So after a few discussions on other posts I decided to create this topic so views on our youth system can be shared here. Personally I think we have some quality players currently in the youth system. Players such as Remaye Campbell, Kole Lambert, Pierce Bird, Peter Dearle, Dominic Brown-Hill, Sam Osbourne and Alex Howes. I think Nolan now has a duty to nurture these players and develop them so they can be prepared to step in if needed. I don't think the odd substitution in the Checkatrade Trophy Group stages counts as giving youth a chance though. They need some proper development and then maybe become impact substitutions for league football. Its hard to give youth a chance when there is so much on the line. But there has to be a time where enough is enough and Nolan bites the bullet. 

 

First year pros should be loaned out automatically regardless of their ability, there's no sense in sitting a kid on the bench - get them some experience.

Problem for me, things won't be so easy and until we are a division higher (or two) - there's little chance the experience will help the youngsters gain enough ability/confidence to be features regularly.

I would love to see us developing our own players, yet there needs to be a proper pathway.

I think the youth system could be a great way to bring talent.. as that’s the way it should be I think next season Kevin may start using them more to give exspirence and rest first team players a rest.during cup games etc but we need a strong first team first before we can think about you youth

2 hours ago, Chris said:

First year pros should be loaned out automatically regardless of their ability, there's no sense in sitting a kid on the bench - get them some experience.

The issue with loans & this is why certain clubs are rightly very choosy is that a player can develop quicker around better players, others need to go out and learn the other side of the game sometimes.

Put it this way, you sign (either first year pro or from non league) a young lad who has the raw ability to make it, he goes out on loan and stalls or develops very slowly, ally this to the first team performing better than expected and they get promoted or over achieve, the standard the young lad has to achieve is then far higher than it was at the start of the season and his standard hasn't  gone in the same direction, he then gets let go and he club move on, then a year later the young lad comes back into the league with another team, sound familiar??

Edited May 20, 20187 yr by Northants Pie

It will be another 10 years before we have a solid youth academy, with all the changes and under the current structure there is just no way any youths will make enough headway in order to get selected for the first team.

i think its sad that the young players we produce often go onto make it elsewhere because we are scared to give them a chance. i am not sure the majority of fans would accept a few mistakes either which makes it even harder.