The Academy.....

[carheex]

Regarding the "success" of the Academy, who were the last players to come through the ranks successfully and could claim to be a regular in the first team?

The amount of money that goes into this place compared to what actually comes out the other end surely doesn't justify it's existence, does it?

[Scratch]

Did Insua spend time at the acadamy, or was he bought and placed in the reserves?

Other than that, we are probably looking at Owen. Warnock may have come through the acadamy too, but could not be called a success. Ditto Guthrie.

[Reece]

Well the fact that it has received a large overhaul recently would suggest Rafa isn't too happy with it's results either. Now that has been done, it needs to be given time to produce (or not) before your closing statement is proved correct or incorrect really.

Anyway, without studying the figures for the expenditure compared to the money received for the likes of Hammill it is pretty difficult to answer your question.

[knockers]

Gerrard came through (I think, or did he just miss it? I can't remember) If you can put a value on Gerrard against the cost of running the academy then I'm sure it's been a good investment.

As Reece has already mentioned it's been overhauled last year and some of the youngsters bought in over the Rafa rein should start to make an impact now if they are good enough of course.

[red g]

Regarding the "success" of the Academy, who were the last players to come through the ranks successfully and could claim to be a regular in the first team?

The amount of money that goes into this place compared to what actually comes out the other end surely doesn't justify it's existence, does it?

even if it didnt bring through succesfull footballers i imagine it has a positive effect on the community and a lot of the lads that go there.

[Darkon]

even if it didnt bring through succesfull footballers i imagine it has a positive effect on the community and a lot of the lads that go there.

But even though we don't get first team regulars, the sales of youngsters to the championship, and the leagues - and occationally other PL-teams - must surely pay for large parts of the investment?

[dom9]

Did Insua spend time at the acadamy, or was he bought and placed in the reserves?

Other than that, we are probably looking at Owen. Warnock may have come through the acadamy too, but could not be called a success. Ditto Guthrie.

How many games did Warnock play for us?

If it was more than 100, I would call that a success. A regular in the first team, plus a transfer fee is good I think, if not spectacular.

[Reece]

How many games did Warnock play for us?

If it was more than 100, I would call that a success. A regular in the first team, plus a transfer fee is good I think, if not spectacular.

I see someone (can't remember who - Villa perhaps?) is linked with buying him from Blackburn, but they are demanding more than the £8m offered... interesting to know if we get anything of the sell on fee.

[dom9]

I see someone (can't remember who - Villa perhaps?) is linked with buying him from Blackburn, but they are demanding more than the £8m offered... interesting to know if we get anything of the sell on fee.

Every penny helps, it seems.

[BrianF80]

How many games did Warnock play for us?

If it was more than 100, I would call that a success. A regular in the first team, plus a transfer fee is good I think, if not spectacular.

67 games all in.

Gerrard was the last success and he made his debut in 1998!!!!!!!!

[Scratch]

How many games did Warnock play for us?

If it was more than 100, I would call that a success. A regular in the first team, plus a transfer fee is good I think, if not spectacular.

Fair point with regards to his worth i guess, but as a Liverpool player, i don't think he can be considered a success...Gerrard is a success, Owen is a success, Carra is a success...Warnock wasn't good enough for us, but was still a premiership player...success...i guess...successful Liverpool player, i don't.

[red g]

what do people expect from our academy?

we are one of the top four clubs in the country and as such to be in our first team squad you must be one of the top players in the country or vrononin.

We have produced a few top level footballers, just not top level enough to make it with us. I dont think there is a central midfielder in the world who could have come though our academy the last few years and got a starting spot, its not just about talent, its about luck and being in the right place at the right time.

and going back to the original poster apart from the point i mentioned about community spirit, it would also be nice for Rafa to have a shot at seeing if he can make it run better before we put up the for sale signs!!

[red g]

Fair point with regards to his worth i guess, but as a Liverpool player, i don't think he can be considered a success...Gerrard is a success, Owen is a success, Carra is a success...Warnock wasn't good enough for us, but was still a premiership player...success...i guess...successful Liverpool player, i don't.

i think he should be regarded as a success for the Academy,


I think if you bear in mind that Academies up and down the countries must have thousands of kids on there books who dont, to play 67 times for us is pretty impressive

[CJ]

what is a success? and have any of the top 4 clubs acadamies proven to be a success?

it is now harder to get in the first teams of the big 4 so you are not likely to get groups of players coming through

[DannyMan2006]

For a start Liverpool Football Club is a very important institution in the local community and it's Academy is a big plus factor, inspiring many youngsters to stay of the streets and work towards a positive lifestyle. The duty of the Academy is not just about making quality footballers, first and foremost it is their duty to make each person they have contact with a better well rounded individual.

Secondly I suggest you take the likes of McManaman, Fowler, Gerrard, Carragher and Owen and think how much it would have cost Liverpool to buy such world class players. All have been regulars in the first team and all have been in numerous England squads. Then you can also look at the players on the next rung down, such as Hutchinson, Wright, Warnock, Guthrie, Matteo and others who also played games with Liverpool or made a nice profit.

I think if you add all that up it would more than off set the price of running the Academy. It is obvious that as of late the Academy has not been a success, though I would say the improvememt of our squad has made life more difficult for younger players to break through. But Rafa has looked at all this and has done a complete overhall of the system.

And just think, if it did all go belly up for us financially, being able to bring through a bright crop of youngsters would probably save us from disaster.