Going back to the early 90s, we also got decent money for Anthony Barness and Scott Minto (living proof that a degree from Staffordshire University in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting can, indeed, enhance your career prospects. He did it whilst at Rotherham at the end of his playing days - smart guy and good luck to him).
As newyorkaddick says, the Academy has done exceptionally well in recent years and I shudder to think where we'd be without a decent conveyor belt of first team players. In the last few seasons, players like Cousins and Solly have been the heartbeat of the side. Where would we be without Steve Avory and his team ? Roland and Katrien are, however, utterly delusional if they think we can cover off most of our losses through a sale each year. The record demonstrates that Gomez and Lookman are very much the exception, rather than the rule. Moreover, even Roland probably appreciates by now that it's very difficult to attract significant offers for players when you're in League 1.
One thing we haven't produced since Paul Walsh - over 35 years ago - is a top class forward, so we're definitely due one of them. Lookman (recognising that he's not strictly an Academy product) has great potential, although the short term priorities of the regime mean we probably won't see him in a Charlton shirt again, notwithstanding the fact that a strong season in League 1 would enhance his sale value and help us to "be competitive".
Going back to the early 90s, we also got decent money for Anthony Barness and Scott Minto (living proof that a degree from Staffordshire University in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting can, indeed, enhance your career prospects. He did it whilst at Rotherham at the end of his playing days - smart guy and good luck to him).
As newyorkaddick says, the Academy has done exceptionally well in recent years and I shudder to think where we'd be without a decent conveyor belt of first team players. In the last few seasons, players like Cousins and Solly have been the heartbeat of the side. Where would we be without Steve Avory and his team ? Roland and Katrien are, however, utterly delusional if they think we can cover off most of our losses through a sale each year. The record demonstrates that Gomez and Lookman are very much the exception, rather than the rule. Moreover, even Roland probably appreciates by now that it's very difficult to attract significant offers for players when you're in League 1.
One thing we haven't produced since Paul Walsh - over 35 years ago - is a top class forward, so we're definitely due one of them. Lookman (recognising that he's not strictly an Academy product) has great potential, although the short term priorities of the regime mean we probably won't see him in a Charlton shirt again, notwithstanding the fact that a strong season in League 1 would enhance his sale value and help us to "be competitive".
I think it really depends on where you start and end the responsibility of the Academy. In reference to the above, if a player joins at or before 16, I think they should be considered part of the academy. After 18/19, there isn't much of a role the academy plays. When you look at our players who have struggled to push on after leaving, Shelvey, Poyet, and Jenkinson in particular, it was because they'd left us by 18/19.
I think the ages of 18-21 are incredibly underrated in terms of a footballer's success, but oftentimes it feels like if a player hasn't broken into the first team by 18/19, they're discarded. All three of the above struggled desperately for first team football between 18 and 21 (Poyet is still struggling). I don't think you can put that development period down to the academy, I think that is where the academy to senior team handover occurs, and it is where many clubs' youth policy is found wanting.
All-in-all, I think we have a very good academy, and I think we're going to see RCC and Konsa break through next year, potentially amongst others. Yao and Lapslie at U18 look like they could well have the requisite skill level to make the step up into our senior team at some point.
Mason at Spurs. He didn't get a look in until he was 22-23, even got an englNd cap. Not good enough for Spurs bitcwill end up at west brom/Stoke type of club
Comments
For me the Academy is anyone who plays at least U18 Football for the club.
As newyorkaddick says, the Academy has done exceptionally well in recent years and I shudder to think where we'd be without a decent conveyor belt of first team players. In the last few seasons, players like Cousins and Solly have been the heartbeat of the side. Where would we be without Steve Avory and his team ? Roland and Katrien are, however, utterly delusional if they think we can cover off most of our losses through a sale each year. The record demonstrates that Gomez and Lookman are very much the exception, rather than the rule. Moreover, even Roland probably appreciates by now that it's very difficult to attract significant offers for players when you're in League 1.
One thing we haven't produced since Paul Walsh - over 35 years ago - is a top class forward, so we're definitely due one of them. Lookman (recognising that he's not strictly an Academy product) has great potential, although the short term priorities of the regime mean we probably won't see him in a Charlton shirt again, notwithstanding the fact that a strong season in League 1 would enhance his sale value and help us to "be competitive".
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-millwall-are-frozen-out-by-grant-1524375.html