Stephen Darby

[rikman]

Judging as we had nothing to play for and only Insua and Plessis have played, so would I.

But Nemeth didnt' play either and I would like to think is is gonna make it in teh first team. 7 subs next year can only help these boys make that step up.

[Slinky Skills]

I've been championing him look at my posts. The boy is class he'll be in the first team soon I tell thee.

[carheex]

Sadly, the modern game no longer affords teams the luxury of throwing in one or two reserves in a bid to get experience and make a claim for a place. The stakes are way too high these to risk dropping the odd point because of inexperienced players. As harsh or controversial as this may sound, we may aswell get rid of the reserves and youths altogether. Our only hope of catching up with the big 3 is to spend - developing simply isn't the answer.

[dww]

Arsenal have at least from reserve level developed a large number of their current team and generate a decent income from those that don't make it. I think your proposal is incredibly short sighted and wrong.

We may well have to use the cup and loans to blood players but I think there is a valuable place for a reserve team and youth setup even in the biggest clubs.

[CJ]

but every good player has to be developed somewhere

[carheex]

Arsenal have at least from reserve level developed a large number of their current team and generate a decent income from those that don't make it. I think your proposal is incredibly short sighted and wrong.

We may well have to use the cup and loans to blood players but I think there is a valuable place for a reserve team and youth setup even in the biggest clubs.

Arsenal have a manager with a proven record of doing that - we don't. It's as simple as.

[carheex]

but every good player has to be developed somewhere

I couldn't agree more. But a top club with ambitions of league titles and european cups isn't the place. We should be concentraing purely on strengthening the 1st team - everything else can wait or we'll be too far behind....if we're not already. We've just had a pretty poor season and realised that a lot of money has been spent on players who just aren't up to it. Throwing in some kids is NOT the answer. Yes, I know ferguson did it but that was a one off freak occurence and not a proven blueprint for success.