I am confident in David Clowes; that he knows what he's doing. So while I was very surprised and disappointed to learn of Wassall's leaving and to read the rather vague Club statement giving reasons, I feel I have to hope that something better is in the pipeline.
Our Academy was ravaged during administration and we urgently need a big intake of youngsters to replenish, especially the U 21s. So I'm hoping we will take on a recruitment specialist/manager for the Academy who can fill the bill.
It was heartening to learn that the Club wants to retain its current Academy status and it's vital to have a fine Academy if we are to be sustainable. I know some on here have criticised the Academy for failing to produce any real stars and that may be justifiable if the sole aim has been/ is to find players capable ultimately of gracing the Prem but right now I'm thinking that the following have proved the real worth of our Academy so far - Hughes, Hendrick, Knight, Sibley, Bird, Ebiowe, Ebosele, Plange, Watson, Williams, Brown, and there may well be more I've temporarily forgotten.
So should we be worried re Wassall's leaving or will things get even better?
Wassall and the Academy
posted on 25/5/23
Afternoon Chicago,
I for one am sorry to see Darren Wassall and his team leave. His time with us has been very rewarding when you look at the number of Academy players developed ( but unfortunately not necessarily seen blossom in the first XI, players such as Delap and Gordon coming to mind.) We certainly have been blessed in recent years.
My thoughts are it is perhaps time to start a fresh hence why he's being allowed to move on, Warne has his own footballing philosophy and it could be that it doesn't match that of Wassall's.
Wassall has been rewarded with some gifted players in recent years aided by the Rooney/Rosenior factor whereby we've managed to recruit talented players released by PL clubs. I don't remember that happening as much in years gone by. My personal impression or possibly hope is that under Warne we'll be recruiting players with a more driven, hardworking ethic in the Bucko mould. Most certainly very welcome.
My only worry and one that I've thought about for a while is that perhaps under this coaching team we may not develop as many exciting players (the Hughes, Ebosele, Sibley when he's switched on type) but may see more defenders and defensive midfielders emerging from within. Or that fewer Academy players will make it into the first team. There's nothing to validate those thoughts so here's to what the next couple of years brings, I know it's going to be an exceptionally slow process considering our Academy has been decimated due to the Administration saga.
My two nephews are on Derby's books and at 11 and 9 years of age have a few years to go before making their debut for DCFC.
posted on 25/5/23
Hi Desi - I've only just dragged myself out of bed after covid booster and shingles jabs yesterday so not feeling too chipper.
Thanks for your thoughts and reminding me about Delap and Gordon. The list gets even better!
I'm just surprised you are the only responder so far as this, for me, is a very important topic. Every half decent club must have a good Academy.
Good luck to your nephews!
posted on 25/5/23
End of season. Only the real, deep, football thinkers will be posting
Speedy recovery from the jabs, they can leave you feeling groggy for 48 hrs.
posted on 25/5/23
Thanks Desi. I've never been called a real deep thinker before!
I should maybe have made it clear that the shingles jab was the first. I gather it's the later second one which can be the real problem.
posted on 25/5/23
Some have questioned the value of the Academy and I think it is fair to question whether it is worth the money. Personally I think it is. Administration killed us. Delap and Gordon are potentially worth tens of millions in the future. Kellyman is another that comes to mind. There are others we have never even heard of but who were snapped up by the top six at age of 15 or similar. We were on the verge of it bearing the kind of fruit that could have been made a huge difference to the future financial stabilty and growth of the club. It was Morris' dream and but for his ego and general nuttiness it would have happened.
I don't know the inside story of Wassall but I have a contact there and will try to find out the reason for the parting of the ways. I have faith in Clowes and I am sure he sees the Academy as a priority. I don't know how that aligns with Warne's ideas though.
posted on 25/5/23
Question - is the leaving at the instigation of Clowes or Warne?
posted on 26/5/23
comment by Chicagoram (U22653)
posted 12 hours, 57 minutes ago
Question - is the leaving at the instigation of Clowes or Warne?
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Or maybe even Wassalls, for a variety of reasons ?
He has had a lower outward profile for some while.
Be interesting now to see what happens to Pat Lyons, Adam Robinson and Bucko , to see how deep any 'new philosophy' goes.
posted on 29/5/23
I'm sorry Wassall has gone. After teaching young lads to play football it must have disappointed him to have to train lads to hoof the ball up field.
I don't like the way the academy is going. It produced among others Will Hughes who scored with a brilliant header yesterday against Notts Forest.
posted on 18/7/23
Bradley Johnson now U21 coach. Hope he isn't coaching them to pass a ball otherwise the game will be like pin ball.