Our youth policy and the missing 'men'

[Spike]

Having just read an onvertly gushing tribute to Wenger's youth policy in the Times, (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article4837568.ece) I couldn't help but wonder where the likes of Bruna, Pacheco, and Nemeth - all supposedly the brightest prospects in our youth set-up - feature for us.

 

THey don't make it onto the bench, and neither into the Carling cup sides when we do give some of our young players a chance.

 

Is Rafa protecting them? Are they just not ready? or is there some other grand masterplan at work?

 

THis is not a go at Rafa, or the start of a debate about the relative merits of Wenger; i'm just genuinely intrigued as to where they fit / should fit in the opinion of those who have watched them regularly.

[Bigal]

I suppose Rafa will have been stung by losing to Burnley in the fa cup, though the same team were splendid in the carling cup in the same season.

 

so in short I dont know

 

I am of no use!

[Benitez]

  Spike said:

Having just read an onvertly gushing tribute to Wenger's youth policy in the Times, (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article4837568.ece) I couldn't help but wonder where the likes of Bruna, Pacheco, and Nemeth - all supposedly the brightest prospects in our youth set-up - feature for us.

 

THey don't make it onto the bench, and neither into the Carling cup sides when we do give some of our young players a chance.

 

Is Rafa protecting them? Are they just not ready? or is there some other grand masterplan at work?

 

THis is not a go at Rafa, or the start of a debate about the relative merits of Wenger; i'm just genuinely intrigued as to where they fit / should fit in the opinion of those who have watched them regularly.

 

Haven't Pacheco and Bruna only just made the step up to the reserves from the youth teams? Or maybe I'm confused, often the case

 

I think they seem quite rigid with the development process now. IE - you get a full year in the ressies under your belt first before stepping up again (if you are good enough), or going on loan.

 

Plessis has done that, as has Insua and El Zhar. Maybe Pacheco and Bruna will be given a long run in the ressies first. But I wouldn't be surprised if Nemeth starts making appearances soon. He ended last season very strongly for the reserves.

 

So I don't see it as protecting them as such, just allowing them time to learn and develop under one set of coaches first. And that is one of the big changes that has happened, that 'outsiders' don't realise. Now our reserve team is a team for players to learn and develop in, knowing they will get regular games. Not how it was - a team for fringe first teamers that we couldn't shift cos of the daft contracts they where on.

Edited September 28, 2008 by Benitez

[Guest Ant]

  Spike said:

Having just read an onvertly gushing tribute to Wenger's youth policy in the Times, (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article4837568.ece) I couldn't help but wonder where the likes of Bruna, Pacheco, and Nemeth - all supposedly the brightest prospects in our youth set-up - feature for us.

 

THey don't make it onto the bench, and neither into the Carling cup sides when we do give some of our young players a chance.

 

Is Rafa protecting them? Are they just not ready? or is there some other grand masterplan at work?

 

THis is not a go at Rafa, or the start of a debate about the relative merits of Wenger; i'm just genuinely intrigued as to where they fit / should fit in the opinion of those who have watched them regularly.

 

They should have played v Crewe. Or at least some of them with a few first teamers

Edited September 28, 2008 by Ant

[Guest Snorky]

Nemeth is/was injured for the Crewe game I think

[Bigal]

  Snorky said:

Nemeth is/was injured for the Crewe game I think

 

i was going to say, he has barely played for the ressies this season with injury

[Maldini]

He hasn't played at all. I had hoped Rafa would play a few kids in the Crewe game, but I can understand why he did what he did. We haven't been rotating as much this season so he had to give preference to the first team squad members who have barely played this season. I'd say their case wasn't helped by the fact they were atrocious against Sunderland a week previously when Sammy Lee was watching.

[FC Showster]

Rafa should have played a team with a few reserve players like Insua and Plessis alongside those first teamers in need of a game (because Rafa seems to be playing a more settled side) like Cavalieri, Degen, Agger, Hyypia, N'gog etc

 

Oh wait, he did

[muleskinner]

Readng bits and pieces on various sites it seems Nathan Eccleston, after being promoted to Melwood last week, was sent back to the Academy by Rafa as there are too many strikers there and they didn't need him. He is now supposedly on his way to Blackburn today. Sounds like the Academy is in a bit of a mess.

[Will]

  Spike said:

THey don't make it onto the bench, and neither into the Carling cup sides when we do give some of our young players a chance.

ONE Carling Cup side

[Guest spk]

  FC Showster said:

Rafa should have played a team with a few reserve players like Insua and Plessis alongside those first teamers in need of a game (because Rafa seems to be playing a more settled side) like Cavalieri, Degen, Agger, Hyypia, N'gog etc

 

Oh wait, he did

 

totally disagree. we've a big first team squad now and rafa needs to play those who he can field in competitive games and see how they get on. the likes of dagger, ngog, etc who are all in the first team on merit are all there for a reason and need competive match time to demonstrate theyve got the goods. id rather see those lads get match time and see the others go through the system proper.

[Spike]

  Will said:

ONE Carling Cup side

 

Yes, and they're more likely to play tougher oppostion in the SECOND carling cup game. That said we are playing Spurs so...

 

Think Bran has answered my query anyway

[Senrab_nhoj]

  spk said:

totally disagree. we've a big first team squad now and rafa needs to play those who he can field in competitive games and see how they get on. the likes of dagger, ngog, etc who are all in the first team on merit are all there for a reason and need competive match time to demonstrate theyve got the goods. id rather see those lads get match time and see the others go through the system proper.

 

 

Did you actually read what he wrote?