Quote: sally cinnamon "You don't win any prizes for 'numbers of academy players brought through'
We've won 3 Challenge Cups, a league leaders shield and made 2 Grand Finals in the past four years. Had Monaghan and Ratchford not got injured we would have won on Saturday too.'"
I quite agree, as a club, we don't get much back from the numbers taken through to SL standard. But it should represent a pyramid of talent, and the more at the bottom of the pyramid should mean more quality players coming through in total. It also means that every now and again we might unearth a Tomkins at the top. And its no coincidence that our two closest rivals have a strong track record in bringing through young players.
Unfortunately, the days of popping over to Oz and picking up a Matt King or Chris Hicks are gone. Our current new signings are England, Asotasi and Penny - two Championship players, and one Aussie that has not exactly had the faithful drooling in anticipation. They may do well, but we are not signing proven talent at the top of their game.
Where are these replacement players going to come from that are going to keep us in the top four ?