The whole 'retaining identity' issue is a sad one for me. While I agree in some respects, we are finding that our team of mostly foreigners is much more talented, hard-working, enthusiastic, likeable and much much better value than any English squad we could build. It's simply not viable at the moment.
In terms of youth players there are a few promising brits but the reserves are getting panned every week and aren't giving me much hope that they can step up.