Next season, I really really hope Rafa...

[Tee]

... gives some of the youngsters a better chance. This is my only criticism this season.

I mean why can't he give a couple of them the last 5 or 10 mins when we are winning at home for example, just to give them a chance and experience of first team action proper.

All this talk of superstar signings is all well and good but the future is the youth players and how they develop and break into the first team.

[Guest]

They have to be good enough. Wenger is bold enough to do that because he's rebuilding and he's already won the league.

I bet that the best way to blood youngsters is through cup matches and the best will shine if they're good enough. Robbie and Stevie were naturals and got straight into the team. That's how it should be.

[Rich]

It's part of a wider issue; someone mentioned the other week a great idea. The number of subs you can name should be increased to 7, with at least 2 having to be under 20 and brought through your Academy or youth structure.

That way if the game has been won, they have a chance of getting first team football.

[dom9]

It's part of a wider issue; someone mentioned the other week a great idea. The number of subs you can name should be increased to 7, with at least 2 having to be under 20 and brought through your Academy or youth structure.

That way if the game has been won, they have a chance of getting first team football.

Interesting idea, but also a good one.

[FowlerLeftFoot]

or 9 subs named, and 4 subs can be used
this would make games more exciting

[Icon]

Bring 'em on!!!

They won the FA FFS!

[Morph]

It's part of a wider issue; someone mentioned the other week a great idea. The number of subs you can name should be increased to 7, with at least 2 having to be under 20 and brought through your Academy or youth structure.

That way if the game has been won, they have a chance of getting first team football.

Aye his name was Rafa Benitez

[Rich]

Aye his name was Rafa Benitez

Who's he?

[Milan_Milan]

It's part of a wider issue; someone mentioned the other week a great idea. The number of subs you can name should be increased to 7, with at least 2 having to be under 20 and brought through your Academy or youth structure.

That way if the game has been won, they have a chance of getting first team football.

That's a cracking idea. At the minute with only 5 subs you need senior players known to be capable of filling in for injuries or who can genuinely change a game. When you're trying to win titles, you can't afford to be in a position where you're gambling on a youngster to fill a hole. This way they could actually get a few mins if the game is won.

[Morph]

Seriously tho if you can 7 subs in european competiton and la liga etc then why can't we just do the same, ****ing FA living in the past

[The Glove]

... gives some of the youngsters a better chance. This is my only criticism this season.

I mean why can't he give a couple of them the last 5 or 10 mins when we are winning at home for example, just to give them a chance and experience of first team action proper.

All this talk of superstar signings is all well and good but the future is the youth players and how they develop and break into the first team.

I think we may well have done but we havent had much chance really. Not many games have we been winning with a good enough margin to bring them on. We seem to have won a fair few games by the odd goal and if Rafa had brought one on and he ****ed right up and we drew or lost because of it, rafa would be lambasted and the poor lad would have his bottle shot after 10 mins of 1st team footy.

Hopefully next season when we are a bit more comfy in games he can ease players in.

[kingharry]

does anyone oh here get to the reserve/youth games ?? i'm interested to know why no one appears to be coming through is it lack of talaent or lack of chances in the first team ??

[Morph]

does anyone oh here get to the reserve/youth games ?? i'm interested to know why no one appears to be coming through is it lack of talaent or lack of chances in the first team ??

Don't get to the games really but follow the news a lot and read loads about the ressies and youth, tbh there aren't that many standout players and that seems to be the main reason. Insua may be just starting to come through, and we might see more of Hammill next season if he doesn't go out on loan again, but to be honest it's a combination of both with the former probably being the main cause

[homer1]

I don't think we get a true reflection of whether a young player is ready for the first team or not by playing in the Carling Cup with other youths.

I'd love to see the likes of Insua playing in a near full strenght Liverpool team where he would gain from the experience of playing with better players - then you can judge their potential. Playing in the Carling Cup with the rest of the reserve team only means he plays against better opposition but not whether he can adapt to the faster pace of the first team IMO

[JohnnyLambert]

Seen a few youth games this season some good performances from the likes of Charlie Barnett and Jimmy Ryan, Lindfield has been knocking on the door with his goals over past two seasons and I think he will play a big part in pre-season!! Rafa seems to favour the foreigners in the youth with his numerous signings (Brower, Huth and Insua) and blooding players like Nabil El Zhar in the last couple of games!!

I agree though I would love to see home grown talent creeping back in like the days of Fowler, Macca, Carra and Stevie!!!