Jeff Vader wrote:
MetalLegNZ wrote:
We have 3 u20 spots to fill next year.
Play a 18 year old and see if he has the potential for one of these spots. We are never going to know if our youngest have the potential to step up if they don't get given a chance.
With due respect to the Phoenix and all the structures they have put in place, they will know cause the filters are already in place via the academy, then Weenix in the ASBP and then training with the 1st team. Its a sure bet that if you fail at one of those levels, you wont be getting a tap on the shoulder for a contract. Its primarily why DiMairos and Blakes names have been mentioned cause they have been performing at one of those levels (along with Stevens). The Phoenix will have identified a small pool of those players to pick for u20 spots for next year already I suspect rather than wait until June and go 'Right, who is next?'. At the very least those players will have been told that they are being watched with an eye for the future and feedback on how they are going relative to that.
Throwing them in the deep end is not the answer at all but I do get what you are saying. I think they need to prove it on the training park FIRST not just 'Here's a shirt son, way you go'.
Agree with this, players need to play time off the bench to acclimatise to the league before making a full 90min debut against one of the best teams in the league no less