Quote Originally Posted by Tuerto View Post
Agree, and u23 football. Whenever I have watched it it looks like an exercise in showing how an individual has been coached to death, a bit like those shit courses you have to go on with work that are carried out in safe and forgiving environments without the obvious Panic factor of a real life situation. Maybe that's harsh, but it's noticeable when young players make the step up.

Thing is, and without sounding like an old Twat ( which I sort of am) there doesn't seem to be the urgency with young players coming through at the club, and I don't think it's their fault, it's got to be the way they're coached and nurtured. Look at the players we have produced pre academy. Gunter, Lesley, Earnshaw, Ginge, Ramsey, Mathews etc They all had their faults, but they all had that character to succeed, take control of situations, prepared to make mistakes. That type of attitude seems to have gone with this ultra level of coaching. Might be wrong as it's only anecdotal, although I'm only speaking about our club.
These kids are wrapped in a bubble from the age of 7 years old sometimes younger, and theyve not got the fight or desire that generations before had. Add that to the fact there is less aggression in the game and, for me anyway, weve lost something from our game.

Look at Sam Bowen for example. Dropping down to Newport at 21 years old he wasnt prepared for the physicality of league two. Its only now hes playing for Wealdstone, who like to get the ball down and play, hes finally showing what he can do in the mens game but hes 23 this month. Boys like that left to stagnate in academys its no good long term.

Sion Spence another. He was flying as a teenager, one of the best players for his age with Neco Williams with Wales under 21s. I think hes playing 6th or 7th tier now.