I was just using stats to make the point. For 18 months Zaha didn't really do anything. Then for 6 months in a cr@p side under Pardew after MacArthur and Yala got injured he stood out. Then for a full season he was exceptional.

If we got to the prem without him and he came through now he wouldn't play and would have to go out on loan for about 4 years. Would he have the mental strength that requires and temperament to get through that?

We aren't suddenly going to attract the best of south London's youth talent. The ones we do currently have aren't suddenly going to become better than those Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs have scooped up (I think there is an opportunity if we get them instead of them. Keiron Gibbs, Robinsonson etc).

Even the press have said the strategy might rather be buying early 20s European talent or players that haven't made it at big clubs, whether they were bought for millions or academy graduates who've played but haven't held down a place. Again this is what I was referring to in that the big clubs attract the best youth and then they fail because the development at first team stage is underrated. It does require perseverance and the pressure to finish top 4 or whatever is too risky financially.

De Boer changing our academy round in his tenure is a pipe dream and some would do well to realise it. He can set it in motion though. The best way we can turn it round is so the best around choose us over Arsenal or Chelsea. So for us to have success with that 10 year old is 10 years away + the time it takes to get the academy to the level a boy would choose us over them. Us being a stable prem club would help, Chelsea etc paying bribes doesn't.

Anyone who thinks within Frank's stay he's going to change the academy around, he can't. It'll take a long time to get prem graduates who'll make it in prem football.

I remember it very clearly. I even have a recollection that the ball the Argyle nutters dribbled upfield was punctured and a bit on the small side. I guess that enabled them to smuggle it in. By co-incidence I went to two Plymouth away games in two weeks, because the week after the division 3 game at Selhurst, they played in the 1st round of the FA Cup at my then local team Dartford FC, where they nicked it 3-2 with 2 very late goals. THEN I saw them again three weeks later in Plymouth when sadly they beat us in the 2nd round of the cup. I finally got my revenge in the division 3 away game in February when Dave Swindlehurst gave us an unexpected 1-0 win. I wasn't in the away section, so (aged 15) I thought it best not to celebrate!!

Anyway...Frank de Boer - bring it on!!

Again feel that is really harsh on Zaha, done nothing for 18 months yet in that time frame got a move to Utd. Although I think we can agree to disagree on that.

You are completely correct about the time it will take to turn the academy into a future star producing academy. Yet we have to start somewhere and have someone who understands how to set an academy on a path to success.
Also some of the players may not be ready yet but it just needs a brave (or desperate) enough manager to risk playing them. He might be brave enough.

For example - Rashford wasn't anywhere near the Utd first team, through desperation he found himself in the team and now is playing for England. Had things gone to plan he probably would now be on his way to Wigan for free. Similar with Ashley Cole.

Although to believe FdB will turn the academy around and see value in his time at Palace is very unlikely.

It can be good. But don't you think it's going to take quite a while?

Currently there is no grade 1 academy. Just a pitch. To have success you need to get that 10 year old choose us. That's 10 years for him to become a pro plus the years it'll take for us to get the academy operating to a high standard. Those things might matter more than de Boer being manager who the kid may barely ever speak to, and even his dad may not have known as a player. And how long will De Boer stick around for anyway?

Yes it can be improved massively but it's a generation away from attracting the best kids who'll then become professional prem players. But we could buy them in in their later teens.

M

The only thing in my toe is gout.

HOL gives me gout!

So many people see the glass half empty.

Painful on here, painful...