Perhaps we need to distinguish between youngsters who were with us in the U23s and U18s before we gained Academy status (or it became known we were applying for it) and those who have come in since. Those currently out on loan in the lower leagues (which includes a U23 striker at National League, Torquay!) are players who fit the former category. A number of promising players have joined since last season, including Reece Hannam, who has been on the first team bench for the last 4 games as cover for PvA in Mitchell's absence even though both Schlupp and Riedewald could fill the LB position if required.

To put it in a nutshell, we are now attracting a better quality of youngster and that should provide dividends in future years especially if we can remain in the PL.

A pal I used to work with (former Palace academy player, now playing non league) told me previously that in his opinion, often the difference between Premier League and League 2 is luck and getting the opportunity.

His general frustration is that a lot of youngsters don't get a chance over a foreign import or more established player. If we look at AWB, he would never have got a sniff it it wasn't for an injury crisis. He could be on loan at somewhere like Oldham now if he didn't get the lucky break.

I think back to watching Hiram Boeteng coming on as a sub away at Swansea a few years ago and thought he was great. I don't think he ever got the chance again.

Often you've just got to throw a kid in to see how they cope, will they sink or swim. Some will thrive and take their game up a notch to a new level. Now is the risk free time of the season to take this sort of gamble.

Hopefully the loanees take their opportunity. I have heard the argument before and any player needs a bit of luck and fortune and be in the right set up , I always wonder what might have happened had Johnny William been at the Man City academy he might have ended up with a completely career. We have never known how to use his type of player
Makes a nice story that AWB was plucked from obscurity and he may have got his opportunity because of injury but he was being talked about at the time as potential, I remember reading an interview with Richard Shaw saying he was doing well against Wilf in training, he wanted to go on loan in the January of the season he made his debut but was convinced to stay. An article from the time [Link] forgot he went out to Hong Kong and played well.

One supporter of hacking argued that without it "you will do away with the courage and pluck of the game, and I will be bound to bring over a lot of Frenchmen who would beat you with a week's practice -Blackheath secretary at first meeting of the F.A

Anybody seen him play?

Only on CPFC video in a recent U23 game against runaway leaders Leeds. He scored the opening goal although credit for it goes to Spence and Hale who between them created the chance for him. He looked OK, but the fact he was moved up from the U18 squad to play in the U23s suggests the coaches rated him. He was subbed at half time in his most recent U23 outing in the defeat at Reading. I didn't see that game, so don'[t know why he came off.

For every Egbo there is a Jadon Sancho or Jude Bellingham who did move to Germany and have done well out there