Academy Pathway to the First Team

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Now that we've virtually qualified, I'd like to see 1-2 Academy players starting in the remaining fixtures.
However, we don't want to expose their inexperience by throwing too many into the fray, particularly against Porto. Far better to blend one of the midfielders alongside Bernardo and Gundogen, or maybe Delap with Sterling and Jesus pulling defenders out of position

 

[FantasyIreland]

Now that we've virtually qualified, I'd like to see 1-2 Academy players starting in the remaining fixtures.
However, we don't want to expose their inexperience by throwing too many into the fray, particularly against Porto. Far better to blend one of the midfielders alongside Bernardo and Gundogen, or maybe Delap with Sterling and Jesus pulling defenders out of position

The inclusion of either Doyle or Palmer will not negatively impact on our overall play,i'd also have Braaf on the bench as a bit of 'a wild card'.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

The inclusion of either Doyle or Palmer will not negatively impact on our overall play,i'd also have Braaf on the bench as a bit of 'a wild card'.

I' don't disagree, but if you introduce too many, then it can be counter productive, and we lose all shape and rhythm

 

[FantasyIreland]

I' don't disagree, but if you introduce too many, then it can be counter productive, and we lose all shape and rhythm

I'm pretty sure Doyle could perform the Rodri/Gundogan role and i'm fucking certain Delap couldn't do any worse than Mahrez.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

The inclusion of either Doyle or Palmer will not negatively impact on our overall play,i'd also have Braaf on the bench as a bit of 'a wild card'.

The "good" problem we have is that we are nearing full fitness and have 19 outfield senior players in the Champions league squad.
Would love to see younger players coming in but just find it difficult to see where they will play.
Fernandinho Mendy Stones Zinchenko Aguero will all need to get game time.

 

[FantasyIreland]

The "good" problem we have is that we are nearing full fitness and have 19 outfield senior players in the Champions league squad.
Would love to see younger players coming in but just find it difficult to see where they will play.
Fernandinho Mendy Stones Zinchenko Aguero will all need to get game time.

You're right,it wont be easy,and it would require very careful balancing,but if we are to maximise the talent the academy are producing and if we are to have one eye on the future,then surely Pep (and Co.) needs to manage it.

Sometimes situations are out of the clubs control,but 'allowing' another potential star to slip the net will be awful.Get them out on loan if need be,as long as its acceptable to the player.

 

[willipp]

You're right,it wont be easy,and it would require very careful balancing,but if we are to maximise the talent the academy are producing and if we are to have one eye on the future,then surely Pep (and Co.) needs to manage it.

Sometimes situations are out of the clubs control,but 'allowing' another potential star to slip the net will be awful.Get them out on loan if need be,as long as its acceptable to the player.

We are in a position to play 2/3 of these players and still have a cracking side on the pitch thats capable of winning. Pep really needs to now take care of KDB, Jesus, Sterling, Kun etc and that means leaving them out of games like CL for the next few rounds. Give the kids experience and a taste of first team and let some key players have a break. Win win all round i think.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

I'm pretty sure Doyle could perform the Rodri/Gundogan role and i'm fucking certain Delap couldn't do any worse than Mahrez.

I've not seen much of Doyle, but Gundogen was our best performer last night, particularly during the first 20 minutes, when he was outstanding.

Are you seriously suggesting that Doyle could provide a seamless transition?
That's not meant to be as confrontational as it looks. I'm just genuinely curious, because I know you've seen more of Doyle than me.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I've not seen much of Doyle, but Gundogen was our best performer last night, particularly during the first 20 minutes, when he was outstanding.

Are you seriously suggesting that Doyle could provide a seamless transition?
That's not meant to be as confrontational as it looks. I'm just genuinely curious, because I know you've seen more of Doyle than me.

No,i'm not suggesting its a given,he may well have a mare....but he does have the ability,and i think now is the time to allow him the opportunity.Gundogan was great last night,but give Doyle that same time and freedom on the ball and i see no reason he couldn't do a similar job.Doyle also has that extra bite to his game.

 

[Neville Kneville]

No,i'm not suggesting its a given,he may well have a mare....but he does have the ability,and i think now is the time to allow him the opportunity.Gundogan was great last night,but give Doyle that same time and freedom on the ball and i see no reason he couldn't do a similar job.Doyle also has that extra bite to his game.

I don't like Doyle at all as a 6, but imo if Rodri was playing at 6, then Doyle, given a run in the team, would be better than Gundogan in everything other than volume of passes.