Welcome to Meadow Lane, Nimesh Patel. I agree with those before me in hoping that he can bring the best out of the academy and help young players find their path to the first team. Developing talent takes patience and the right guidance, and if he can provide that, the club will benefit greatly in the long run.

A warm welcome to Nimesh Patel. It could be a good time to take another look at how the academy is set up. Some changes might help more young players make the step up to the first team.

A word from Nimesh.

I wish him every success and hope he can make a real difference with the academy lads coming through. If he can guide them, support them, and give them a bit of belief, there’s no reason it can’t work out.

Welcome, Nimesh Patel.

He didn’t really need to highlight that he’s the first South Asian Head of Coach Development in academy football in England. If you’re good at what you do, that should be what matters most. Saying that makes it sound like where he’s from played a big part in the decision. I’m sure he’s proud of his background, and that’s fair enough. But the message could have focused more on what he wants to achieve. It came across as a bit too much about him and less about the job.

I’d much rather hear someone talk about how vital it is to guide young players and help them get the best from their careers. That’s the heart of the role. Let’s hope he keeps his feet on the ground and stays focused on the work, not himself. There’s no room for egos in youth development. It’s about the players, not the spotlight.