Rating vs Real Madrid (a)

[Bus-Conductor]

But that is my point, the reason most of the youth players don't let us down when they play is because there must be a point where Poch deems they have the mental fortitude to translate the ability they have shown in training and in youth games and tournaments, to our first team. .

But for that argument to be watertight, every kid would have had to be introduced as part of some grand scientific chronological plan, and I'm sure even you don't believe that. Serendipity and luck plays it's part. As does the managers aversion to risk. An aversion I can understand some of, but not all of.

Winks had already played in League and CL games early last season and proved he was OK, why did he not get another league start for about 4 months ? Grand plan ?

Look at KWP, there is no way Poch would have played him at Newcastle if he had another option. Was that the grand plan ? Brilliant judgement ? No, just damn good luck for KWP. He plays really well, and then what ? We go and spend 24m on another international RB. Another season of very few minutes for KWP looks quite likely. Despite him proving he is ready for more than that.

Pritchard is another great example, he'd proven over two seasons that he was worth some time, he'd been one of the best players over the course of a whole season for a team at the top end of the championship. What happens when he gets fit? He gets sent to Wbrom on loan. Despite us having no real alternative to Eriksen.

You can't use the "they succeed because of Poch holding them back" argument unilaterally, because there is plenty of evidence there to contradict it. It may be true in some cases, but not all, and that's all I am saying.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

But for that argument to be watertight, every kid would have had to be introduced as part of some grand scientific chronological plan, and I'm sure even you don't believe that. Serendipity and luck plays it's part. As does the managers aversion to risk. An aversion I can understand some of, but not all of.

Winks had already played in League and CL games early last season and proved he was OK, why did he not get another league start for about 4 months ? Grand plan ?

Look at KWP, there is no way Poch would have played him at Newcastle if he had another option. Was that the grand plan ? Brilliant judgement ? No, just damn good luck for KWP. He plays really well, and then what ? We go and spend 24m on another international RB. Another season of very few minutes for KWP looks quite likely. Despite him proving he is ready for more than that.

Pritchard is another great example, he'd proven over two seasons that he was worth some time, he'd been one of the best players over the course of a whole season for a team at the top end of the championship. What happens when he gets fit? He gets sent to Wbrom on loan. Despite us having no real alternative to Eriksen.

You can't use the "they succeed because of Poch holding them back" argument unilaterally, because there is plenty of evidence there to contradict it. It may be true in some cases, but not all, and that's all I am saying.

I'm not denying that luck has a part to play for all young players. But this is more to do with the young player actually making the most of a lucky opportunity when it is presented to them. Although for them to even be in contention i'm sure there is a process where Poch will see how they work in training, how they interact with the other players, how they compete and show their personality in sessions, how open they are to learning and taking on new ideas, how they react to travelling to away matches as the 17th man etc..etc... and if this is all positive then he will try and hand them chances. If there are doubts with any of these factors then maybe Poch and the coaches work to show the young player the right path. If they don't improve, then they end up like Pritchard and never get an opportunity despite some obvious talent.

My point is, and remains, there are so many factors behind the scenes that inform Poch's decisions on young players. Simply stamping your feet and saying "i've watched young player X perform in the development side for years...Poch is short sighted for not playing him" is a fallacy as you're not in possession of all of the facts.

Poch constantly talks about how much he believes teams have a responsibility to have a core of academy players in the first team squad. This opinion being formed by his experience as a young player winning the title with Newell Old Boys back in his native Argentina with a nucleus of academy graduates. So I don't worry too much about him ignoring our academy prospects. I can certainly see a much clearer path way for young players than I have ever before and I started supporting the team in the early 90's.