Academy V Arsenal Sat 12th 11am

[filbertway]

It was all rather strange with Dodds.

Unlike say Porter, Wesolowski, Logan, Stearman, O'Grady and, later, Kingy, Dodds just never got a chance. He so nearly got a game at Hereford, and, in Kelly days, was set to be in the squad against Norwich away I seem to recall.

But it didn't happen and I'd love to hear an honest explanation as to why.

Kelly verbally rated him and famously described him as the most natural striker at the club. I also believe he felt guilty about never giving him a chance.

Cos this was the time when we preferred any old striker to a Kirby Muxloe lad who scored goals for fun at Academy and reserves level.

People like Horsfield and Cadamarteri, for instance. You really have to wonder why especially judging by the way Horsfield played. Yes, I know he was to be taken ill and I deeply sympathise about that. But he still kept getting picked for our side and not for any footballing reasons that I ever saw.

Since moving on Dodds has been a virtual ever present at places like Lincoln and Port Vale, finishing the recent seasons as top scorer or second top - and that's while often playing as an attacking midfielder. He seems to be highly rated at Vale from accounts that I've heard.

However the truth of what you say about Academy scholars finding it hard when they move away was perhaps hinted at by Billy Kee when he said he was enjoying his football at Accrington " but it's not the same as being here".

I'll never forget where I was on that fateful day when he uttered those famous words... ;p

[Fez of Mahrez]

It would be good to see articles like that reaching a wider Leicester audience, have you tried getting the Merc to publish them along side your match reports.

Haven't mentioned it, no. I gave the academy a little mention in my Blackpool bit. It's a bit tricky getting to every Academy game because of the first-team schedules, have looked on the OS and I reckon I can do around half (basically when we're playing at home, although I am tempted to bomb up the M1 after the Academy play Watford in North London one Saturday )

[davieG]

Haven't mentioned it, no. I gave the academy a little mention in my Blackpool bit. It's a bit tricky getting to every Academy game because of the first-team schedules, have looked on the OS and I reckon I can do around half (basically when we're playing at home, although I am tempted to bomb up the M1 after the Academy play Watford in North London one Saturday )

I wasn't think just the Academy but adhoc reports, reviews, opinions maybe even the odd interview. Just to take advantage of your position to get in some telling interesting stuff and to get some broader experience.

I'm sure if you did both you and the readers would benefit. The Merc is so prescriptive in it's sport reporting it's very hard to find something worthy of reading.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I wasn't think just the Academy but adhoc reports, reviews, opinions maybe even the odd interview. Just to take advantage of your position to get in some telling interesting stuff and to get some broader experience.

I'm sure if you did both you and the readers would benefit. The Merc is so prescriptive in it's sport reporting it's very hard to find something worthy of reading.

Again, I'd love to do it but the Merc have people for that, and I think it's getting far better this season with good interviews every Friday and the new match reporter is far, far better than Anderson.

I will keep on doing stuff like that for Vital Football anyway.

I have suggested to the Merc about doing fan reaction pieces when something happens, an actual article as opposed to a few quotes from Ginnetta et al as usual. We'll see.

Nice to have the interest anyway, cheers.

[dogadug]

Again, I'd love to do it but the Merc have people for that, and I think it's getting far better this season with good interviews every Friday and the new match reporter is far, far better than Anderson.

I will keep on doing stuff like that for Vital Football anyway.

I have suggested to the Merc about doing fan reaction pieces when something happens, an actual article as opposed to a few quotes from Ginnetta et al as usual. We'll see.

Nice to have the interest anyway, cheers.

And keep up with the good reports