Ted Hughes wrote:I think what we have on that list is the cream of the initial 'new' academy players over recent years. You could add maybe Cole possibly Rekik & tbh I was impressed by the cameo of George Evans.
I think we will see a similar thing happen next, where perhaps some of the next age group are not quite so good, but mix with the younger ones from this group and go to EDS, whilst some of the younger ones below them get promoted & we possibly have a slight lull, then start to find another exciting 11 at u18s a year or so down the line.
What I will find most interesting, is when the first of the kids who have been coached in this manner from being small, post takeover, all start to reach the u18 age. Then I think we will see another leap in football style. We are seeing the 14s batter everybody each generation.
It's going to get even more interesting I think.
This kind of mirrors what I thought I was saying to you earlier. When you look at the list of top quality youngsters there, you kind of hope for the floodgates to open and we would see 4 or 5 of them slot in. I certainly hoped to see something radical happen this summer. But having watched the academy games recently I am starting to realise that this is not going to happen. It will start with a trickle and I think you are right in that the real sea change in our style is a little further down the road. It will require the majority of our squad having being groomed in the New City way.
No reflection on the talent listed above, but I just don't think our first team could play the style of football these youngsters are being taught.
I agree it is going to get interesting but it may take a little more patience on our behalf.
This summer's dealings will definitely be interesting.