The problem with under23's at our level is that by the time a player gets to 20/21, if they haven't made it into the first team then its unlikely they ever will. So the under23's team is essentially an under18's team with maybe 3 or 4 max 19 year olds in it.

Far better that these lads are loaned out to non league teams and they get to play 'proper football'. Bridging the gap between under18's to under23's is very costly, the higher up you go in the leagues the more benefit having one (23's team) is though obviously.

You mention Exeter - just googled them - not sure if its accurate but if it is then they don't exactly play many fixtures! https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/exeter-city-u23/40148/

Essentially, there is a gap at our level (generally) where a player that gets to 19 and isn't quite good enough for first team, hasn't anywhere to go within the youth structure. So he basically has to go out on loan. This season those feeder leagues all stopped early after hardly playing, and that has been the case now for 15 months so its become a real problem, very much caused by Covid. Will be more like 18 months when the season re-starts, thats almost a generation of young pro's that are struggling to progress for no fault of their own.

You may get a business/s to sponsor it, but that would only be money they'd have spent sponsoring something else at the club. So no extra revenue would be generated, as such. Just a cost base added for very little potential benefit.

I've seen reports that Sunderland are looking at a couple of our young lads, but Sunderland (league1 they may well be) are a totally different level to us financially so its non comparable. They were in the prem not too long ago.

I don't think the issue is with our academy as such, more a case that short termism is always a key element to decision making by whoever the manager is. Chuck didn't even start yesterday, no idea why not, but unless these prospects are given a run in the first team then they will never 'make it' with us. Its almost like we need to have a policy where the manager has to pick 2 academy lads in the starting line up! Because they will always go for the tried and tested players, even if they are not performing well.

A classic example is Ivan Toney. Wilder stuck by Sinclair right until half time against Pompey, 2.5 games before the season ended. He'd been useless for weeks yet kept getting picked. Toney was finally given his chance, the rest as they say is history. If Sinclair had tapped in a goal that half v Pompey, he would have no doubt played at Dagenham and we'd most likely of gone down!!

Why's Bolger been on the bench in recent weeks, when Max Dyche hasn't?

Im not critising Brady by the way, either. I just 'don't really get it'. We have ALWAYS favoured old expensive donkeys over our own prospects whoever has been the manager. Im not saying we should take risks or play kids for the sake of it, but when you've got subs that are never going to come onto the pitch unless we get an injury/sending off, then I see no point why they are even on the bench. Those sub spots would surely be better taken by young prospects?

Sorry for the long post, Ill get back to my day job now! 

Agree with the first bit but it is crucial to give these young players time to develop. Like in any sport, different players will develop at different rates. I still think an U23's is serving its purpose if we know by the age of 21, whether or not, a player is going to make it or not. If you are going to send young players on loan, the club needs to have some input in this, rather than leave it to the first team manager. I trust JB to do the right thing but that can't be said for all managers. I agree about Toney. Was at the game when Sinclair ducked out of scoring into an empty net. To be fair to Wilder, to a point, a lot of other managers still wouldn't have bought Toney on in the 2nd half of that game.

Over the last couple of years we have seen a number of promising young players be offered pro terms. Some of those went on to make appearances for the first team, only for them to be released at the end of their contract.

Jay Williams is a prime example. A lot of fans felt he would go on to become a good player for us. But he then gets released.

We all know that the club aren't made of money and so the playing budget has to be used wisely. There is no room to give these youngsters enough time to prove themselves. With an under 23's or similar, we would be able to give these players more time to make the step up to the first team.

Sean McWilliams only managed to break through because the then chairman gave extra money, outside of the playing budget, to keep him at the club.

I doubt the club have the budget to create this step but without it I don't see how we will see improvements to the play pathway that will see more players breaking through to the first team and then staying in it.

Couldn't agree more with this. The above managed to get picked up by another L2 club so will probably play against us next season. When Coventry were skint they kept their U23's going as they are sponsored by local businesses. Isn't there anyone at our club who can find local businesses to sponsor an U23's? If not, why not? How do the likes of Exeter do it?

I thought these were behind closed doors Friendlies which is similar I suppose but not a structured league.

Yes, behind closed doors, usually Moulton.

Do reserve leagues still exist? Enjoyed some big reserve games with 4-5k attendances. Seeing David Seal scoring a few and still not get picked on the Saturday.

NTFC still play these but only a handful a season. Most against local rivals like Cambridge and MK.

Out of interest could you give us some examples? I've had a look and other than the U23s Premier league I'm not finding anything useful.. I think Coventry do, but then i'd not put them as a similar size club.
Cheers

Yes, Coventry have one. They have been very good at raising funding from local businesses to support theirs. Two of the nearest ones to us are MK Dons and Peterborough. Stevenage did have one but maybe that's changed because of financial problems. A lot of teams in the lower leagues do have an U23's. As already mentioned, Exeter have had fantastic success producing players for the first team and selling some of them on.

