My hopes for the Notts Youth Team

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

It's clear that Notts has youngsters with the technical ability, otherwise scouts wouldn't be coming to watch them and clubs therefore wouldn't be poaching the better prospects. If we are to progress in this department, as fans, I feel that it should be accepted because there's really not much we can do - except to hold out for more money.

I was hugely disappointed that Donga He went for what seemed like peanuts, I do wonder if a young player like him could have broken into this squad and perhaps helped us out. Who knows? That's in the past, though.

What I would like Notts to start doing is, allowing the academy players to train in and around the first time.

I don't know if this happens currently, yet the youths/first year pros should be playing the first team very regularly in my opinion (at least once a month in season). I think some of the better prospects should have a senior professional as a mentor, really grind it into them that this is the club's future.

In fact, I feel that all the senior players should encourage the youngsters along with the pros. I know Les Bradd believes that this type of influence has helped him.

Could the club look into sponsorship more in this department to help with the nutritional side of things?

I think this could help the players bulk up, whilst the support from senior players would help them adapt their mental game. Football is all about playing, if they don't play - they'll never improve and the club seems scared to allow the youngsters to run themselves into the ground. I certainly feel Sam Osborne will thrive next season and if the worst happens HE needs more game time.

The academy has so much potential, I have seen the great work that has been carried out of the years but it could be much better. A proper plan how to incorporate and support players must be a focus of Notts.

Otherwise, we'll continue to have silly numbers in terms of the squad size and each transfer window the club will continue to panic buy just to gain experience - when a youngster could get that first bite of proper football.

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

Cutting the amount of teams in the academy down could help Notts get money for youth players. Starting at under 16 level where they decide on scholarships. The academy system needs changing, otherwise we'll just keep getting rid of players for cheese. 

Also, I think it's important to only choose a select few youth players who you think are ready because, you don't want to be flooding the first team with youth players, as some might not be ready for first team footy. 

This topic is something I've mentioned in my piece about Notts. 

[liampie]

does anyone remember when the club scrapped the youth team and reserves? i currently dont see a point in the youth team.

nothing comes from it, young players spend years training for the big stage to play first team football and i barely happens. we get an injury where they are crying out for someone in that position and they look to sign someone, i do feel it could be so much better. we might see players leave for small transfer fees but if notts could establish them then i think the price would be way more attractive.

i really want to see notts starting to push young players, i think they would have fought more and longer during this season.

[allardyces tash]

I would have thought smaller groups to focus on would improve the youth players chances, many get lost and its hard to see what stage each player is at. I think Notts should go back to basics and build up if I am perfectly honest.

[cheeky~k8]

The youth team used to be about training younger players up to then me a part of Notts countys team or to be sold to achieve better in their careers. Now it doesn't seem like the youths get much further.

[Magic magpie]

The youth team has talent I hope they get to show it ... just seems it’s been forgotten about it’s not about how it used to be training up the youth for tomorrow unfortunately that’s no longer the case. Notts need to start again maybe and get back to basics with the youth team 

[Truefootballfan 𝕏 OldNottsfan]

The manager watches all of the players available to him every day in training. Do people really believe that if we had a kid ready to make headlines he’d keep him in the youth or reserve teams ! No manager keeps players out of the first team if they are better than the experienced pros he has at the club.

We have had a nightmare season and up until a couple of games ago it was still in our own hands. Throwing kids in that aren’t/weren’t ready would have sealed our fate weeks ago.

[menzinho]

Great post, a really interesting topic. Like you say there’s not a lot that be done to stop the poaching of star players like you’ve mentioned. It’s just frustrating that Notts won’t get the chance to reap the rewards for players they’ve potentially supported for years!

However, there’s still plenty of promising players at that club and when you consider over the last 10 years the only youth team players who made the step up and had regular involvement in the first 11 were Hollis & Thompson, it’s shocking! That’s 2 players over 10 seasons worth of football! It makes you wonder why we bother with a youth set-up at all.

I think one of the main issues over the last load of seasons has been our aim of; “promotion” at an almost impossible pace. It’s high pressure and only about getting results. That’s meant too many managers and too many players. Every season is the same; loads of players out and loads of new players in. And we try again and again to get promoted. The youth players don’t get a look in because they aren’t an immediate fix to our unyielding aim for promotion (or inevitable battle to avoid relegation when it all goes wrong).

Not once have we stopped to think about just taking our time to build a great squad. And this is where you can and should include giving our young players more of an opportunity – because the pressure won’t be there to get promoted every season. We’ve definitely got some good young players at this club, but if you never give them that chance, you’ll never know how good they could be…

[Wilfordpie]

23 hours ago, Truefootballfan said:

We have had a nightmare season and up until a couple of games ago it was still in our own hands. Throwing kids in that aren’t/weren’t ready would have sealed our fate weeks ago.

The first team filled with experience hasn't done much better.

There's a point where you have to throw a few into the mix and hope that they change something, play them and watch those youngsters improve over time. My biggest fear is that some fans are not rational enough to give them time on the field, it's an easy excuse for me.

[CliftonMagpie]

I think every fan dreams of seeing young players come through their academy and establish themselves.

If Notts could work harder on ensuring that young pros are near to League Two level of football, they would be well adapted to making it possible. I think we are 3-5 years off from making this a realistic thing though.

[BromPie]

Get the players in and around the first team regularly, most would either step up to the plate or highlight that they're not good enough.

You will never know without playing or trying them.

[cheeky~k8]

Better than the first team have played all season.

[eighteensixtytwo]

Now that relegation has been confirmed and the clubs national league status is known, the club must push and make the academy thrive. If Notts can't produce players good enough for this division then I would worry.

Surely Sam Osborne would do well.