roadrunner It isn't the best academy but it's certainly more fruitful to it's first team than any other I can think of at the moment. How many other clubs have as many academy graduates in their first team line-up and squad as we do currently?
The thing is with the Reading academy, yes, this last season a few academy players have stepped up to the first team, but are they actually any good?
For instance - Karacan - runs about like a headless chicken with no skill whatsoever. He's weak in the tackle, but I suppose he has a good 'engine'.
Church - Another headless chicken, with no skill. Will be lucky to get 8 goals next season.
The only 'decent' player I can think of is Sigurdson. But hasn't he struggled a bit at Hoffenheim?
It's all well and good saying you've got one of the best academies out there - but the quality of player isn't great. It;s merely the fact they've broken into the first team at a club that doesn't like spending money.