I'd like to see this lad given a try in the First team squad.
Last week, he hit five goals, two against Swindon in the EFL and three against Spurs in an U.21 fixture.
I accept that those oppositions are a world away from the standard in the Premiership, BUT:
We don't have an obviously successful target man. I thought Mateta was very poor against Brentford and Edouard, although an improvement, looks unlikely to score many.
What is the point of having an Academy if you don't promote players who do well in it? With respect to the likes of Rob Street, I doubt he'll ever be a Premiership standard striker. Whatever he learns at Shrewsbury, the chances are that he will end up leading the line at somewhere like Sutton United, or somewhere in the National League. The problem is that players of his calibre are only good enough to make the standard at clubs that don't have the money to buy. So they depart as free transfers and whatever Palace has spent developing them is never recouped. Some clubs: Citeh, Chelsea, seem to be able to use their academies to make money. I believe we paid £20m for Marc Guehi without his having started a Premiership match for Chelsea. If you don't give youngsters a chance in the First team, what is the point of having an Academy? We have Wan-Bissaka and Mitchell to show for how many years and how much money developing talent?

I tend to agree and have said it before. Where exactly do 18 year old wonderkids come from if you never play them? I find some of our first teamers so mediocre it couldn't be much worse to try a youngster. Our Centre forwards are a classic example of that. Bring the lad on at 60 if we're two nil up or two nil behind. Of he's good - we've unearthed a valuable gem. If he's rubbish - back to the academy. Little harm done.
I would try our youngsters but obviously not if it's a major risk.

Red and Blue Army!

He has been playing as a left winger for the academy this season and he seems to be on fire at the minute bagging goals for fun. Good pace, dribbling and finishing, not sure he is a target man mind you. Oddly he is getting a fair few assists from Omalibu who is playing as a right winger and not a centre forward.

Last season was off the boil somewhat from him in terms of goals and even playing time, which was odd considering he made the bench under Hodgson for a few first team games the season before that.

For me, with 9 players on the bench and 5 subs you would want a player performing in the academy, and potentially giving game time. This will happen you’d think if he maintains his current performance level.

Edited by rossboss29 (05 Sep 2022 4.09pm)

Personally as a supporter who was introduced to Palace in 79 and experienced the 'team of the eighties' concept with its strong intake of academy players I'm rather wedded to the idea of a strong academy for its own sake.

I understand the argument that this can represent an investment that costs more than it produces and I agree that variance in intakes can sometimes border on the negative but nevertheless I think it comes down to club self identity.

I agree with Parish that this is the way that Palace should be as a club, whether we become a top side, stay mid to lower table or fall back into the championship.

Edited by Stirlingsays (05 Sep 2022 5.21pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Here you go
[Link]

He took his goals Well but the Spurs' defence was awful. He is pretty short but muscular and has very good foot skills.Think half way between Messi and Benteke! The latter missed a penalty in his first DC United game BTW. Game finished 0-0

That was a team of a lifetime, though. The winning Youth Cup finals featured players the quality of Sansom, Fenwick, Gilbert, Nicholas, Murphy. MacKenzie and Hilaire. Some people might have three of those in an all-time top Palace X!