As we said on the PodCast (I think) I don't agree with it. Start Basalaj he's the keeper on the clubs books and at least as good as Spoonley. If we're playing Spoonley we should be starting Imray instead (if he has NZ residency sorted) as he is the best keeper in the ASB Premiership.
If you're taking a punt, take a punt on the keeper at the club.
It would completely undermine the school of excellence programme.
Guys have to go into the programme knowing they will get opportunities.
If it all blows up well that's the way it goes. He's 18 - it's not
like he's an absolute kid
I'm pretty sure Basalaj not getting promoted for one game won't completely undermine the school of excellence programme. Especially when two of the initial intake got pro contracts within a few months, and at least a couple of others will play in this game anyway.
Agree that I would prefer to see Basalaj play ahead of Spoonley though.
What I'm saying is that if you can still be back up
for the Phoenix playing in the ASB Prem why would you join the centre of
excellence?
I think signing the 2 young guys
is great - but that could have happened without COE - it's what the
youth spots should have been used for anyway. Personally I think the
success of the programme has to be how many of those who are in it now
end up with professional contracts next year and/or the year after.
Unless he's not fit (which it seems he may not be), I think you just have to play him
Why join the academy? Because you could train in a professional environment and actually get a pro contract (as Fenton and Boyd have done) while still playing ASB Prem. Isn't that obvious? Spoonley is only in the frame because 2 goalkeepers are away with the All Whites and the FFA won't postpone the game. It's an exceptional circumstance and yes, he may have got the nod over Basalaj but Basalaj is in the academy because he has potential, not because he's the finished product.
Signing players from the ASB Prem didn't really happen without the academy. The academy has clearly provided an environment in which the Nix feel more comfortable evaluating the suitability of players for professional football (which is about a hell of a lot more than just their ability on the pitch).
I agree that the succes of the academy will be partly about how many players go on to play professionally a) for the Nix and b) for someone else. And at least two of the initial intake of eight will have pro contracts at the end of that time frame (Fenton and Boyd). 25% isn't a bad success rate to start out with when it can only get better. Of course, that only makes it tougher for the rest to get contracts at the Nix. It will be interesting to see if any of the others can pick up pro contracts elsewhere off the back of their academy experience, even if it requires a move back to the ASB Prem or Aussie state leagues first.
Signing players from the ASB Prem didn't really happen without the academy. The academy has clearly provided an environment in which the Nix feel more comfortable evaluating the suitability of players for professional football (which is about a hell of a lot more than just their ability on the pitch).
I agree that the succes of the academy will be partly about how many players go on to play professionally a) for the Nix and b) for someone else. And at least two of the initial intake of eight will have pro contracts at the end of that time frame (Fenton and Boyd). 25% isn't a bad success rate to start out with when it can only get better. Of course, that only makes it tougher for the rest to get contracts at the Nix. It will be interesting to see if any of the others can pick up pro contracts elsewhere off the back of their academy experience, even if it requires a move back to the ASB Prem or Aussie state leagues first.
JD - I understand your natural prediliction to play devil's advocate, and it is very early days, but it's hard not to call the academy anything but a raging success at the moment. The Spoonley/Basalaj scenario doesn't undermine that at all. It's just a one-off exception, nothing more (and Basalaj having the squirts makes it moot anyway).