IMHO, I think the criteria for squad selection may be changing as, indeed is the economics of much of the ALM and ALW. If you were to compare the current ALM to the one that existed 10 to 12 years ago;
The salary cap is now lower,
Other leagues that were comparable in quality to the ALM then are now better financed, and
A number of ALM clubs have developed Youth Academies, and these are now at the stage where the first intakes are ready to commence a senior career.
In short, I think the ALM is now less able to attract footballers of the quality of Ono, Del Piero or Lolley whilst at the same time there is an incentive to put home grown youngsters in the shop window even if this may affect results.
We as fans want to see the club win the treble every year but the club, which has a fiduciary responsibility to remain viable in a changing market, may regard playing youth as a priority even if it comes at the expense of results. Or to put it another way, many on this forum were disappointed in last seasonâs performance to the extent that they thought Ufuk Talayâs position was uncertain but from the point of view of the club they made two big player sales and may regard last season as the most financially successful in the clubâs history and a template for future seasons.
Personally, if the youngsters can perform for the whole season like they did in the second half of the Wrexham game⊠I wouldnât mind the change.
Even if we never get a dollar for them (and I think we may have ended up getting some training compensation for Adamson), the fact that our academy produces players who get snapped up by our competition means parents will look at our academy as the best way to get their kids a career. Itâs a good thing for the club as a whole even if it occasionally hurts our first team results (Sapsford for another example).
As others have said, we do need to balance our approach as talent developers with on field results. Thatâs especially true now the league is independent and we are one of the main pillars of financial stability for the league as a whole.
Going from enough CAMs to freeze Burgess out to none is a bit frustrating, but players also arenât automatons, and Ouahim left for valid personal reasons that may have come as a surprise to management. These things happen.
Thatâs definitely a very big iff. Not easy to judge performance based off of a single game where the opposition is still technically League 1 in quality and really doesnât have that much to play for, considering theyâre in their off season and are simple playing friendlies purely to advertise their series.
While I see what you mean, I donât think you can really argue that Talay brought the best out of them? In fact he subbed Sega off after scoring multiple goals because he wasnât following the tactics. What a good coach would have done, is seen there was a positive change and adapted to that, rather than forcing something that may or may not work.
Weâre at the point where I see 24 new replies on this thread and I dont think âwhat exciting singing have we madeâ but âi wonder what people are arguing over on this threadâ
Plenty on here were keen to see both of those retained - and given time in the team. Talbot seemed to make a choice to leave because he did get games in his last season here. With Adams it definitely seemed that we made the choice of others over him.
No doubt we have sold a few and pocketed heaps, but right now we seem to be âfirst team dealingâ some that havenât actually demonstrated theyâre up to it, on the back of losing a few whoâve proved they are.
This current crop is not the best weâve produced, but may end up scoring more first team deals due to circumstances.