The youth

[Thracian]

If the player is good enough he will get a game, in Sven we trust :sge: and im sure Mr E wouldnt miss a decent player in our youth ranks even if he has cash to spend, i think the only thing at the moment going against that is our need to get in the Prem asap therefore established stars will be usually picked against an untried hopeful even though as i said before generally if they are good enough they will get a chance eventually. Ive heard Schlupp is worth a game or two from the bench????

I don't think that's necessarily true. King was almost totally ignored by Holloway - a decision that arguably got us relegated considering how narrow the margin was. And Gradel was all but sidelined by Pearson.

We've had chances to put Schlupp on the bench. I've never once seen him play as badly as loanee Bednar, nor the departing Fryatt at the back end of his time here.

It's already been mentioned that we miss the reserves but that only indicates how little we seem to have cared about developing players beyond the Academy stage for at least the last three seasons.

This isn't just a Leicester City problem and, nationwide, I hate to think of how much talent is being wasted to accommodate poor quality imports. And the only reason I can think of for continuing down that route is that people must be getting a pay-off whereas there's so little money in taking the time to blood youngsters.

In football as in other fields they're not wanted unless they've got experience. Sadly few have the bottle to give em that experience and very few fans give a toss either, cos they'd rather spend our way to success. We take these lads on but don't seem to have the structure to see them through the final development stages.

In the end the lead should be taken by FIFA, but can you imagine that from an organisation that seems as corrupt and lacking in moral leadership as last year's British politicians.

Leicester look certain to win their U18 Academy League again this season - a marvellous advertisement for our youth coaching structure against opposition that includes several Premiership Academy sides - but what's it all for beyond social service if there's little or no end product?

I'm not much knocking our current administration on this - they seem to have a bit of life about them in my limited experience -but the current situation is flawed all round.

Bringing young players into the first team is not about "giving them a game" either.

It is about giving them progressive experience just as in any other apprenticeship.

It's about involving them regularly, observing their reaction and performance, fine tuning any flaws, involving them some more and showing a determination not just to give them a one game "chance" but to show sufficient belief to see them through, as we clearly should have done with Gradel.

[Toby or not Toby]

Does anyone know what's happaned to Adi Yussuf?

Gone Tamworth for a month on loan, January 1st he went!

[Thracian]

because clubs like them set their academy's up to make their players better in terms of technique where as we set ours up to win games for the PR

I've criticised our set-up when I've believed it justified but in several years of watching the Academy regularly I've seen no evidence of that whatsoever.

The PR is decidedly low key. We've been lucky to get a sketchy match report by Tuesday after some matches and then it's mainly just reference to who scored and generalities.

In many ways, while the staff are proud of the Academy achievements they are reluctant to say too much for several reasons - some relating to prying scouts and others related to keeping players focused on all aspects of their youth development including their education.

Several times it's been stressed in my earshot that, while winning matters because the lads are being prepared for what is a results orientated environment, results are sought within a framework of other things.

Like playing together as a unit and within a system, like exercising discipline on the field, coping with the emotional side of being left out after a decent game or being asked to play in an unfamiliar position.

Year after year there are considerable changes in the Academy line-ups but year after year the comeraderie among the group seems awesome. (It used to be continued in the reserves until the arrival of the "fringe-benefits" foreign legion under Mandaric).

From the above points of view, and a whole lot more, the Academy kids right through the age levels seem brilliantly served to me. And I could write "brilliantly" in capital letters.

[Kitchandro]

Even King needed someone to show faith in him. I pleaded for him to be picked during our relegation season but Holloway would have none of it. The excuse you use is the same one lots of managers use and it's a pity the authorities won't take the initiative and make sure there's at least one Academy player involved every week.

In the end they have to be thrown in - there's no magic day when they suddenly become big enough or old enough. The secret is to involve them gradually off the bench - rather like Abe who was no more an asset than any half-decent youth player for his first six weeks or so here. The difference is that everyone will accept a Japanese international being no good while he adjusts to playing in our first team but they'll expect a home grown kid to be good on the first day, or else.

I've paid Eriksson a number of compliments but anyone can be successful with endless money. I'd like to see him actually make something of someone. And put young Schlupp on the bench. Introduce him gradually, the same as Abe and see how he fares with some quality players and expert help around him. Personally I'd have every faith in the lad. Not to be a shining light immediately - but to do himself and the team justice.

Not that I think it will happen any more than when Pearson was here. Lose with established players and they might get away with it but lose with "risk" players and they're vulnerable.

Another problem is that, ideally, its nice to blood the youngsters when there's something of a cushion, like a two-goal lead. But at Leicester we're hardly ever likely to have two goals advantage in a league game cos we go so defensive when or if we score. Consequently the games are always in the balance, increasing the downside of using a youngster.

As for "Championship" level so far, from what I've seen it's embarrassingly crap. Preston, Hull, S****horpe...every one of them appalling. If Schlupp can't hold his own in their company he might as well pack off now. Perhaps you'll tell me what is so fearful?

Agree with this

Our academy is good, but the stand outs need to be given a chance or they'll never make it.

[North-LondonFox]

I've criticised our set-up when I've believed it justified but in several years of watching the Academy regularly I've seen no evidence of that whatsoever.

The PR is decidedly low key. We've been lucky to get a sketchy match report by Tuesday after some matches and then it's mainly just reference to who scored and generalities.

In many ways, while the staff are proud of the Academy achievements they are reluctant to say too much for several reasons - some relating to prying scouts and others related to keeping players focused on all aspects of their youth development including their education.

Several times it's been stressed in my earshot that, while winning matters because the lads are being prepared for what is a results orientated environment, results are sought within a framework of other things.

Like playing together as a unit and within a system, like exercising discipline on the field, coping with the emotional side of being left out after a decent game or being asked to play in an unfamiliar position.

Year after year there are considerable changes in the Academy line-ups but year after year the comeraderie among the group seems awesome. (It used to be continued in the reserves until the arrival of the "fringe-benefits" foreign legion under Mandaric).

From the above points of view, and a whole lot more, the Academy kids right through the age levels seem brilliantly served to me. And I could write "brilliantly" in capital letters.

Absolutely

[demon_dog]

As I understand it at the moment, firstly Sven has a very keen interest in the Academy and goes to watch them play whenever he possibly can.

However his main priority as dictated by the club owners is to see us return to the Premiership.

Hence the current use of loanees and signing up some quality players on the way.

I do agree that it may well be beneficial to the club to loan out some of these players to help them gain valuable experience.

I fully expect that come the Summer we could well see changes regarding the Academy and who knows maybe even a reserve squad once again.

Did I not read that the Thai owners want the Academy to also become a proving ground for players from Thailand?

This would help promote the club in a big way if the Thai squad boasted a player(s) from city's Academy.