4-6 first teamers in the next 4 years? That's ambitious. I'll be impressed if it's even 2.
Our youth system has improved a lot, but it's still not good enough. And the youngsters aren't getting enough chances under kenny. Spearing is 23 and Kelly is almost 22. These are not youth players anymore. Gerrard, Fowler and Owen started at 17/18. Who of that age is breaking through and getting chances? So far I don't really see anyone. Flanagan and Robinson had a few chances end of last year, but it doesn't seem that they're trusted.
Rafarendum, be fair - Fowler and Owen were exceptional talents from a young age. Those players don't fall out of the air ten a penny.
Youth isn't getting a chance under Kenny?! Are you insane? You may not consider Kelly and Spearing to be young, but I do, and they hadn't had many chances under Rafa and Roy. Kenny came in and gave them both a fair go, and they've both risen to it.
He also put the trust in Flanagan and Robinson to throw them into the first team at the end of last season too. At the time there were injuries to all of our full backs (Kelly, Johnson, Aurelio), and the two lads also done brilliantly. Robinson is currently injured and has been for a while now. Flanagan is 3rd choice between the excellent Johnson and Kelly - and rightly so. I don't see how that equates to 'Kenny not trusting them'. Would you have him drop Johnson and Kelly to give Flanno a game just to prove he trusts him? I think Flanagan should go out on loan this month.
I think we haven't seen many young players making the breakthrough this season yet because ALL of the games are too crucial to be f*cking around. The home draws to lower opposition this season have proven to us that there are no banker-wins and risks with youngsters certainly can't be taken in these games. The League Cup has been taken very seriously because it's imperative that we win some silverware. We have no European competition this season, so we can't test them there.
I would have liked to see more young lads getting a go, but I completely back Kenny's decision to so far not give them that go. Until we have injuries that make it a necessity, then we should continue that, because silverware and 4th place are far too important to be taking gambles with young lads just to prove that they're trusted.
