Hump

I totally agree with you.comments about 5 year contracts for certain players when their are IMO better young players at the club seem to smell of manipulation. How do these people know so many confidential facts unless they are deliberately released by the club or agents. Anyone who has watched recent reserve games would notice that some of the better players never get a mention, it is all about self promotion so believe nothing!

If you have a look on the FONCY website you may be surprised to see that most of the youth team are not local boys so the Academy must be doing some good things to locate players from outside the region and attract them from London clubs. People say there is little opportunity for the Youth but at present I do not believe any of the boys are ready for 1st team action. Where the problem is that we do not because of the structure of the Academy system keep the boys on a 1/2 year professional contract when there scholarship is finished.This could be done at a nominal cost and this is where the club and the manager are shortsighted. Not all are the finised article at 16/17 like Rooney and need that extra time. If we had patience these players could be introduced at 19/20 rather than becoming rejected disillushioned and sent to the Conference where it is similar to asking Constable to paint your garden shed. What cost to have offerd Crow £200 a week on a 2 year deal    

Quite alot of clubs at this time of the year seem to discard or offer their promising young players pro contracts-anybody out there know what we are doing or will some more like Crow just fly away.   

In reply to the Academy being rubbish I assume this statement is made based on some factual evidence from Dennis the Menance, I assume he is a regular spectator home and away of both the reserves and youth team or is he another ill informed supporter jumping on an already overloaded bandwagon. Base your comments on facts that you see. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA    

Any feedback-did we deserve to lose? 

The effect of not having a stepping stone from Academy to Good Reserve Team football will have a massive impact on next years youth team players.The premier league IMO are concerned with keeping sides from outside the premiership at arms length.I thought they are supposed to be concerned about developement of young players.The scholars at Norwich see it as the next step in their developement to be on the pitch against top players.It gives them confidence for the future and they are able to see at close quarters what it will take to become a professional. Ultimately  this will drive young players away from Norwich and other Champioship sides. It is a shame that the Premier League do not monitor the standard of some of their so called academies at premiership sides-If you are good enough to play in the Premier academy league you are good enough to play in the Premier Reserve League, at least Norwich get good support and play on a proper ground unlike Arsenal and Chelsea.   Maybe the Premier boys got upset with Ipswich Youth winning the cup last year- The Premier League should look at reducing young foreign players at Academy level so the home grown talent gets more chance.            

For your information the game against Ipswich was just before the Youth cup game versus Chelsea that the boys lost 2-1 in extra time( against the multi million £ club), The side versus Ipswich was made up mainly of Easton College boys and 1st teamers no youth team boys. If you check the latest results you will find the youth team beat Ipswich youth 1-0 two weeks ago. Dont be disturbed get to Colney and watch the youth that is coming through    

There are even more players in the youth team potentially better than the ones you mention.,the youth team could give te 1st team a decent game what do you reckon the score would be?  

Sorry I forgot, young and talented can play football all the wrong criterea for a place in the side.

Having watched the game I cannot say enough good things about the attitude and behavior of Shacks on the pitch. His play was inspirational  and the way he looked after the youngsters and his encouragement was superb.His desire to win was there for all to see and the young man was a credit to the club-the next captain without doubt   

Agree 100% about the young lad Bexfield seen him in a couple of reserve team games and looks very confident when he comes on normally in mid field. Lets hope a few 1st teamers were watching and copy his example this week . Hope the referee enjoys his night out at Stamford Bridge on the next  big European night, typical official sucking up to the big boys