Neal Ardley, Ian Burchnall, Luke Williams didn't pick any academy players to regularly start, and it's the same with Stuart Maynard now too. So are they all wrong or is it just simply the players aren't up to standard and therefore not ready to play? Like every other player at Notts, they've got to earn their chance surely?

If we just suddenly start all these youngsters and results are affected because of it the fans will just immediately call for them to be out of the team and blame the head coach for chucking them in too early. We have to realistic here with the academy how many a 17/18 year old players will actually be able to go straight into the team and improve it? A very low percentage sadly. I think the issue for a lot of the academy players is that they simply need more time to develop but because we don't have a reserve team they don't always get the chance to prove themselves properly at Notts.

The lack of a proper Reserve team is crucial. Luther Wilding after leaving Notts walked straight into Stevenage's team and has done very well. I'm still annoyed with Nolan releasing Luther and Curtis.... Nolan was clueless

I don't think there is an excuse not to include at least one academy player on the bench this season.

League 2 clubs are allowed 7 players on the bench with up to 5 substitutions allowed.

If the team is two or three goals ahead halfway through the second half, why not put an academy player on?

Young players can improve if they are regularly playing with experienced senior players.

Loaning them out to teams further down the football pyramid is not going to benefit a young player in my opinion.

I think there are a few issues with the way the system works.

The vast majority of academy players - at any club, not just Notts - aren't good enough to make it. Sad, but it's borne out by the numbers. 

When one is very good, there is an agreement that PL teams can just pick them up for a standard fee. Obviously if several clubs are interested you may get an auction situation, but we've lost Bearne, He and Etete recently without having the chance to play them and I'm certain at least the last 2 would have had a decent run in our team.

With Thompson as the exception, most players who Notts let go don't go on to better things. I know Bishop eventually has done but after several years at NLN level. Almost everyone else has stayed below NL level becasue the best ones get picked up before we have chance.

I think @Piethagoram makes a great point, that we have nothing to bridge the gap between kids football and the senior side.

Like @Robbie I'd love to see an academy player on the bench each game but, as a coach, you can't really select the bench on the basis that we'll be comfortably clear and able to give someone a chance. You've got to do it on the basis they are ready and able to do the job today.

I get your point @Simon Clark 

If we take Sanderson as an example, if there are seven players allowed on the bench, he should be there. 

A determination has to be made early whether an academy player is going to be good enough.

Sanderson has shown that he is on the cusp. I say give the lad a chance and bring him on for a period of time every game & if he is good enough, give him a start.

I would like to see Stuart play a couple of the leading academy players tomorrow night against Wealdsone.

But if You're Not Going To Give The Kids A Chance, I Ask Again What Is The Point Of Notts Having An Academy? 

Maynard isn't Going to flood the Notts Starting XI with Youngsters. If a Player isn't ready at 17 at What Age will he be Ready? The Head of the Academy must have an idea who His Rising Stars Are, surely he must speak to SM and say give this Kid a Run. Give the Lad ago and see how he performs. It will come clear very quickly if the Kid has got it in him, to progress further.

James Sanderson should be an Ideal Candidate for a Run in the first team. An Experienced Player could take him under their wing, point out  things such as Positioning,  and other skills he'll be expected to Learn , the only way the Kid is going to Develop Is Under Match Conditions, Playing First Team Football at the Lane, and NOT  Sent Out On Loan Repeatedly.

21 hours ago, menzinho said:

we don't have a reserve team they don't always get the chance to prove themselves properly at Notts.

Maybe that's something for the owners to look in to. Reserve games just don't seem to be the same as they once were though even at the higher levels. But this would be a good way to integrate youth players in to the first team to see if they're up to scratch or not. 

11 hours ago, Robbie said:

I don't think there is an excuse not to include at least one academy player on the bench this season.

League 2 clubs are allowed 7 players on the bench with up to 5 substitutions allowed.

If the team is two or three goals ahead halfway through the second half, why not put an academy player on?

Young players can improve if they are regularly playing with experienced senior players.

Loaning them out to teams further down the football pyramid is not going to benefit a young player in my opinion.

Even if it's playing them in something like the EFL Trophy. I mean they have Premier League youth teams in there (which I still don't agree with) so why not give them a shot against them? It gives youth players a run out to see if they are capable and it also allows some of the senior squad some rest to focus more on the league. 

As for the loaning out to teams further down, in some cases it can prove beneficial because it's a tougher game. But, maybe loaning out to same level or higher would be a good idea to improve them further. 

10 hours ago, Simon Clark said:

He and Etete recently without having the chance to play them and I'm certain at least the last 2 would have had a decent run in our team.

Both of these had a good chance to have a decent run in the team but unfortunately as you've pointed out the fee is set.

