ron obvious 1,711 Posted January 18, 2019 Enthusiastic piece about them from Sky. Nothing we didn't know, mind: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11709/11609912/jamal-lewis-and-max-aarons-norwich-citys-flying-young-full-backs I don't see any reason why they can't make the step up to the Premier League. From working under Daniel Farke they will be very tactically aware and they will have good knowledge of their positions. It is not about age, it is about how good you are. Coaches need full-backs to stretch the play and it is a huge pat on the back to Norwich and their youth set-up that these two have developed the way they have, because they look so comfortable already. Norwich will be desperate to keep them because they are so good and unusual for their age, but they will be hugely in demand. Even top-six Premier League sides will be watching them soon, if they aren't already. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 5,971 Posted January 18, 2019 Good article. Sounds like we’re going to need a succession plan. *If* we go up we might hang on to them for another season, but if not... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bethnal Yellow and Green 2,424 Posted January 18, 2019 They represent £30m worth of talent. If they go Norwich will have some budget to replace them. Replacing their home grown status will be more challenging. Farke and Webber are yet to sign a home grown player who has really contributed to the team consistently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king canary 8,758 Posted January 18, 2019 Of the three youngsters who have come through lately I think Aarons has the potential to go all the way to the top- replacing him won't be easy at all. Bethnal- I assume you're not counting loans in that as I think Gunn contributed hugely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canarydan23 4,762 Posted January 18, 2019 Krul's technically home grown as well, he's made a consistent contribution. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bethnal Yellow and Green 2,424 Posted January 18, 2019 (edited) Yes. I did overlook goalkeepers by mistake. However, I think the point still stands that there has been a problem with outfield home grown players, with Grant Hanley probably the most successful signing of that nature so far. Whether it is a scouting or a coaching issue isn’t clear (a mixture of both probably), but it is something that will need to improve if the club don’t get promoted as the homegrown rules in the Championship are only going to get stricter. Edited January 18, 2019 by Bethnal Yellow and Green 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feedthewolf 5,885 Posted January 18, 2019 Hopefully the fruits of Cat 1 Academy status will mean that more of our homegrown contingent come through the academy. Idah will count as homegrown next season, so he might be a natural replacement for Rhodes if we remain in this division. And if we're in the Prem, we'll be able to loosen the purse strings a little. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
canarydan23 4,762 Posted January 18, 2019 I think price is the biggest issue. If players like Buendia or any of the Germany-sourced players were plying their trade in the second and third tiers of English football, with homegrown status, then we'd have probably had to buy 3 or 4 times more. I'd actually say it's a feather in the cap of our scouting team, as they are able to cast the net further afield and recruit suitable players for a fraction of the cost than if we'd have shopped in England. It's one of the main reasons why Farke and the club have achieved the ridiculously impressive feat of slashing the wage bill, running a transfer surplus and markedly improved things on the pitch. I'm sure there are examples of this, but I can't think of any off the top of my head. Lower wages, transfer surplus and the team goes from mid-table also rans turning out dire performances to genuine contenders for automatic promotion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woodman 92 Posted January 18, 2019 10 Homegrown: Krul, Oxborough, Aarons, Hanley, Godfrey, Lewis, Thompson, Cantwell, Rhodes and Morris. 7 needed in an 18 man squad, 1 of which needs to be 'club-produced' (of which we have at least 3). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bethnal Yellow and Green 2,424 Posted January 18, 2019 36 minutes ago, Woodman said: 10 Homegrown: Krul, Oxborough, Aarons, Hanley, Godfrey, Lewis, Thompson, Cantwell, Rhodes and Morris. 7 needed in an 18 man squad, 1 of which needs to be 'club-produced' (of which we have at least 3). It is certainly a slim list. Especially as Oxborough and Morris probably can’t be considered as being players who’ll have an impact on the first team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Il Pirata 249 Posted January 18, 2019 Fantastic talents. A huge contribution to our success this season, and hugely missed through injury recently. To say that about two under 20 year olds is quite incredible. They epitomise the modern fullback, full of pace and attacking panache. However, unlike most modern fullbacks, they defend brilliantly too. They're simply a joy to watch. The run by Aarons in he second half a prime example. Add in Godfrey, and I think there's potentially forty million pounds worth of talent. Unimaginable 6 moths ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
