Quote Originally Posted by the other bob wilson View Post
We’ve never given the impression of really going for a Category One Academy and now we’re paying for it. As someone who was all in favour of an Academy, I’m coming around to the view that if we’re not willing/able to have a Category One Academy, is there any point in having one?
I kind of agree with this. Or do we just accept that football has no integrity and just get on with it? Big business dominates our society and policy at every level and is generally amoral when it comes to decision making.

The truth of the matter is that Biancheri is the best of the crop at the age of 16, but may not be at the age of 18 or 21. He will do well to get in the Man Utd U18 team next season, let alone the U21's. He is nowhere near the talent that Ramon Calliste, Leon Jeanne or even Christian Roberts were at the same age (Roberts turned down similar advances). His move to them will not improve his development, but will give him a fatter contract at 17. There may also have been some immediate 'benefits'. How David Hughes can look at himself in the mirror is beyond me.

I'm not sure that Cat 1 makes a lot of difference, 60% extra of bugger all, is still bugger all.