Younger Players

[North-LondonFox]

Hi all, I've noticed that a lot of the youngsters such as Jorrin John, Schlupp, Chambers etc were excluded from the squad for the Leeds game - I thought it would have been ideal to get them on the bench in the League Cup?? How did John and Sclupp do in pre- season cos I had high hopes for them both this season? I am pobably just doing my normal trick and getting over excited about youngsters comimng through - I thought Neil Lewis was the next Pele

[Jon25747]

Probably because Sousa wanted a win for confidence. I don't think it was a bad idea.

[North-LondonFox]

Probably because Sousa wanted a win for confidence. I don't think it was a bad idea.

Agreed - a win was definitely needed - I just wanted to see a couple of the youngun's get some more experience - I suppose you can't have everything!

[leftsideoverhere]

Tom Parkes was on the bench at Leeds, and so was Rob Ambrusics, although I guess you could say Sousa was forced into that one. Sousa had academy players on the bench at Palace, I recall, and also for the first round Carling Cup game. But given the start we'd had, the Leeds match was more important than it might have been had we been top of the Championship with three wins. He got it right, in my book.

[Thracian]

Agreed - a win was definitely needed - I just wanted to see a couple of the youngun's get some more experience - I suppose you can't have everything!

I'm as strong an advocate of developing our own players as any but you need to get real. These Academy lads aren't likely to feature in the first team even with the token gesture of encouragement given by the new rules.

Sousa needs some wins for a start or else he won't have a career here. And he's not going to risk his future on the back of youngsters who have barely had more than a handful of games at reserve team level.

In the days when Weso, King, Mattock, Stearman, Porter, Gradel and Sheehan came through the club had limited resources and the kids played whole seasons in the reserves league.

But today's Academy kids have had nothing like that advantage and most will just move on into loanee situations and the disappointment of football in no man's land.

The odd one or two will have to somehow get very lucky. Cos if we have a good senior option in their position they'll have no chance.

So far a few Academy kids have been used pre-season cos Sousa was short of numbers and needed to familiarise himself with the talent available. But each new signing will push those kids further back and their only hope thereafter is if our season becomes meaningless thus giving renewed chance to use some youngsters towards the season's end. But at least the signs are a little more promising for the kids than under Pearson.

[North-LondonFox]

Things definitely look more positive than under Pearson - and I do agree that we needed a strong side put out. However, i'm surprised you're not more positive about the young players - having a team go unbeaten all season in the Academy League is some achievement - and indicates we have some serious players in there. Remember we beat the likes of Arsenal and Spurs who regularly loan their best academy players out to Championship clubs...sometimes I think people are just a bit nervous about playing youngsters when whats really needed is someone to show some faith.

Maybe its a bit naive but there you go...

[Fosse Boy]

Always love seeing youngsters get their chance to shine, but obviously the context has to be right. Tuesday's win was vital so to throw one in very much at the deep end wouldn't have been such a great idea. Hopefully Sousa recognises young talent and if they're good enough, they'll get their chance.

[okie fox]

It would be very difficult for a youngster to make an impact in a team that has yet to win in the league, that has several new players, and that is unsettled.

[North-LondonFox]

It would be very difficult for a youngster to make an impact in a team that has yet to win in the league, that has several new players, and that is unsettled.

It looks like everyone's keen to see the youngsters get a shot then - and I agree that Tuesday was probably not the right time/place.

I have a feeling that Jorrin John will become a key player for us over the next few seasons (I think he's more Joachim than Levi Porter) anyone impressed by him in Pre-season? I've only ever seen him play for the academy and he was different class.