Academy

[Dave Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm hopeful that the American investment will help things. We'll see.

Appreciate all of those concerns, and this is the main issue in my opinion. It's all dependent on that deal. Tackling any of the problems you mention will involve expenditure that would then be undone within a year or two of the deal going through. So it makes sense to hold off and wait for the new financial situation to become clear before we start spending money.

No doubt that some kind of investment will be destined for the academy - and no doubt our ability to produce cheap young talent will appeal to the new investors. You have to assume that the end goal is a category one facility. So it wouldn't surprise me if these issues persist for another year or two while we find a solution.

I think your inference that the academy is being scorned or thrown under the bus is a little bit dramatic... The infrastructure problem is a fact of life, one that the club inherited. Parish and Pardew are making all the right noises to suggest that there is a long-term plan to fix it. Money is coming in and our values are still in the right place, with a clear path into the first team. Hopefully it's a matter of time before we hear more. But clearly there is very very little that can be done in the meantime.

[Uswortheagle]

I have a feeling that there will be a considerable amount of eating Humble Pie in the future re investment in the academy and facilities.

[Gazza2]

Deleted.

[Woosie]

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

[Random*]

Originally Posted by PhuketEagle

Pardew said as much in a recent interview, intimating that our different approach could give us an advantage...only time will tell, you're right.

Just listened to that and it was a curious phrasing:

"We're trying to put things together, me and Steve Parish, to have a youth development system here that is different to everyone else. There's news to come on that hopefully."

Other than that, he seems very keen to bring players through and to put everything in place to make that happen.

Equally Parish has spoken about the academy passionately very recently, so I really do believe that there is a plan to make it a pillar of the club.

[AndyStreet]

Originally Posted by Biggineagle

Sounds like woosies after a job at the Palace.

Unfair and unnecessary comment.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

Please don't - you're an invaluable resource!

[dilem]

Originally Posted by Dave Hedgehog

Please don't - you're an invaluable resource!

This, its appreciated by most woosie.

[sci-dogg]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

Your insight is invaluable and appreciated by all serious readers, especially those who would like to get to more academy fixtures but can't. If you're going to be active on an internet forum you have to encounter the occasional wind up merchant! Don't be so sensitive !

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

Hope you carry on posting Woosie.

I very rarely post anything on the BBS, but i do look out for and read Academy updates and postings from yourself and Gazza2. It is much appreciated.

I suspect there a few people like myself in that respect

[Shoreditch CPFC]

Originally Posted by AndyStreet

Unfair and unnecessary comment.

Also made no sense. Why be so critical if you want a job?

[Shoreditch CPFC]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

That's a shame. I certainly value your input.

[Payney]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

Ignore the haters Pal. Yourself and Gazza do a grand job keeping people informed about youth matters both good and bad.

[Harry Holmesdale]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

Why?

Ignore the haters mate, keep posting, its the only way I keep up with the youth set up

[the drexciyan]

Ignore the wanker Woosie, you're an invaluable and appreciated source of information on the Academy. Hope you can continue to post updates.

[MFBias]

Seems Woosie's dangle worked, maybe with this little ego boost he can get back to being the self appointed acedemy expert. Or will he ignore my wind up?

Dont make empty threats you love the acedemy and many posters including myself value your dedication to go to the games and give us the information, so if it's gratitude you are looking for, well done. There are alot of twats on here who can only fight debate with rudeness, its seems we can only ignore them.

[Sp1Eagle]

La Liga Promises tournament in Miami today.

There are 17 teams at the tournament. They are Real Madrid, Atletico, Sevilla, Celta, Barcelona, Villarreal, Valencia, Dortmund, Juventus, Crystal Palace, Aspire Academy, Sagan Tosu, Chicago Fire, Orlando City, Weston, Club America and Estudiantes.

Highlights of our U12's vs Barcelona.

[Pistol Knight]

Thanks for that great watch
The difference in style even at that age is noticeable!
Our keeper made some great saves as well

what an experience for those youngsters

[Martin H]

Thought our young keeper did remarkably well for his size. Size unfortunately makes a major difference at that age and their number 7 looked twice the size and about the same level of difference with maturity vs our lot. Their smallest player looked interesting too.

Fascinating and it would be great to have a crystal ball now on their futures.

[Sick Bucket]

Originally Posted by Woosie

I'm going to take a break from posting anything on here about the academy.

Please don't, seriously I think 99% of people on here really appreciate your posts, there's always a few that feel the need to make snide comments, **** em.

On a totally different note, I went to see Margate v Maidstone yesterday and really enjoyed it, decent standard too but where's that lad we got from them? can't think of his name right now but wasn't he on loan at Cambridge? Anyone know how he's getting on?