eddiebailey
Well-Known Member
- Oct 12, 2004
- 7,453
- 6,682
Last season we arguably failed to qualify for the Champions League because we were distracted by playing in the Champions League; this season we do not have that distraction and, being able to concentrate on the Premier League, will hopefully qualify. There is some danger of this becoming cyclical if we do not strengthen sufficiently to be able to compete in both competitions.
What our Europa Cup campaign this season has demonstrated is that the we do not have the strength in depth to rest players and still compete at the highest level in Europe.
The problem is not that of quality: our first and second XIs (with one notable exception) are of the required standard. It is one of depth. Outside of the first and second XIs the only outfield players are Bassong, Livermore, Gio (and Jenas, Bentley, Khumalo and Dawkins out on loan) and various youngsters under the age of 21. Which is to say there is a big drop off in quality outside of the first and second XIs.
Next season it is likely that all the players in our first and second XIs will all be over 21 (Walker and Rose are currently under). This means that under the 25 man rule there is very little scope for strengthening the depth of the squad by bringing in additional players. Yes, we could replace Pav and Bassong with more reliable players, and upgrade on Livermore if he does not progress, but other than that for strength in depth we will be relying on lads under 21 years of age. (At this stage I see no room in the 25 for Gio, for Falque, who will then be over 21, or for the four senior players currently on loan; they would effectively have to displace one of our current squad and that does not seem likely.)
We could bring in further lads under 21 to play in the Premiership, but they would not be eligible for the European B list, as has been the problem this season with Bostock, Ceballos, Luongo and Coulibaly (though Bostock should be eligible next season).
So we need three or four homegrown players under the age 21 who are capable of playing in the Premiership and the Champions’ League. At the moment we have no-one quite of that standard. The good news is that next season all our home-grown kids will still be under 21 and they will have another season under their belt.
The best bets are Caulker, Carroll and Townsend. Mason and Smith will both be under 21 for another year and could also still make the cut (Obika in the same position looks less likely). Bostock, Parrett, Kane, Byrne, Nicholson, Fredericks et all look a way off, but they will still be eligible the following season, so we can work on bringing them through. We need that sort of production line.
The point is that the Academy is not about bringing through the next superstar, it is about producing players who can “swell a progress, start a scene or two”. Arsenal and United understand this; they introduce a lot of young players into their senior side, but most after a few seasons end up playing outside of the top six (and by their sale bring in some useful transfer revenue).
So if you are concerned that a Carroll or Townsend will not ever be good enough to displace anyone in our first team, don’t be. They question you should be asking is, in a season or so, will they be able to do a job for us: to play in the domestic cups, to cover an injury or to allow us to rest a player?
If any of these home-grown youngsters turns out to be another Glen Hoddle or Ledley King, that really is a bonus.
What our Europa Cup campaign this season has demonstrated is that the we do not have the strength in depth to rest players and still compete at the highest level in Europe.
The problem is not that of quality: our first and second XIs (with one notable exception) are of the required standard. It is one of depth. Outside of the first and second XIs the only outfield players are Bassong, Livermore, Gio (and Jenas, Bentley, Khumalo and Dawkins out on loan) and various youngsters under the age of 21. Which is to say there is a big drop off in quality outside of the first and second XIs.
Next season it is likely that all the players in our first and second XIs will all be over 21 (Walker and Rose are currently under). This means that under the 25 man rule there is very little scope for strengthening the depth of the squad by bringing in additional players. Yes, we could replace Pav and Bassong with more reliable players, and upgrade on Livermore if he does not progress, but other than that for strength in depth we will be relying on lads under 21 years of age. (At this stage I see no room in the 25 for Gio, for Falque, who will then be over 21, or for the four senior players currently on loan; they would effectively have to displace one of our current squad and that does not seem likely.)
We could bring in further lads under 21 to play in the Premiership, but they would not be eligible for the European B list, as has been the problem this season with Bostock, Ceballos, Luongo and Coulibaly (though Bostock should be eligible next season).
So we need three or four homegrown players under the age 21 who are capable of playing in the Premiership and the Champions’ League. At the moment we have no-one quite of that standard. The good news is that next season all our home-grown kids will still be under 21 and they will have another season under their belt.
The best bets are Caulker, Carroll and Townsend. Mason and Smith will both be under 21 for another year and could also still make the cut (Obika in the same position looks less likely). Bostock, Parrett, Kane, Byrne, Nicholson, Fredericks et all look a way off, but they will still be eligible the following season, so we can work on bringing them through. We need that sort of production line.
The point is that the Academy is not about bringing through the next superstar, it is about producing players who can “swell a progress, start a scene or two”. Arsenal and United understand this; they introduce a lot of young players into their senior side, but most after a few seasons end up playing outside of the top six (and by their sale bring in some useful transfer revenue).
So if you are concerned that a Carroll or Townsend will not ever be good enough to displace anyone in our first team, don’t be. They question you should be asking is, in a season or so, will they be able to do a job for us: to play in the domestic cups, to cover an injury or to allow us to rest a player?
If any of these home-grown youngsters turns out to be another Glen Hoddle or Ledley King, that really is a bonus.
