100 mil for Nasri, Kolarov, Dzeko, Yaya and Jovetic

[Ted Hughes]

I don't quite buy into the idea that it's this hugely horrific risk that could damage the club catastrophically if we put an EDS player on the bench each game and bring them on when we're cruising 3-0 with half hour left at home. Or playing one or two amongst several senior players against a league one club in the cups or sumat. Rubbish. It'd be fine and it's just cowardice and self preservation.

Spot on chum.

I'd add to that by thinking a couple of them could slot into the first team. Not at the same time but any one of Denayer, Barker, Angelino or Cole even could have comfortably played three or four games each from the start this season with absolutely no detriment to results gained so far.

Next season is a huge one as far as the Academy goes for me. We need a couple to breakthrough or questions will be asked by fans, the board in all likelihood and academy players themselves alike. This is a great opportunity for us, make no mistake. We want to be seen as a club that will give a player a chance. The likes of Sterling may otherwise think twice about coming to us. Or more importantly, the cream of world football aged 15/16.

Just a few minutes here and there, plus the occasional cup game, will get them started. If they don't set the world alight it still isn't likely to cost us anything, but one or two may settle quickly; then suddenly we have a bigger & better squad. The ones who freeze or don't do anything special after a few chances, can be put on the back burner or even sent out on loan.

If we try these kids as subs occasionally, it's very likely one or two will do nothing much but also very likely one or two will take to it & feel ok at first team level.

I think Pozo was probably about 8th or 10th in the list of players who should have been promoted on performances this season, not first.

[lets all have a disco]

I still stand by what i said earlier i would let all of them go,they have taken the piss this season with their performances and IMO it's time to move on Nasri does get the least amount of grief but still if someone offered 15-18 millions.

[PrezIke]

I don't quite buy into the idea that it's this hugely horrific risk that could damage the club catastrophically if we put an EDS player on the bench each game and bring them on when we're cruising 3-0 with half hour left at home. Or playing one or two amongst several senior players against a league one club in the cups or sumat. Rubbish. It'd be fine and it's just cowardice and self preservation.

I don't mean to suggest we cannot put and EDS player or fringe First Team/EDS player on the bench next year either, or cannot play one or two next season in some cup matches, but I would not expect it to be more than that.

I also believe we may have made some promises to many of the players we have as part of the "two players for every position" thing. It could also be related to FFP with an unused substitute fee cost, or if they are left off the team sheet fee (I believe those exist in some players' contracts).

Point being is there may be several reasons why we have not played too many EDS players, but again, I suspect next year some will get some time with the first team.

[twosips]

My point is that it hasn't happened this year when it should have, meaning that gradual introducing stage could be giving way to the first team integration stage potentially. We could have already found an extra squad player or two if we'd been bolder, potentially solving us millions this summer but we didn't so we haven't got a clue yet whether they'll be ready or not. We're still a year away cos, in my opinion, we bottled it on that front this year. The ridiculous cup competition teams being proof.