The Academy's management is exceptionally effective. Everything at our level could be improved, but imagine the frustration of the coaches who invest so much effort into a young player, only for them to be released. Yes, you might start with around 16 youngsters, which is whittled down to 4-5 first-year professionals if you’re lucky. By the end of this journey, ideally, one or two wouldn’t be far off the first team. Selling potential first-team players is one thing, we can’t avoid that, but not providing a supportive environment for them to flourish is a missed opportunity. I’ve always felt that Jim O’Brien should have worked closely with the likes of James Sanderson, Madou Cisse, and Charlie Gill. If the club identified a senior player who could mentor our young players, it might better prepare them for life in the first team. We just throw them in and loan them out, there’s no time for them to settle and improve with the existing squad.

Personally, I think it's a culture and chance issue.

Notts is in a position where it's ambitious, and it might be seen as a luxury to play a youth prospect or young professional. I have been very critical of my disappointment regarding this over the years, as I have seen enough wasted talent. If Stuart Maynard could be bold enough to ensure that the likes of James Sanderson managed to start at least 12 games this season, even if the majority were low-key cup games, it's still vital minutes which lead to experience.

Experience which isn't always gained by going out on loan, this is more clubs hoping to excel the progression so the young player(s) are near to the first team in terms of footballing minutes.

Without really committing, we'll never know if any of the youngsters before their release if they will reach the ability where they can become a strong first team candidate.

Our academy is very good. I have seen training sessions before the issues under AH, and I am sure it's returned to that level, if not better under the Reedtz. The thing is, the majority of fans say they want to see youngsters given the chance but quickly turn against the idea. I have seen no end to promising players falling to criticism whilst they are learning. It's not productive, especially when it's over critical or directly put to them.

At the same time, due to the pressured environment managers are less likely to give youngsters the chance because it could be them that ends up being fired if results don't go their way.

Crewe Alexandra have a decent youth setup, as do a few other clubs, where players are given minutes and nurtured. Notts must start giving them better opportunities, and because it can work, the pay-off is highly beneficial. Especially when players start performing at a higher standard than what you are playing at.

Once Notts is in League One, it’s crucial to establish a proper reserve team and give it time to develop. This is partly why young professionals often get sent out on loan. A proper development/reserve team also assists first-team players who are on the verge of starting, need match fitness, or are returning from injury. This will provide young players with game time, importantly alongside senior squad members. I understand why we don’t have this in League Two, but it must be initiated once we’re back in League One. It would create a pathway for young talent to get noticed. A league structure is far more rewarding than random games against local teams.

We should take pride in our academy. Instead of overhyping young players when they sign their first contract or renew it, they need to be given time in the first team. A few matches won’t determine if they are good enough. They need time to gain confidence and experience where their skills can be utilised. Sending them out on loan is one thing, but I agree that we need them to be able to perform well at our level. The club needs to be fearless and start identifying one or two youngsters who will be guaranteed at least 12 or more appearances over the season. Then gradually try to select them more often. If they don’t make the grade after being given time, I would feel much more confident about the academy serving a solid purpose, rather than being a talent farm for bigger clubs to harvest our players and then proceed to do what we fear.

As I have said Before a young Player such has Ryley Reynolds and James Sanderson would benefit Greatly by being teamed up with an Experienced Player in the First team  Squad. Both named youngsters are Midfielders so both would benefit  Massively from players such has Dan Crowley and Curtis Edwards being beside them in Training and playing along side them in a Match. Both Academy Players while developing their own style and skills would learn from the Senior players about many things which could or may happen during Match Action and this would help them improve their play much much quicker then being loaned out to a Team, with a Lower Skill Set.

Notts could do numerous things to provide younger players with a better opportunity to become squad members and future first team players. Securing good loan deals is a start, but if they don’t compete against skilled players or get a proper chance in our own team, they will always end up being let go. Coaching can assist players in preparing for and being ready for first team football. Notts needs to nurture talent and strive to help more youngsters reach their potential while at the club.

@DeadlyMacca

You keeping your present Monika then?

You have Valid and Excellent Points. As have other Commentators on here. Coaching players and getting them Ready for First team Football should be the Clubs Top Priority. I t reminds me of a statement a Mate of Mine told me. He's a Big Liverpool Fan and When Jurgen Klopp was in charge at Anfield all the Teams did everything together from the First Team Squad , the Academy and Youth sides. Such as Eating together to learning how to Play the Liverpool Way and the Man always found the Time to cast an Eye over the Young and Up Coming Liverpool Talent. Just Jurgen Klopp being present  and saying a Few words  would Inspired the Kids . and he'd always listen to his Other Coaches, and that is probably Why a Team full of Liverpool Kids beat Chelsea a team which Cost a Billion pounds in last seasons League Cup.

I wonder if something like the Klopp Method could be installed at the Lane?  But then again Jurgen Klopp was the Liverpool Manager and Stuart Maynard  is only a Mere Head Coach. And Interestingly Enough Klopp's successor Arne Slot  will be Liverpool's Head Coach and Not Their Manager.