team v leeds

Some real interesting views on here, it's a shame it's hidden away in a thread about a team to face Leeds on boxing day.....maybe a mod with a bit of time on their hands could merge a thread together for academy past, present and future.....sure it would generate interesting debate as it has on here....?

I've a few thoughts/points to throw into the mix......

Firstly....I think in an ideal World we would all absolutely love to see a Wakefield team dominated by our own homegrown youngsters.....it worked superbly for Leeds and just recently for Wigan. Without any question of a doubt that is the way to go long term. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this one of the main things pointed out by the new regime, as a target to work towards a number of years down the line, hopefully playing out of Newmarket?

It clearly can't happen overnight....we need to start again and throwing big money at young players like Kaye, who although looks a real promising talent, still isn't proven in the top flight, isn't the way to go IMO.....taking a chance with youngsters like that can only happen when we are in a much stronger position squad wise and financially....I don't think we can criticise the people in charge at present though because with the new scholarship scheme and the way it's been set up they are clearly looking towards packing our team with hopefully quality youngsters in the near future.....

I've watched a lot of academy over the last 10-15 years or so and seen some quality young players go on to do great things in the game.....I've also seen what I thought to be real promising players disappoint and not kick on.....why is that, I honestly don't know? I am a firm believer though, if you're going to be a top quality player who will go right to the top then I don't think any club will hold you back.....I still think the likes of Ellis, Westwood, Brough would still have gone on to be the great players they are even if they had stayed with us their whole career.....the big thing for us in the future is trying to make them want to stay together as a team with us and challenge for trophies.....

A real good crop coming through the same year is such a rarity....just look at the excellent Leeds team that produced the likes of Maguire....Burrow.....Diskin....etc......we pushed them all the way that year and a couple of ours went on to do ok......how many times since have the power of Leeds brought that many quality players through to the first team at the same time.....Going back to players who look the business but don't kick on.....how good was Tommy Haughey that season!!....he was the best player in that league I saw by far....and that includes Leeds....he never made it like he should have though....was that Wakefields fault....I'm not so sure.....

Going back to our most recent successful side.....they were absolutely fantastic....playing great rugby and beat everything that was put in front of them.....we haven't beared the fruits as much as we possibly thought we could but we still have 4 of that squad in Annekin, Walshaw, Wildie and Trout....all who will have plenty of chances next season to establish themselves.....I see tryscorer bigs that team up because they beat the supposed best....beating Wigan in the final.....how many of that Wigan team are strutting their stuff in Super League at present though and doing better than our 4 in the first team squad? Should we criticise Wigan on that front? One of their best players in their team that year was Jon Molloy....look how he turned out.....that surely is another indication that a lot is on the player himself whether he steps up to the top level??

Keep the faith though because I'm sure that is the vision of those currently in charge.....a team made up of mostly homegrown players wearing the shirt with pride...it's what we all want.....our journey starts soon....