Adkins and his love of youth

[Cypry]

I wonder if this is going to be the new reason we don't spend any money in the summer... give the youth players a chance.

As much as I do actually want to see our highly rated academy players come through, I still think this could be an excuse..

On the other hand, how many academy players did McDermott bring into his first team?
Long, Siggy, Pearce, Karacan, HRK etc were all "blooded" prior to McD, but in the three years since that he was in charge very few new academy players have been given much of a chance aside from perhaps McCarthy. Obita and Samuel have both had very brief cameos, but that's about it as far as I can remember...

There's really not much point in having an academy if the players aren't given a chance to make the first team, hopefully Adkins will take the cream o the current crop and be able to repeat what he did at Southmpton...

[winchester_royal]

Plus when you're spending >2m a year on the academy I'm not sure it can be termed an 'excuse' for not spending money. I imagine we'll be looking to blend sensible investment with a couple of youth players. And that's how it should be.

[Wipped]

i think it is very likely we'll see two or three youngsters in the squad next season. big summer ahead for the likes of samuel, obita, tshibola, ikpeazu..

[St. Brynjar]

I think this year is make or break for Taylor, D'ath, Obita and maybe Hector.

[P!ssed Off]

I think this year is make or break for Taylor, D'ath, Obita and maybe Hector.

Maybe D'ath, certainly Taylor.
Not for Obita or Hector though. Obita's still only 19 and Hector came in to the game quite late so naturally might not progress by the standard age.

[Snowball]

Taylor-Crossdale is one that I saw against United and at times he looked like he could destroy them all by himself and other times he looked like he'd never seen a football in his life. Sounds familiar.

Kebe's love child?

[ZacNaloen]

Hector is playing in a play off final tonight, the game is on Sky sports xtra/Sky sports 1 Red button.

[creative_username_1]

I don't know anyone of this board....Is this Silver Fox?

[YateleyRoyal]

I wonder if this is going to be the new reason we don't spend any money in the summer... give the youth players a chance.

As much as I do actually want to see our highly rated academy players come through, I still think this could be an excuse..

On the other hand, how many academy players did McDermott bring into his first team?
Long, Siggy, Pearce, Karacan, HRK etc were all "blooded" prior to McD, but in the three years since that he was in charge very few new academy players have been given much of a chance aside from perhaps McCarthy. Obita and Samuel have both had very brief cameos, but that's about it as far as I can remember...

There's really not much point in having an academy if the players aren't given a chance to make the first team, hopefully Adkins will take the cream o the current crop and be able to repeat what he did at Southmpton...

Erm...about Long. McDermott took over in December 2009, when Long had already played over 100 games in the first team. Hardly blooding him.

[Hertfordshire Royal]

I wonder if this is going to be the new reason we don't spend any money in the summer... give the youth players a chance.

As much as I do actually want to see our highly rated academy players come through, I still think this could be an excuse..

On the other hand, how many academy players did McDermott bring into his first team?
Long, Siggy, Pearce, Karacan, HRK etc were all "blooded" prior to McD, but in the three years since that he was in charge very few new academy players have been given much of a chance aside from perhaps McCarthy. Obita and Samuel have both had very brief cameos, but that's about it as far as I can remember...

There's really not much point in having an academy if the players aren't given a chance to make the first team, hopefully Adkins will take the cream o the current crop and be able to repeat what he did at Southmpton...

Erm...about Long. McDermott took over in December 2009, when Long had already played over 100 games in the first team. Hardly blooding him.

Read the rest of the sentence...

[ZacNaloen]

On the other hand, how many academy players did McDermott bring into his first team?
Long, Siggy, Pearce, Karacan, HRK etc were all "blooded" prior to McD, but in the three years since that he was in charge very few new academy players have been given much of a chance aside from perhaps McCarthy. Obita and Samuel have both had very brief cameos, but that's about it as far as I can remember...

There's really not much point in having an academy if the players aren't given a chance to make the first team, hopefully Adkins will take the cream o the current crop and be able to repeat what he did at Southmpton...

D'ath had about 3 minutes in a cup game...

I do think someone of Mcdermotts conservative personally isn't exactly conductive to giving young untested youth a try. Or we may have gone through a bit of a dry spell with some note quite good enough youth products.

My personal opinion though is that you'll never know if a player you aren't quite sure on is good enough if you don't give him a chance in your team. There can be all sorts of reasons why a loan doesn't go well.

[YateleyRoyal]

On the other hand, how many academy players did McDermott bring into his first team?
Long, Siggy, Pearce, Karacan, HRK etc were all "blooded" prior to McD, but in the three years since that he was in charge very few new academy players have been given much of a chance aside from perhaps McCarthy. Obita and Samuel have both had very brief cameos, but that's about it as far as I can remember...

There's really not much point in having an academy if the players aren't given a chance to make the first team, hopefully Adkins will take the cream o the current crop and be able to repeat what he did at Southmpton...

Erm...about Long. McDermott took over in December 2009, when Long had already played over 100 games in the first team. Hardly blooding him.

Read the rest of the sentence...

Apols.

[creative_username_1]

tbf to McD i don't think there was ever a spell in his time at Reading when we weren't closing in on play-offs/auto/title/avoiding relegation. Not
exactly ideal times to blood young players.

Someone will no doubt point out a manager that has and was successful, i'll counter with another case where it didn't (or vice versa) we'll then
agree randomness plays a major part in every aspect of our life and that we are not really in control....i'll get the pints in!

[RoyalX]

I forgot that both Coppell and McDermott flat out refused to play youth players. I look forward to Adkins joining this bracket when he discovers that we don't have Oxlade-Chamberlain or Lallana and doesn't field an entire XI aged 21 or under.

[maffff]

Talking of Hector. Played every minute at Cheltenham since signing on loan until last night when he went off with (suspected?) cracked ribs.

[maffff]

If by this time next year we don't emulate Crewe and field a full team of academy graduates Adkins surely has to go.

[lolwut]

If by this time next year we don't emulate Crewe and field a full team of academy graduates Adkins surely has to go.

+1.
I'd like to see 4/5 academy players vs City to show progress.
Going to take an 'Adkins Out' banner just in case this doesn't happen.

[winchester_royal]

Academy 2-0 up away at Chelsea

[ZacNaloen]

We're gonna win the league, etc etc

I think we need to score 6 to get above Fulham for the easy route to the final...

[urz13]

Now 3-0, Tanner with a brace