Lewis Hall

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, Unbelievable said:

For the last few decades PL clubs have pillaged academies across the continent, so ai doubt the catchment area argument really holds. If NUFC develop the best academy, hire the best scouts and coaches and provide a strong pathway into a first team competing for silverware, then there is absolutely no reason why in 10 years time our academy can’t be at the level of Chelsea’s or City’s. This is one area where PSR is not as restrictive too, so you’d expect our owners to be all over it (and to an extent they are considering the reputation of youth prospects that have joined in recent years).

The majority of academy talents are from the catchment area though. Things are more global but the catchment is still important. And players that are local tend to be more loyal to the club. Sancho and Angel left Manchester v. young and not for big fees. with City - good money/performances from Foden, Harwood Bellis, Palmer - local lads. The biggest successes for Man U in terms of fees and performance have been Northerners or Scotland/Wales/Ireland. Becks is an anomaly. 
 

Under Ashley we would lose our best talents to Liverpool and Everton. Geography does matter. 
 

 

2 hours ago, Lotus said:

I think Wandsworth has a bigger population than Newcastle….

 

I mean, Wandsworth isn’t a particularly massive borough but I’m sure it has more people than the entire city of Newcastle (I did look this up once, long ago..).

That kind of disparity in population density is clearly a problem for any football club trying to recruit as many talented youngsters as possible.

 

If NUFC continues to seriously invest in and develop its academy until it’s viewed as absolutely top tier then I think it becomes a threat to all other academies throughout the North of England. The big 5 of Liv, Eve, Manc x 2 and Leeds will hoover up lots but even they will miss some. We need it to become 1st choice for lads from Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Tees, N. Yorks, Cumbria, etc.

Agreed it’s a challenge. If you’re a talented youngster from London you will have a lot of choice between genuinely fantastic academies between London and Newcastle.  
 

The north of England and Scotland has to be the focus and the competition is tough.  Again, Manchester and Liverpool as cities and surrounding suburbs are probably the most fertile areas. it’s going to be tough but at least we can throw money here. 

[joeyt]

We just taking how class he is for granted now then?

[Holloway]

He's hardly put a foot wrong in months 

[Lush Vlad]

Just now, joeyt said:

We just taking how class he is for granted now then?

I actually thought he was a bit suspect defensively tonight and by his usual standards. Some of his touches were a bit loose and got him in trouble. 
 

Still looked class for most of the game. I feel like Bruno. He has set the bar for an average game as like a 7 or 8. So if he drops below. It seems like he has had a bad game. When in reality he’s still one of our better performers on the day. 

[Disco]

Turns on a sixpence 

[Danh1]

Still a teenager ffs. He is fucking class. 

[elbee909]

35 minutes ago, Danh1 said:

Still a teenager ffs. He is fucking class. 

 

He's 20 but otherwise you're spot on!

[Elliottman]

There were a couple of touches in the first half which were just elite. Need to go watch them back. Some boy. 

[ExiledGeordie]

One of those players whose great to see live to see his ball control, passing and movement