Is the issue really the differences in style of play between academy and first team or that there isn’t a Under 23’s or reserve team anymore to allow a better transition from youth to first team?

Sunderland are looking at Johnstone and the other young lad for their Under 23’s NOT their first team.

Arguably the Cobblers don’t have room in the first team budget to give all our promising youngsters pro deals. While clubs like Sunderland and Cardiff, who do have that transition system set up, as well as a larger budget, are able to take more risks and give young players more time to develop.

Just a thought that there is more to it than just who is in charge of the first team and recruitment.

Not having an U23s is a massive problem. Clubs with similar budgets - or in some cases less - do have U23s. Comes down to how money is spent.

If JB gets job he may well give Roberts and Pollock another year. Not sure what injury Pollock had, and whether he is over it or not, but he has shown he can play at L2 level with the right players around him. It would also help balance the playing budget. Need to strengthen the core with right, experienced players so a few cheaper, up-and-coming options, is always a good thing. Maybe JB will sign one or two nuggets from non-league. He knows those leagues really well.

Yes, b & S. The changes may indicate JB as he said he wanted them before taking the job. I hope so.

Interesting that KT mentions disconnect between academy and first team. I've been saying this for some time. The academy/ youth team are trained to play good football. The formation is consistent through the age groups. There is no point having a first-team manager that plays direct like KC. This would make JB a good choice because he would have the same formation/ style of play. If not him, someone with same principles. This is a step in the right direction but should have been made some years ago. Other issues exist within the structure but hopefully these will also be addressed.

Thought JB, MR and Sammo overachieved with what they had, injuries and near unplayable pitch. Hope JB is given chance and backing next season. The infrastructure, as it stands, is a huge handicap to whoever takes over next season.

I don't know how much it will take to pay KT what he thinks he's due but it really is time for him to go. The council should not concede any land to get the stadium finished. Thanks again to him saving the club but please sell.

I'm very grateful for KT saving the club but it would be in all our interests if he sold up. Set a realistic price to cover some of his loses but forget about cashing in on any redevelopment. The club isn't being run very well and really needs a new direction. 

I would keep Brady. With his own players we will play better football in league 2. If we're promoted it will better equip us to stay up. We need a change of ethos. It's all a bit 'Groundhog Day' with us struggling to stay in League One with every attempt. The sort of football we played last season [if you can call it that] can get you promoted out of League 2 but is far less effective above that level. You can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results.  

Give JB a chance if he wants it. Let him bring in his own players for next season. He doesn't stand a chance with what he's inherited, but I believe he will be competitive next season and we will play better football. 

There has been a disconnect between academy and senior team for years. We create good footballers but often have someone in charge of the first team who only has the ability to play direct. There is an opportunity to change this; otherwise, the same cycle will continue to repeat itself. I would not appoint a new manager until at least the Summer. Let's see how the new team go. As long as there is no friction over who is top dog - and I don't think there will be - this might be the start of something most of us are craving: a team that plays attractive football and gives chances to the young players the club creates.   

I think I grasp yr sentiments but assume from your comments that Taylor was ok and good with some young players? If so some on here might have to reconsider their judgement on Taylor. Or did I detect a note of sarcasm?

No sarcasm. He was a very positive influence to one pr two in particular and has offered help in the future, if required.

Won't get rid of (not so) Junior Morais on his birthday! 

Neither Williams or Morais were particularly happy last season. Still think they will both go if they can find clubs.

I saw enough of Taylor over the past two seasons and thought he played well in quite a few games. When we have a disappointing season many of us throw our toys out big time and then find somebody to blame. Can understand the criticism though but some of it is OTT and bigoted. As to whether Goode is better than Taylor is a bit of a bold statement; for example Goode picked some pretty silly bookings. He looked at times what he was ' a L2 defender' with not a great deal of finesse! Dont mind the 'ugly' side he can exhibit when necessary.

OTT indeed. If you flipped his 2 seasons so last season was the better one, how would he be viewed now? All I can say is that he was a very positive influence on some of the younger players last season and never let his own situation get in the way of that.

It was a terrible touch by Goode which gave Hughes no chance.

Spot on! Find it worrying when a young player gets blamed when being put in that position.

That’s the players who contributed to 2+ seasons of complete mediocrity - they will be greatly missed. Also, if KC is such an ogre then how come Nicky Adams jumped at the chance to play for him again - he doesn’t exactly strike me as a shrinking violet in the dressing room?

Not a criticism from me of the current manager. Just making the point that we won't care if successful. That's football. But I wish AT well and hope he recovers his form. He's a good guy besides stupidly getting involved in run-ins with certain fans.