And it sounds like he only got that gig because Nick Haycock (who's one of the few people that Dad mentions in a positive fashion) is Assistant Manager and used to work with him at West Ham...

Still he looks ok on the obligatory highlight video...

I think it's a bit of both.I have absolutely no experience with football academies apart from meeting 1 or 2 people who have played in them,but I do know what agents are like and how political football can be.It can be a case of "it's who you know."


This could be true but then the same would probably happen in the rest of the world where managerial sackings are also common.Germany and Brazil, for example,are still able to produce a lot of top players.

Have to disagree here from what I know (and see).

At AFC Wimbledon, our sessions for our foundation phase age groups are superb. We stick to our core beliefs and principles but structure our sessions to allow as much player ownership as possible to enhance our players decision making at a young age.

Are we actually producing better footballers from these acadamies? The England teams performances would suggest otherwise.

I am with Billyd on the travelling aspect - it is too much at those early ages and staying in a local house as such a young age - Bollocks to that.

So the acedemy guy blamed Allardyce - that looks a smokescreen as recommendations would have come from the academy I would expect.

Getting agents at such a young age is poor - unfortunately the structure and pressure for teams to be perform that is in place means that youn talent is mostly overlooked and established players from other countries are purchased instead.

Completely agree. The only problem on that front would be from parents on match days!

What do you do at Wimbledon? Assume you have b licence what fa did you do yours?

Head Coach of the Under 11's; I hold my B; did it through the London FA two years ago.