If we maintain our Premier League status it’s perhaps unlikely these players will get a look in but if we are relegated you’d think they and others might.

It is perhaps the silver lining of relegation that the enterprising youth endeavour might bear fruit.

Certainly it’s what made us great, can it rekindle us in the next decade?

I’d like to think so.

But it does require patience and encouragement, two things often in short supply in the race to get back to the top table.

Will the club, it’s owners or manager have the patience to enable this transition to home grown players to prosper.

The top clubs get the cream of the age group kids and when a club like ours produces a star they pinch them for peanuts. As has been happening our kids get sold off to lower league clubs or let go for free.
I would love to see a return to home grown players coming through but it will only happen if we end up lower championship. So no thanks from me.

Never seen them play apart from an hour or so for Richardson and Mancini at Blackpool last July. So no idea of what they can do.

We would probably be very financially bereft, if they made up our squad/team.

You need a manager who is willing to give them game time, if only for a few minutes at the end of a game.

If I'm reading the room correctly, that's what the board want in a manager. Someone to develop a conveyor belt of players for the 1st team or sell on at a profit. It's the way we always used to do it and is the only way we as a club can grow. That and a style of play that makes us attractive to watch and will increase our fan base.

That's why I think some of the names being banded around as a potential new manager are non starters.

You need a manager who is willing to give them game time, if only for a few minutes at the end of a game.

If I'm reading the room correctly, that's what the board want in a manager. Someone to develop a conveyor belt of players for the 1st team or sell on at a profit. It's the way we always used to do it and is the only way we as a club can grow. That and a style of play that makes us attractive to watch and will increase our fan base.

That's why I think some of the names being banded around as a potential new manager are non starters.

Some terrible negativity on here. Surely we want young players to come through, or is Premier League success the only criteria we now have.
Developing a young side capable of promotion has to be one of the options we think about.

Haven't seen any of them, but Thomas has seemingly impressed in the cup ties, so he's certainly one I'd expect to be pushing for a starting berth next season, especially if we're playing in the Championship.

Richardson was getting rave reviews prior to sustaining his long term injury, and he might be one who can also force his way up the pecking order.

Helm seems to be touted by some of the more knowledgeable posters on here, and we have been hoping for a creative midfield option.

The others I can't comment on, but we do need to try and get some talent coming through Barnfield, otherwise questions will rightly be asked is all the investment worth it.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:47 pm

Haven't seen any of them, but Thomas has seemingly impressed in the cup ties, so he's certainly one I'd expect to be pushing for a starting berth next season, especially if we're playing in the Championship.

Richardson was getting rave reviews prior to sustaining his long term injury, and he might be one who can also force his way up the pecking order.

Helm seems to be touted by some of the more knowledgeable posters on here, and we have been hoping for a creative midfield option.

The others I can't comment on, but we do need to try and get some talent coming through Barnfield, otherwise questions will rightly be asked is all the investment worth it.

The investment is always going to take years to bring about a consistent pathway. Tony and others have been really clear about the stress the youth system has been under and how close it came to folding. That takes time to reverse and build up.

Agreed, could be the silver lining to relegation and financially tightening our belts.

Phillips has been outstanding across two loan spells under Derek Adams and personally I felt he'd have been ideal under Dyche in the Championship if he chose to return to the 4411 formation he used during our 7th placed finish season - Phillips has all the pressing qualities of Hendrick in the #10 role with much more end product. If whoever we bring in doesn't use a #10 I'm not sure I see a place for him.

Bedeau is another that's been brilliant out on loan, a new manager that plays a back 3 could be the best chance he and the likes of Thomas have. Though if Ben leaves then Bedeau might get a chance if we get a manager who likes to keep possession as he's shown good ability on the ball with the Shrimps. Hope we don't end up forcing him out, good left footed CBs aren't easy to come by.

