Next season the Year of the Academy?

[Canary Poirot 1]

Now I know everyone is getting a little inpatient with the lack of signings made so far this summer, but we all have to ask ourselves - what was it we were all whinging about at the end of last season? The fact that our youngsters / academy players never get a chance in the first team.

Now call me an old cynic, but have any of you noticed the trend in the recent stories coming out of Carrow Road? Almost every story or interview is about one of our former academy players / newly signed pros. We''ve had Shackell and his new 2 year extension, Jarvis today about his teaming up with Hunter - the old England U19 coach, Joe Lewis talking about going out on loan, Spillane signing a new 3 year contract. And during this whole time, not one senior player has had an interview (or not that I remember). It just strikes me that the club are getting us ready for these guys to play a far bigger role in our team next season. And for these guys to do this, it means we can''t be buying anyone (or many new players), because every new player blocks the route to the first team for a youngster.

Elsewhere on this forum Fat Barman said,

 "Incidentally, I was told that the club are targetting the positions of left-back, right-midfield and striker, as areas to try and bring in stronger players. No names, just that all resources are aimed at these three positions. There was some indication that the club see the young players recently signed on pro terms, as ''new'' acquisitions for the first team - with Worthy set to give them more involvement this year, something he was criticised for not doing last season."

And I think that that is spot on. Don''t expect many new players. Hope our academy has produced some gems, and that the Jarvis brothers come good.

[silver fox 0]

Unfortunately giving academy players a contract and actually playing them regularly doesn''t happen too often under the current manager.  Just look how long it took for Shackell to get a regular game, despite the supporters crying out for him to be given a chance.  I hope I am wrong but I''m sure it will be the same old mix of experienced senior pros in the starting line up come the away game at Leeds.

[rich 0]

It would be a nice theory, but I don''t think worthington has the chance to blend a new team, it really is this season or nothing for him. He needs to hit the ground running with results, I think these players will be developing under HUnter and then he might be the one to bring them to the first team when he takes over, but on a gradual basis, we can''t just depend on all the youngsters to suddenly come great all at the same time. BY all means give some a chance but they need some help and we need some help in that transfer market.