Rafa looks for diamonds.

[AFII]

Rafa looks for diamonds
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 15 Apr 2007

Rafa Benitez is hoping to unearth home-grown diamonds in the coming years in the mould of Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

England international Carragher and Reds skipper Steven Gerrard are the only two regular members of the Liverpool team to have come up through the ranks.

Benitez accepts it is difficult for top clubs to field a team largely comprising players who have come through the academy.

But the Spaniard is keen to find one player per season who could rival the impact Carragher has had on the Liverpool side.

"It is normal at top clubs for it to be more difficult for youngsters to get through because of the players that are bought for the senior squad," said Benitez.

"It was the same when I was at Real Madrid, it is the same with the big clubs in England.

"I have known senior squads at Madrid with 40 players, and of that maybe 14 were from the academy. That is success, that is what means an academy is successful.

"But one each year would be fine. Maybe one Jamie Carragher each year, maybe one Steven Gerrard.

"It could take five years, but you have a diamond to work with. You can then do something if you have the talent, you can see it grow.

"But if I could find one Carra every year, and then you will see in five years maybe five Carras. Think of the money you would save with a team of Carraghers."

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...s+for+diamonds

[Angry Dan]

We all dream

[cobain]

of a team of

[Angry Dan]

"But if I could find one Carra every year, and then you will see in five years maybe five Carras. Think of the money you would save with a team of Carraghers."

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...s+for+diamonds

We all dream

[cobain]

of a team of

We all dream

Wrong reply...

[The Glove]

Rafa looks for diamonds
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 15 Apr 2007

Rafa Benitez is hoping to unearth home-grown diamonds in the coming years in the mould of Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

England international Carragher and Reds skipper Steven Gerrard are the only two regular members of the Liverpool team to have come up through the ranks.

Benitez accepts it is difficult for top clubs to field a team largely comprising players who have come through the academy.

But the Spaniard is keen to find one player per season who could rival the impact Carragher has had on the Liverpool side.

"It is normal at top clubs for it to be more difficult for youngsters to get through because of the players that are bought for the senior squad," said Benitez.

"It was the same when I was at Real Madrid, it is the same with the big clubs in England.

"I have known senior squads at Madrid with 40 players, and of that maybe 14 were from the academy. That is success, that is what means an academy is successful.

"But one each year would be fine. Maybe one Jamie Carragher each year, maybe one Steven Gerrard.

"It could take five years, but you have a diamond to work with. You can then do something if you have the talent, you can see it grow.

"But if I could find one Carra every year, and then you will see in five years maybe five Carras. Think of the money you would save with a team of Carraghers."

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...s+for+diamonds

In other words, Heighway is **** and Rafa will be sorting it out.

[rage]

easy start. bring back the young lad from scotland, play him on the left and sell speedy in the summer.

[Maestro]

I thought this thread was about the watch that Rafa will have to buy for his wife when we win number six...

[lfc4ever]

In other words, Heighway is **** and Rafa will be sorting it out.

Word from the inside is that he's been **** for a long time, the talent that came through would have come through anyway, nothing extraordinary and certainly no group of youngsters ever made it, it's just that it would have been difficult to shift an old boy out such as Heighway.

[Morph]

There might something with the current group of youngsters tho, who will all be moving to Melwood or getting released at the end of the season. will have to see how they carry on over the next few years

[bazza76]

Word from the inside is that he's been **** for a long time, the talent that came through would have come through anyway, nothing extraordinary and certainly no group of youngsters ever made it, it's just that it would have been difficult to shift an old boy out such as Heighway.

Have to admit though, he has the current FA youth side looking good, played some great football in the cup this and last year.
Personally, I think Rafa would agree with this too, there is only so much you can do if they dont get to play against experienced players.
I wouldnt quite say Highway isnt doing his job, but moe so, the steps they take after that arent sufficient for their development, the experience the like of Adam Hammill is getting out on loan is crucial for his development. They are not getting that in the reserves.

[Darth Marty]

the whole reserve set up is ****ed, and there are only so many loans we can do so dont really leave us with much option does it, id like for the reserve teams to be in a "proper" league system.....or maybe set up a premiership reserve league and the winner of said reserve league gets a uefa cup spot for the first team or summit.....**** knows but theres gotta be a better way......(put them in the scottish premier league) ;-D

[lfc4ever]

Have to admit though, he has the current FA youth side looking good, played some great football in the cup this and last year.
Personally, I think Rafa would agree with this too,

Seeing that Rafa implemented some changes after his first year here, I have no doubt he would agree.

there is only so much you can do if they dont get to play against experienced players.
I wouldnt quite say Heighway isnt doing his job, but moe so, the steps they take after that arent sufficient for their development, the experience the like of Adam Hammill is getting out on loan is crucial for his development. They are not getting that in the reserves.

But he isn't doing his job to the very best that the job can be done, very insular & inward looking, there was a time with him & Ged that they just never spoke, and it was a case of you stay out of my domain & I'll stay out of yours, there isn't the cohesion from top to bottom that needs to be there for a long sustained influx of youth & reserve players, and what is the point of the manager not having total control of the whole system, so that players moving through the ranks & the system know exactly how the first team is set up.

Even now, there is not a lot of trust between the two camps, and it is time for the old man to step down and allow the new regime full control over both camps and be able to speak as one.

[saj]

easy start. bring back the young lad from scotland, play him on the left and sell speedy in the summer.

Spot on - hit the nail on the head twice

[bazza76]

Seeing that Rafa implemented some changes after his first year here, I have no doubt he would agree.




But he isn't doing his job to the very best that the job can be done, very insular & inward looking, there was a time with him & Ged that they just never spoke, and it was a case of you stay out of my domain & I'll stay out of yours, there isn't the cohesion from top to bottom that needs to be there for a long sustained influx of youth & reserve players, and what is the point of the manager not having total control of the whole system, so that players moving through the ranks & the system know exactly how the first team is set up.

Even now, there is not a lot of trust between the two camps, and it is time for the old man to step down and allow the new regime full control over both camps and be able to speak as one.

cant argue with the fact there seems to be two camps alright. Wonder what exactly is the difference of oppinion is between the two? just who is in charge or methods.