Mancini has missed most of the season with injury, looks like he still trains with the first team on occasion but has been benched by Helm and Woods in the U23s, though that could just be a fitness thing or loyalty to the players who have the side on a winning run.

I like Helm in and around the halfway line, he has good close control and balance but have concerns with his end product. Quite often seems play a poor final ball or wasteful shot when he gets near the box.

Richardson seems to be injured again which is quite a concerning regular occurence. Hopefully he gets past it, his best chance will be a new manager that plays a front 2 as he's not really of the build to be a lone frontman unless it's in a team that really dominates possession.

And on top of all those we have Dodgson, Mellon, Costelloe, Tucker and Woods. I'm hopeful at least a couple would step up if we're in the Championship next season.

Blakesboots wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:57 pm

The investment is always going to take years to bring about a consistent pathway. Tony and others have been really clear about the stress the youth system has been under and how close it came to folding. That takes time to reverse and build up.

Yes I totally understand that, however if costs have to be cut, then things like the youth set-up will almost certainly suffer, and sadly the owners may choose to take the short term view rather than exercise patience, it's not a decision I would take, but I can see why they might if funds are squeezed.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:02 pm

Yes I totally understand that, however if costs have to be cut, then things like the youth set-up will almost certainly suffer, and sadly the owners may choose to take the short term view rather than exercise patience, it's not a decision I would take, but I can see why they might if funds are squeezed.

I cannot ever envisage the academy being cut under the current owners.

After nearly 10 years of Dyche I still find it hard to even envisage young players getting a chance.

claretandbluesky wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:17 pm

Some terrible negativity on here. Surely we want young players to come through, or is Premier League success the only criteria we now have.
Developing a young side capable of promotion has to be one of the options we think about.

Yes but only if they are good enough for the level we are playing at. If we were relegated to League One they would have even more chance of a game but I don't think it's a viable option.

SkiptonClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:35 pm

After nearly 10 years of Dyche I still find it hard to even envisage young players getting a chance.

Some of them got.played last season early doors.

You have to be able to contribute to the Premier League. You are playing against World stars. We need every professional to play a big part. Not sure our young ones are up to anything like that.

Indeed that was the point made but if we get relegated it opens up a totally different world where some of our young players might come into the reckoning.

If that doesn’t happen because we can’t afford to try young players well the enterprise is doomed.

We have become far too risk averse and in doing so lost something of the spirit of the club.

SkiptonClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:35 pm

After nearly 10 years of Dyche I still find it hard to even envisage young players getting a chance.

You are certainly consistent - you condemned the appointment of Dyche in 2012 and you are still having a go.

As for the names on the thread title - Thomas, Helm & Richardson have impressed me but not consistently, I do believe Richardson would have featured this season but for the injury. Not seen much of Mancini and not seen anything in those appearances to suggest he's going to step up any time soon. As for Phillips, he's been in and out at Morecambe this season as he was in the second half of last season at Accrington.

Are you looking at it from a Premier League perspective or coming on as subs in the Championship Claret Tony. There is a world of difference.

Phillips Played 36, 6 Goals, 8 assists.

Not a bad season for a midfield player in a struggling side.

claretandbluesky wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:15 pm

Phillips Played 36, 6 Goals, 8 assists.

Not a bad season for a midfield player in a struggling side.

Of those 36, 11 have been coming on as a sub. And he is 24 now.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:18 pm

Of those 36, 11 have been coming on as a sub. And he is 24 now.

Morecambe fans will tell you he was misused and underused by Steve Robinson. Since the return of Adams he's been absolutely key to their upturn in form which looks like it may save them from relegation (along with Bedeau).

Mancini i think is OOC but we paid a small fee for him after the ‘loan’ so we may have an option.

Bedeau looks one to add to the list.
Certainly if we are relegated, pre season will become very interesting as hopefully some of these players start fighting for a place

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:18 pm

Of those 36, 11 have been coming on as a sub. And he is 24 now.

Doesn't hat only serve to make the goals and assists stats better?