McEvoy as left-back...

[Dharmabum]

Ok, before any of you jump onto your key boards with your sharpened "knives"...no, I know he's not ready for EPL yet; and particularly not as a LB.
I meant they should play him there for the academy teams to harden him up.
The 2 most exciting wide British players now both started as LB; namely Bale and Towsend (well, he was also used a lot as LMF I know). I think part of their success now is due them having being hardened up as defenders, which must have affected their attitude to the game.
Many flair players never make it as they seem to believe in their own hype and forget that flair players also need to put up with hard work, in every game.
Many a top creative player started out doing the "dirty" work; fex, Lothar Mattheus started out as FB, as did Paul Breitner; while Der Kaiser was a DMF before turning into a libero.
Which is why I would like to see McEvoy hardened up by playing him LB. Who know, he may turn into a top FB...
Though I of course do care about the results of the academy teams to me the measure rod of the Academy's set up is how many players that make it to the 1st team. I'd much rather have a loosy academy team that spurns out a Bale or King or a stop striker once in a while than one that win titles but doesn't create any top 1st team players. Both would of course be the best

 

[mpickard2087]

I agree with this, long term planning is needed.

Looking at how the first team play, the wide players coming through the academy should spend time playing both in the inverted winger position, and at fullback. If they are a threat coming inside then persist with them further up the pitch but If they can burn it down the outside but are not as adept at cutting inside, then you can concentrate them on fullback position instead, with a bit of luck they may become a half-decent attacking fullback, which is a rare sight in football.

Long-term thinking is required.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Why McEvoy? Because he looks a bit like Bale and Bale started at LB?

 

[DEFchenkOE]

He's right footed, why would he play left back when he's a right winger?