chance. I think that it might have opposite effect! While before one of the most common routes to the top was through making your name in lower divisions at early age, now players are recruited before the age of 18 (UEFA homegrown rules). This leads into young players being stuck in reserves and youth teams. Short loan spells help and obviously they receive better coaching in Academies. However as a player nothing improves you more than playing regularily against grown men even in lower leagues. Academies can't offer you that.

Also this has made youth player recruitment more ruthless than ever. While in the past young Finnish players usually stayed at home to do their high school graduation (=a-levels) and did their obligatory army service before going to professional game, now they are recruited straight from the school leaving them with little education in case they don't make it in game.

[irblinx]

Good topic. Raises lot of thoughts.

First of all, I don't think it's likely that we ever again sign player below Championship level that would go straight in the first team. The gap between divisions has become bigger and bigger over past ten years. And it's not just Premiership and rest anymore. The step up from 2nd division to Championship for example is giant one.

Regarding youth players in general. The new player restrictions were created to offer young domestic players better chance. I think that it might have opposite effect! While before one of the most common routes to the top was through making your name in lower divisions at early age, now players are recruited before the age of 18 (UEFA homegrown rules). This leads into young players being stuck in reserves and youth teams. Short loan spells help and obviously they receive better coaching in Academies. However as a player nothing improves you more than playing regularily against grown men even in lower leagues. Academies can't offer you that.

Also this has made youth player recruitment more ruthless than ever. While in the past young Finnish players usually stayed at home to do their high school graduation (=a-levels) and did their obligatory army service before going to professional game, now they are recruited straight from the school leaving them with little education in case they don't make it in game.

Interesting point, you see similar in Scotland where Rangers and Celtic traditionally had plenty of money compared to everyone else and so bought all the best young players who had previously been playing first team football and just stuck them in their reserves.

[Burt]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

Indeed Burt Shrewsbury.

I dont think we will see windows like the last couple again. I think what we will see if more kids unearthed. be it from lower divisions or abroad, i dunno. But in answer to Op yes I do.

Never knew Burt's surname was Shrewsbury.


Listening to various radio & tv stuff, I recon there's a general opinion that the academy system has failed. I agree. I don't think the players we have coming through are, on the whole, of the same quality Ken Barnes brought through at City & the same comparison exists at the rags, where Kiddo brought through players who piss on the current bunch.

There have been some changes in recent years & I'm led to believe both City & England have some good young kids. If there's a will to continue improving at grassroots level, then we may see the days return where it's possible to pick up a percentage of players from lower leagues.

You and quite a few on here would piss your sides if you knew my real surname mate!

[mr_nool]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

Indeed Burt Shrewsbury.

I dont think we will see windows like the last couple again. I think what we will see if more kids unearthed. be it from lower divisions or abroad, i dunno. But in answer to Op yes I do.

Never knew Burt's surname was Shrewsbury.


Listening to various radio & tv stuff, I recon there's a general opinion that the academy system has failed. I agree. I don't think the players we have coming through are, on the whole, of the same quality Ken Barnes brought through at City & the same comparison exists at the rags, where Kiddo brought through players who piss on the current bunch.

There have been some changes in recent years & I'm led to believe both City & England have some good young kids. If there's a will to continue improving at grassroots level, then we may see the days return where it's possible to pick up a percentage of players from lower leagues.

You and quite a few on here would piss your sides if you knew my real surname mate!

Bacharach?

[Beeks]

Only about 4 years ago we got Joe Hart from the 3rd division didn't we?

Indeed Burt Shrewsbury.

I dont think we will see windows like the last couple again. I think what we will see if more kids unearthed. be it from lower divisions or abroad, i dunno. But in answer to Op yes I do.

Never knew Burt's surname was Shrewsbury.


Listening to various radio & tv stuff, I recon there's a general opinion that the academy system has failed. I agree. I don't think the players we have coming through are, on the whole, of the same quality Ken Barnes brought through at City & the same comparison exists at the rags, where Kiddo brought through players who piss on the current bunch.

There have been some changes in recent years & I'm led to believe both City & England have some good young kids. If there's a will to continue improving at grassroots level, then we may see the days return where it's possible to pick up a percentage of players from lower leagues.

You and quite a few on here would piss your sides if you knew my real surname mate!

Bacharach?

Andernie?

[Dubciteh]

Beckford is about to jump two leagues at everton and he started at non league, its a great achivement for him and just shows you!

[Ted Hughes]

Beckford is about to jump two leagues at everton and he started at non league, its a great achivement for him and just shows you!

Depends what he does when he gets there mate. Remember DJ Campbell?