By Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has urged Premier League academy prospects to consider making switches to Football League teams, where they can get first-team action in challenging environments rather than remain in the "no-pressure" environment academies.
The Notts County manager recruited a number of top-flight youngsters on loan in January, as Arsenal's Marc Bola, Hull City's Josh Clackstone and West Bromwich Albion's Tahvon Campbell switched to Meadow Lane.
Bola has already spoken of how he is improving as a player on loan at Notts, and Nolan has echoed his sentiments, adding that the failure of Under-23 teams to get "anywhere near the final" of the Checkatrade Trophy is proof that their young players are not prepared for competitive action.
Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "It's been shown in the Checkatrade Trophy that no Under-23s team has got anywhere near the final. When it's come down to it, they just haven't been prepared for it.
"I am not knocking academy football, but there's no pressure. We've got Marc Bola who, if he makes a mistake in an academy game, then it's okay don't worry about it. But if he makes a mistake here it could mean the difference between three points or not.
"He's relishing it and done really well. He's got a great head on his shoulders."
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