And it is especially hard on the skilful players as their personalities/mentalities/skillsets are the least able to make the necessary changes.
I find this thread interesting and puzzling in equal measures. The route to the first team squad is clear: do well in your age group and you will be promoted to train with the first team squad, if you prove you are up to that level you will get a chance.
Roles, Sterling, Skipp, KWP, TOB, Onomah et al will all have spent hours competing with tough, seasoned internationals on the training ground, the vast majority simply aren't up to it. You get the odd exception such as Dele who arrives and immediately proves he has what it takes. Its been the same for decades and will never change.
Totally agree, this has always been the way.
I played academy football a long time ago and the best prospects trained with the first team squad where the managers and the first team players would assess them.
I think the problem a lot of the fans have is not seeing the size of the gap between the two teams.
Firstly, there is the physical aspect. The size, strength, speed, and stamina of these guys is on another level. They are professional athletes first, footballers second.
Secondly, the mental aspect. Being the best in your year group to being the worst in the first team squad.
Having to work to improve parts of your game you don't want to. Skilful players are just that because that's what they believe football is all about. When they find out at mens level it isn't are they willing to change?
Small time mentality. These kids are local heroes which creates a Billy big balls mentality. They can stroll down a pub/club and everyone knows them. For many, that's enough. They can drop down to their local senior side or lower league side and still strut around without working hard.
I can't stress enough the gulf between youth and men's football and, as a result, being the best kid in your year group means nothing.
And it is especially hard on the skilful players as their personalities/mentalities/skillsets are the least able to make the necessary changes.
17 next monthI will be watching him. Live in the flesh so to speak again this evening mate if he's selected.. There may be something about him but he'd get bullied Imho throwing him in not just in the deep end but in the middle of the sea?.
Who was the last 16year old to make his first team. Debut at spurs... The youngest I can recall was Phil Ifill and he was nearly 18
Woopeedoo.. I'm on my way to Clinton cards.. I'll get one with one of those big badges confirming he's a big boy now?17 next month
I think Parrott is about a year off being seriously included
Isn't that the case with most, if not, all "top" clubs?
Is there any ambitious top club in the world which would not buy, say, a Iniesta, Paolo Maldini, Buffon, Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane etc etc in their "peak years" if they could afford them and fill up their teams with all the world stars in the world, on behalf of their academy players, for the sake of winning trophies?
PS! I am as keen as anyone on here to see Spurs' academy make the grade to the 1st team.
cirkin's first appearance at this level.
I find this thread interesting and puzzling in equal measures. The route to the first team squad is clear: do well in your age group and you will be promoted to train with the first team squad, if you prove you are up to that level you will get a chance.
Totally agree, this has always been the way.
I played academy football a long time ago and the best prospects trained with the first team squad where the managers and the first team players would assess them.
I think the problem a lot of the fans have is not seeing the size of the gap between the two teams.
Firstly, there is the physical aspect. The size, strength, speed, and stamina of these guys is on another level. They are professional athletes first, footballers second.
Secondly, the mental aspect. Being the best in your year group to being the worst in the first team squad.
Having to work to improve parts of your game you don't want to. Skilful players are just that because that's what they believe football is all about. When they find out at mens level it isn't are they willing to change?
Small time mentality. These kids are local heroes which creates a Billy big balls mentality. They can stroll down a pub/club and everyone knows them. For many, that's enough. They can drop down to their local senior side or lower league side and still strut around without working hard.
I can't stress enough the gulf between youth and men's football and, as a result, being the best kid in your year group means nothing.
And it is especially hard on the skilful players as their personalities/mentalities/skillsets are the least able to make the necessary changes.
Poch has said he prefers promoting youth to the first team and seeing if they are accepted by the senior team. If the youth players can adapt to the style and speed of play, if their teammates can rely on them to press and make a run when necessary,to make a pass or make themselves available to under pressure teammates then they will be accepted and they can play. The interview from Poch with Arlo White explains everything that we need to know. Ability and hard work will get them to training with the first team. But once there they have to earn the right to play by being part of the team. This is quite possibly why Edwards and Onomah haven't made that final step yet. They perhaps have that perception of low work rate and teammates feel they can't be relied on when backs are to the wall.
We hear how popular Sissoko is with the squad. I would hazard a guess that he's proved himself to have an iron mentality going through all the criticism and poor performances, the players know he will never give up. Our youth players need to show that same mentality
Is it 4231 do we think?