Quote: Zoo Zoo Boom "The golden era was based on the progression of academy players through into the first team squad not filling the squad with average Championship players. Most of those academy players played in the first team by the time they were 20. Broadbent is a utility back who could play wing and centre and as such is better player than either Hooley or Ruan. Walker is on a different planet to Hooley - why he can't stay fit needs to better understood. McDonald is an average centre who has significant defensive issues. Both Ruan and Roberts starting at Bradford says it all - what was the score at Keighley? Even the coach said picking Ruan&Tindall was a mistake. The best signing for me is McDonnell who came from Wigan - no suprise there a SL youngster progressing'"
The games changed from when the goldens came through. Throwing kids out to play every week at 18 is (rightly in my opinion) seen as the wrong way to go. And even back then the likes of McGuire and Burrow didn’t play every game. In reality there was always plenty of ‘squad’ players. Whether you’re talking Dunneman or Millard, or later on with the likes of Kirke, Worrall, Ambler. Our best squads have always had depth, some of which is from the academy but some were from other clubs or the championship.
For me this squad is the closest we’ve come in a while to getting the balance right. Some of the overseas quota just needs addressing now.
